How To Sew Bias Tape
What you need to sew bias tape
- straight pins
- scissors
- a project with a raw edge/hem
- sewing machine
The shirt I am adding bias tape to is the Ma Cherie Tunic, a great pattern by Winter Wear Designs. The absolutely darling fabric combo is from Mabel Madison, a supplier of high quality poplin fabric. BTW, if you haven’t sewn with poplin fabric, read all about it HERE.
So, the reason I wanted to add bias tape to the already super cute Ma Cherie Tunic was, because I loved the star print fabric that much that I wanted to have it on another place on this tunic besides the neckline and sleeve hems.
Let’s get started
You can literally add bias tape to anything you like that doesn’t have ruffles (although you could add it to ruffle hems if you really would like). The only modification you want to make is to adjust the length, that is important for garments that should fit correctly in length such as tops, dresses, skirts and pants. This tunic normally has a folded hem so I took off the seam allowance from the fabric and that was it. It was ready to get bias taped.
NOTE: my “bias” tape in this post is actually NOT cut on the bias. A reader made myself aware of that I never mentioned that lol…so thanks!! You can cut a simple strip of fabric along the edge if you are not using it on curved edges!! For curved edges you should cut it on the bias.
Step 1: Place the bias tape (or straight cut fabric tape) underneath the fabric with the two folds facing down and the single fold of the bias tape facing up, towards the fabric.
Here is a close-up of how the bias tape is pinned to the wrong side of the fabric. The upper fold of the bias tape is still folded.
Step 4: With a straight stitch on wovens and a stretch stitch on knit fabrics, sew along the RIGHT side of the fold/crease. You can keep a seam allowance of 1/16 – 1/8 of an inch. Just don’t sew along the crease, only right next to it.
To continue with the tutorial please click on page 2 below!
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LydiaF says
Your tutorial makes working with bias tape look simple! Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty! I’ll be sure to pin this. I’m sure it will be helpful for many people.
Pam says
Great tips on working with tape. Thanks for sharing!
Kat says
Just realized I had been using bias tape the hard way all this time. This was a great, easy to understand tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Momaof4 says
I have avoided at all costs using biased tape! I always did it a much harder (much more aggravating and unpolished) way. This is a simple commonsense way to use it thank you!
Janet Lambley says
Great tutorial but a tad confusing when calling the tape bias when clearly the fabric of the tape had not been cut on the bias. I accept that you used a sample piece of fabrics however could be very misleading to sewing beginners.
Denise says
Yes, you are right! I never mentioned that my “bias” tape was not cut on the bias. I amended the post. Thank you!
Lissette says
I also suffer through ugly, wrong side bias tape issues! Thank you for this! I’ll be trying it you way very soon.
Samina says
This finally makes it so clear! I’m saving this link for the next time I’ve got to use bias tape.
Jen says
Great tips! Just with the last step, what seam allowance do you topstitch with? Or does it not matter because you will always catch the underside?
Thanks
Denise says
Thank you for visiting today, Jen! I use about 1/8″ seam allowance just to be sure to “cover” the stitches underneath well enough 😉
Nancy M. Daniel says
Well. This is so perfect and easy to understand! Thank you!
Denise says
Thank you so much, Nancy! I appreciate your visit!
Linda says
Please forgive me from interfering – I am so old school, i.e. early 1960’s (if not late 50’s). I was not only taught to sew by hand, with the rare treat of taking a turn to use the single hand sewing machine. We had to line up the tape/bias tape right sides together. The complete reverse of your picture. Sew along the crease, fold the tape under and then slip stitch. This had to be under the line of machine stitching. No hand stitches were allowed to show on the front of the garment . Slow I know but a perfect finish for that special garment. Sorry not “techy” enough to demonstrate with examples.
Denise says
That is the way this task was taught, I believe it! I remotely remember that from my mom actually. Thanks so much for visiting today!
Michele says
The problem with sewing along the crease is you have left nothing for turn of the cloth, which can leave a rather messy looking turn. I sewed bias tape (or non bias on straight edges) exactly the way it was demonstrated here until sewing machine companies came out with bias tape feet. With these feet there is no need to pin and your machine will catch both the top and bottom layers at the same time. The only problem is that those feet are pricey, so unless you have sufficient disposable income and/or sew a lot of bias tape, they may not be worth the money.
Denise says
Thanks for your comment! I agree that sewing directly along the crease won’t leave any room for turning. That’s why I tried to showcase how to sew slightly next to the crease. I have yet to check out the bias tape feet! 😉
LHY says
Me too! I love having a bias tape foot as it makes the project take half as long and results in a well sewn project!
Ev says
Thank you for explaining why you don’t sew along the crease. I was looking for this in the text above. I was reading the comments hoping it would be mentioned. I teach kids to sew and didn’t know this, They often want to know “why” they have to do something, and I admit I do too.
Denise says
Thank you for reading this post! That is a very good question that I need to add in there. The reason to NOT sew along the crease is that you will have a little bit of extra room once you fold the binding over. Otherwise, if sewn along the crease, your binding fold may not allow for the necessary room to cover the stitches on the other side. I like to even trim off some of the seam allowance to achieve less bulk as well. This step helps me to get a nice and neat looking binding.
Kristen says
This method from the wrong side is great if you want to show the contrast fabric however often times bias tape is used as a hidden finish. You do the same technique right side to right side and finish on the wrong side concealing the bias tape from the right side.
Denise says
Yes, correct! So happy you stopped by!!
Denise says
Glad you like this tutorial and I agree, great for finishing hems by concealing the bias tape! This might be my next binding tutorial 😉
Debbie Cooper says
Love your pictures and detailed tutorial that makes it look so pretty and easy! Can I ask what pattern the beautiful dress was made from. Love it and want to try it out with a pattern like that.
Debbie Cooper says
Sorry , saw the name of the pattern after writing my comments.
Denise says
Hey, no problem! Thank you for reading this post! I’m glad you like the tutorial and pattern!
Val Ward says
Thank you