Have you ever sewn with bias tape? It’s a great way to add a decorative touch to your sewing projects or to finish off raw edges of your fabric. You can even use it to make button loops! Today we’re going to show you just how to use bias tape in your sewing projects.
You don’t need any special equipment to sew with bias tape. Some basic pins or clips and your sewing machine and you’re all set. If you haven’t perfected sewing straight lines yet, practice a bit before you attempt sewing with it. Straight stitching is very important in achieving a polished look to your finished project.
By the way, you may have seen the packages of bias tape for sale at your local sewing store, but did you know that you can make your own too? This is ideal when you want the tape to be an exact match to the fabric you’re using.
How to Use Bias Tape in Your Sewing Projects
Because of the way this tape is made, it bends easily around curved edges without any puckering. So it’s a great way to bind raw edges, finish off seams (known as a Hong Kong seam finish), make button loops or drawstrings, or to create decorative finishes like stripes.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIAS TAPE
There are two types of bias tape available. Single fold is used as a sort of narrow facing and won’t show from the outside of the garment. Double fold is used to bind an edge and it will show as a decorative edge from the outside of the sewing project.
When you buy bias tape, it comes in a variety of colors and in widths from ¼ inch to 1 inch. As the name suggests, it comes pre-folded. You can make your own by hand or you can speed things along with a bias tape maker.
HOW TO SEW
When it comes to sewing with bias tape, the most important thing is to make sure that you are sewing through both the front and the back. You can use a regular straight stitch or a decorative stitch according to your preference. It is made so that the back side is a little bit wider than the front and this helps to ensure that as you stitch from the front, it will catch right through to the back piece of tape.
You might still find that you miss a few spots with this method and your binding won’t be perfect. Taking the extra step to do some extra stitching can help you to get the tape sewn on properly and through all layers the first time without any mistakes.
PROPER PINNING OR CLIPPING
To do this, cut your bias tape to the length you need. Lay out your fabric piece wrong side up. Open up the tape completely. With right sides together, match the raw edge of the wider side of the tape with the raw edge of the fabric. Pin or clip to secure. Sew along that first crease of the tape. Using bobbin thread that blends well with your fabric (not the tape) will help to keep these stitches hidden.
Now, with the fabric right side up, wrap the bias tape around the raw edge and secure again with pins or clips. Be sure that the edge of your tape is covering your line of stitching. This time you want to use bobbin thread that matches your bias tape so it blends in. Stitch once again along the fold line to enclose the raw edge and finish it off.
Just think of all the fun projects you can create, now that you know how to use bias tape in your sewing! What will you make first?
Looking for more great sewing resources? Check out our post on How to Make Piping!
