How to Use a Binding Foot to Sew Bias Tape

A binding foot, also called a binder foot or bias binder foot, is a specialized sewing machine foot designed to attach double fold bias tape neatly to fabric edges. The foot guides the bias tape evenly while helping the sewing machine stitch through both sides of the binding simultaneously. Binding feet are especially useful for quilts, clothing, curved edges, table linens, and sewing projects that require clean, professional-looking bound edges. This tutorial will show you how to use a binding foot along with the correct machine settings.

What is a Binding Foot?

A binding foot is a sewing machine presser foot designed to guide double-fold bias tape evenly around fabric edges while stitching both sides of the binding at the same time. It is commonly used for quilts, garments, placemats, curved hems, and decorative sewing finishes.

Learn more about presser feet in the complete sewing machine feet guide.

Using a bias binding foot makes sewing double-sided bias tape on curves or straight edges so easy. It holds the bias tape in place so the needle pierces through both sides without slipping. If you have ever used some of the other sewing methods for bias tape, you will have occasionally slipped on your underneath stitching.

Why Use a Binding Foot?

A binding foot helps prevent one of the most common bias tape sewing problems — missing the back edge of the binding while stitching. The adjustable guide keeps the bias tape aligned evenly, so both sides are stitched neatly at the same time.

A binding foot helps solve several common bias tape sewing problems, including:

• missing the underside stitching
• crooked topstitching
• twisted bias tape
• puckered curves
• uneven binding edges

The adjustable guide keeps the bias tape aligned evenly while sewing, helping create cleaner more professional-looking finishes.

Parts of a Binding Foot

In order to use your binding foot, you will need to learn the names of the parts.

Part	Function
Width adjustment wheel	Adjusts bias width
Needle adjustment screw	Positions stitching
Bias guide	Holds tape evenly
Snap-on attachment	Connects foot to machine

How to Use a Binding Foot (Step by Step)

1. Adjust the Wheels for the Bias Tape Size

If you look at the binder foot, you will see that it has a snap-on bar for attaching to your machine and a plastic extension with width markings. Nearly all the binder feet I have seen have widths marked in metric millimeters. The most common size for double-fold bias is 1/2 inch (12mm).

If you sew with imperial measurements and need some conversions for the bias tape widths:

• 10mm = 3/8 inch
• 12mm = 1/2 inch
• 15mm = 5/8 inch
• 20 mm =7/8 inch
• 25mm = 1 inch

Further Reading – How to Make Bias Tape and Continuous Bias Tape

There are 2 screws on the binding foot. The screw at the back positions the needle left or right so you can sew on the edge of the bias tape. The wheels at the front of the plastic part can adjust to the width of the bias tape.

Like most sewing presser feet, you can get a binder foot for quilting and sewing to match your machine’s brand or a generic one purchased individually or in a kit. Mine is a generic branded one that I purchased on eBay. I have a Janome sewing machine, and it fits and worked beautifully.

Most of the time, bias tape is made from 100% cotton fabric which is light to medium in weight. Use a universal needle to sew your bias in a corresponding thickness. Further Reading – Sewing Machine Needle Sizes

2. How to Insert the Bias Tape into the Foot

Before you attach the bias binding foot to your sewing machine, insert the bias into the slot in the plastic section. If you hold the foot up at the front, you will see a slot where to insert it.

IMPORTANT – Double-sided bias tape is usually shorter on one side than another. Make sure the bias is inserted with the shorter side on top.

Practice easing the bias onto the binding foot until you feel confident. You can use a pin to guide it at the back if it gets caught. The bias tape should stick out at least 1/2 inch (12mm) at the back of the foot.

The screw on the width adjustment should sit nice and tight next to the edge of the bias tape. It actually takes a surprising amount of turns to move the bar, so be patient and keep turning. Here is the top view of the bias tape threaded through the binding presser foot.

Here is a side view. See how the binding foot guide is holding the bias tape in place.

3. Attach the Foot to Sewing Machine

Put the foot with the bias tape inserted into the machine. It should just snap in place. Make sure the threads are out of the way and not caught up. With the handwheel, turn gently so you can check the position of the needle. It should be aligned just slightly from the edge.

If necessary, adjust the back screw on the foot so the needle moves across either left or right. If you can’t get it exactly right, you can move the needle to the left with your machine needle dial. I used my machine dial to get a very small adjustment at the end. Hold the threads to the side and take a few stitches on the bias tape to hold it in place. Stop sewing.

4. Stitch the Fabric

Insert the fabric between the bias edges and into the plastic slot. Smooth the fabric down the length of the bias. Most of the time, bias tape is sewn with a straight stitch, but this binder foot will also work with a zig-zag stitch that catches in the edges. Take it slow to be sure the machine stitches catch both sides as you ease in the bias and it is steadied by the binding foot.

Before You Start: Binding feet can take a little practice to get right the first time. Always test the bias tape width and needle position on scrap fabric before sewing your final project.

Most binding feet work best with for following settings:

• straight stitch
• medium stitch length
• standard thread tension

A slightly longer stitch length can help create smoother, more even topstitching on thicker bias tape.

It is important to always try a sample first on some scrap fabric. Practice letting the bias binding rest gently over your hands and into your lap as you guide it over the fabric you are binding.

You can see from the finished edge that the back and front are perfectly caught in. Because the bias edge of the underneath is a little wider, the stitching is just a fraction further back from the edge.

How to Adjust a Binding Foot

Binding feet usually have:

• a front adjustment screw for bias width
• a rear adjustment screw for needle position

Adjust the guide width so the bias tape fits snugly without twisting or slipping.

Best Bias Tape for a Binding Foot

Double fold bias tape works best with binding feet because the folded edges wrap evenly around the fabric edge. Lightweight woven cotton bias tape is usually the easiest option for beginners. Pre-made bias tape and homemade bias tape can both be used successfully.

Best Projects for a Binding Foot

A binding foot is especially useful for sewing quilts, placemats, table runners, curved hems, and clothing edges finished with double fold bias tape. It also works well for armholes, necklines, baby blankets, and decorative sewing projects that require neat professional-looking bound edges.

• Free makeup roll pattern
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Tips for Using a Binding Foot

Sewing slowly and testing the binding width on scrap fabric first will help improve stitching accuracy. Keeping the bias tape feeding smoothly through the guide also helps prevent twisting and uneven stitching. Using matching thread creates cleaner more professional-looking finishes.

Binding feet can produce uneven stitching if the bias tape is not feeding smoothly through the guide. Testing the setup carefully before sewing a project will help create cleaner, more professional-looking edges.

Common Mistake	Tip
Bias tape twisting	Adjust guide width
Missed underside stitching	Sew slowly
Needle hitting foot	Reposition needle
Uneven binding	Test on scrap fabric
Fabric bunching	Smooth fabric while sewing

Binding Foot vs Walking Foot

A binding foot guides bias tape evenly around fabric edges, while a walking foot helps feed multiple fabric layers smoothly through the machine.

Binding Foot	Walking Foot
Guides bias tape	Feeds thick layers
Best for edge binding	Best for quilts
Adjustable guide	Walking feed mechanism
Ideal for bias tape	Ideal for slippery fabrics

Alternatives

The alternative to using a bias binding foot is to attach bias the old-fashioned way. If you are sewing lots of curves and corners, this can take less time in the long run. Another alternative is to use a walking foot. While this won’t hold the bias tape in place, the walking motion will prevent wrinkles in the bias and hold it better than a regular presser foot.

Here are some tutorials to read that show you how to sew bias tape.

1. How to Sew Single Fold Bias Tape
2. How to Sew Double Fold Bias Tape
3. How to sew Mitred Square Corners with Bias Tape

Bias Tape Binding Foot FAQs

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In Conclusion

A binding foot makes sewing double fold bias tape faster, easier, and more accurate by guiding the binding evenly around fabric edges. It is especially useful for quilts, garments, curved edges, and decorative sewing projects that require clean, professional-looking finishes. With practice and careful adjustment, a binding foot can greatly improve the speed and accuracy of sewing bias tape.

More Sewing Feet Tutorials

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• Rolled Hem Foot
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• Teflon Foot
• All-Purpose Foot
• Walking Foot
• Zipper Foot
• Roller Foot
• Quilting Foot
• Darning Foot
• Straight Stitch Foot
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