DIY version of a bias tape maker

I have one of those cool bias tape makers. I'm sure you've seen them and the impressive results they produce. I bet many of you even have experienced such results. Not me. I've been a little embarrassed to say, I couldn't do it. I couldn't get mine to work. Then it happened. The proverbial light bulb went off and it became shamefully obvious why. You see, I have the 1/2 inch bias tape maker.

I expected to get bias tape that measured 1/2 inch when finished.
Pictured above is actually double fold bias tape. The neat little tool makes single fold tape. Now I knew it wouldn't come out of the tool looking like this. I knew it would be a strip with both sides folded in to the center, my problem was making the distinction between the terminology.  It may have been wise to read those directions instead of throwing them away. I had been cutting my strips the width needed for 1/2 inch double fold tape. I know, not very smart. Once I had my moment of enlightenment, I cut a strip around 1 inch wide (maybe slightly less) and whatdayaknow, the tool works beautifully! 
All that semi-coherent babble isn't intended to be a tutorial, since I'm sure you all understood how to correctly use a bias tape maker, or at the very least would be wise enough to read the directions first. No, the tutorial is for a less fancy, but nearly as effective DIY version of the bias tape maker, and you can easily adjust it to make any size bias tape you like.

All you need is an ironing board, a hot iron, a measuring tape or ruler, and a long needle. A strip of fabric would be nice too. It doesn't have to be cut on the bias unless you will be going around curves.

First determine the width you'd like your bias tape to be (single fold) . For this demonstration my strips are cut about 1.75" and I want the opening under the pin to be 1". This will give me 1" single fold bias tape or 1/2 inch double fold.  I am using little sewing gauge to determine the placement of my needle. Bring the needle up through the ironing board cover, go over 1" and push it back through the cover. The needle will run perpendicular to the ironing board.

Cut one end of your fabric strip to a point and run it under the needle wrong side up.

I am left-handed, so this probably looks very backward to you right-handed folks. Now you know how we lefties feel most of the time. I am pulling the fabric through with my left hand, going right to left. Do whatever feels comfortable to you. When you first start the fabric through, you will probably need to work it a little to be sure it is folding symmetrically.

As you pull the fabric through, press the fold in place. Be careful not to burn your little fingers. That's all there is to it.  Happy bias tape making, my friends!

Let me know how it works for you.

 

Comments

[Lynn Alexander]

You are quiet amazing, proof that the best ideas sometimes are the simplest, or the simplest solution is the best. Thanks for the tip!

Lynn

[Lotta]

Hi,
Thanks for the great idea! I just tried it, but added another darning needle about 1" further down, and it seemed to help a bit, making it stay straight. But, I noticed when I was done, that the needles really did a number on my fancy ironing board. So I found a piece of wood I had, and a piece of thin foam, and I'm going to put a piece of fabric on top, staple it tightly to the backside of the wood. Then I am going to put needles in it for a couple of sizes of bias tape - so I have a multi-size maker just sitting there with my sewing gear, just drag it out and start making - putting it on top of the ironing board, kitchen counter or wherever I want to make bias tape that day... :)

[Lotta]

Clearification... by "making it stay straight", I referred to the folded in pieces, since it with one needle only suddenly became uneven so that one folded in edge was wider than the one on the opposite side. Giving the tape a wider "track" (maybe even wider) might also be an advantage, as you could allow it to sit steady there for a while while the steam goes away and it cools down, giving more crisp folds.

I have never used double fold, never seen it in stores here. I understand that one side is folded wider than the other, so you can stitch in the ditch on the right side and catch the side folded over to the wrong side of the fabric. Do you know how wider that piece should be? It really seems easier to use, so I would love trying to make some. Tried making your own stretch knit binding? I guess that one wouldn't have to cut that on the bias. I have a flower print sweater knit sitting here, which has a 2" solid strip along the sides, which I plan on making foldover trim from... Not sure if it should be double fold or if I could just leave sides raw, but I guess that double fold always would give a more finished look...

[Jacki]

Thankyou, I did not get much in the way of instructions with my bias-tape maker. But with your help I have succeeded in making my first swatch of bias tape and completing my project. So thankyou thankyou, thankyou.

[candace]

haha, i might be weird...but i am right handed, and that is the way i would pull it through and iron it.

maybe i am a lefty on the inside.

thanks for the tip! i'm sure eventually i would have figured this out...but it's so much nicer when someone else figures it out for you, lol.

[Eva Mari]

I'm a member of a Norwegian Sewing Forum, and the link back to your excellent tip is one of the most appreciated threads: 74 big thanks and still counting!
I thought you should know! Thank you so much!
Hugs from Eva Mari :D

[blondedesign.blogspot.com]

Hi
I have just featured your bias binding, how to on my blog http://blondedesign.blogspot.com/
hope you don't mind, love your blog, and would love to follow but can't see how to..... K

[Emmy]

I have a set of different sized bias tape makers and have no problems using them.

However, this is how I used to do it before I got them, and its a very clever way to make bias tape of just about any size you need, including extra large.

Its really only limited by the size of your largest needle. You can also use extra long needles made for soft sculping dolls. They can be 3 or 4 inches long.

This will let you make tape about 3 inches wide before folding over in the middle.

This is handy for binding thicker fabrics like fleece and knits.

[Thomas]

I never post comments anywhere, but this is so simple it's GENIUS!

Thank you SO MUCH!!!

[Judy]

WOW....wish I'd have seen this first....I just ordered a couple of bias tape makers, but I'm going to try this...it looks so simple. Thanks!

[rene]

Very clever! Thanks for sharing this...I was at Joann's looking at these today and couldn't decide what size to buy, so i just walked away. I am going to try your way.

[Kate]

WOW, I nearly bought one of those thingys today but couldn't decide which size to get as I can see myself needing more than one size in the future. This has honestly been the most helpful tutes I have EVER seen. Thanks I'll give this one a go tonight!

[Meri]

Great idea!

[Mairzie]

WOW! This is sooooo great! I just found this tutorial. I was trying to find bias tape makers and ask for them for my birthday. Woo-hoo! Now I can put something ELSE (as in "more fun"!) on that list. Thank you so very much for sharing this. God bless.

[Lelie]

So clever! To bad I only found this today, I just bought a biastape maker few days ago. I will first try that one, but if I need a different size I will use you're idea, so clever!

[Tammy]

Oh. My. Gosh. Brilliant! I would expect no less from a lefty! Thanks so much -- from a fellow lefty.

[carla]

brilliant!! thank you so much dear :)

[Marysia Paling]

Fantastic.

I just couldn't get my bias binder metal gadget to work for me. Bought a range of sizes thinking it would save me loads of time.............All I did was rip my hair out.

Your method is inspirational.
Thanks for sharing.

[Ellen]

Wow!!! I searched for a shop to sell me the maker and than I found your golden tip!

thanks

[katie lynne]

I'm just now running across this wonderful tutorial. Hope all is well with you & your family. Thank you so much for putting this together...kl astoria oregon

[brabantia ironing board cover]

I am excited to try this as well! I have had problems with the one I purchased, so this was a great post for me.

[asavari]

simple and very effective, esp as bias tape makers are not easily available in India!

[Wendy Darling]

I love this idea, I am going to try it tonight.
I dont have a tape maker and was looking just now on the web for information about them. I like this better.
Thank you!!!!!!

[tz]

You just saved me 100$ on those machines thanks

[Dixie Redmond]

YOU are a genius! Thanks so much for sharing this. I am teaching a class on making Izannah Walker dolls, and put a link to this page for students in the class.