If you learn how to make bias tape (bias binding) it can save you a lot of money and the possibilities for using beautiful fabrics are limitless. Bias tape is simply a long strip of fabric that has been cut on the diagonal therefore making it stretchy. It is used to encase raw edges and can be used decoratively on projects such as quilts or clutches or it can be used to bind armholes or necklines.

how to make bias binding, how to make bias tape — How to Make Bias Tape, How to Make Bias Binding

How to Make Bias Tape Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to make bias tape strips and how to press them into single or double fold bias to use for your sewing projects.

Make Your Own Bias Tape Supplies

What you will need:

FABRIC – Your fabric should be lightweight and tightly woven. I normally find that cotton fabrics with small prints work the best. A larger piece of fabric will result in fewer joins in your fabric. I recommend you start with fat quarters or a piece of fabric that is at least ½ yard (0.45m).
CUTTING TOOLS - Scissors or a rotary cutter
SEWING TOOLS - Ruler, iron and general sewing supplies
OPTIONAL - Bias tape maker – They come in assorted sizes such as ¼, ½, ¾, 1 inch and 2inch widths. Here I have used a ½ inch (12mm) bias tape maker. Common brands include Clover, Birch and Dritz. Don't worry if you can't get one as I will show you how to make bias tape without any special tools as well.

About Types of Bias Tape

There are 2 types of bias binding tape: single fold or double fold. (Read types of bias tape). This tutorial will show you how to make bias tape to create these 2 types.

Single fold bias is used on the edges of clothing, such as necklines and underarms. It is flat, with the raw edges facing each other in the middle. (Read how to sew single fold bias)
Double fold bias tape is a simple single fold bias that has been folded again so that all the edges are encased. It is can be used for quilts and decorative purposes or to bind armholes and necklines. It is probably the most commonly used tape. (Read how to sew double fold bias)

single fold vs double fold bias tape — Single Fold vs Double Fold Bias Tape

How to Make Bias Tape (Binding) - The Video

Watch my YouTube video showing you how to quickly made bias binding tape with and without a bias maker. I post weekly sewing and craft videos so make sure you subscribe.

How to Make Bias Tape VIDEO

How to Make Bias Tape, How to Make Bias Binding Step by Step Instructions

Ready to learn how to make bias tape?

Step 1 - Find the Bias

First, find the bias grainline of the fabric. This is just the stretchiest part of your fabric and is a 45-degree angle from the selvage. Find the angle easily by folding over the edge of your fabric to form a triangle. If you cut along at this diagonal line, it will be 45 degrees - no maths involved!

Cut the excess fabric on the side. You will now have a perfect square. Press the 45 degree angle to make the next step easier.

How to Make Bias Tape, How to Make Bias Binding

Step 2 - Cut Strips

What angle do you cut bias tape? Cut strips along the 45-degree bias

Here are the measurements for making bias tape: Cut strips double the width of your bias maker.

For a ½ inch (12mm) bias maker, I cut strips of 1 inch (2.5cm) in width. You can use a rotary cutter and cutting mat or scissors for this. A quilting ruler makes this easier to measure. Here is a chart with the cutting measurements for bias tape:

Step 3 - Join the Strips

Take 2 strips that have ends pointing in the same direction.
Put the right sides together and stitch your pieces together like this.
Use a small stitch and make sure you backstitch the ends. Your seam allowance will be around ¼ inch (6mm).

See how each end overhangs a bit and the stitching line goes from edge to edge. The 2 pieces of tape will form a 90-degree angle. Repeat until all the strips are joined together to form a continuous strip of bias tape.

Step 4 - Press Open and Trim Seams

Press the seams open and trim the pieces that stick out over the edges.

Now we have lovely bias strips and are ready to turn them into bias tape with or without our bias maker.

There is another way to make bias strips. Create a tube and make continuous bias tape. This results in less sewing joins.

How to Make Bias Tape with a Bias Maker

Once you have all your pieces joined you can make them into tape using your bias maker. These are readily available either individually or in kits from fabric stores, quilting store and Amazon.

Put the long angled end into the bias maker and push it through to the other end. A seam ripper or pin can help you do this.

Iron the folded fabric as it comes out the other end of the bias maker. Use the handle to pull the bias maker along smoothly. Make sure the iron is on the correct settings for your fabric. For a hard to iron fabric a bit of steam can help but watch your fingers and do a test first.
Keep ironing the whole strip and you are finished!

How to Make Bias Tape with No Tools

A bias maker is a great tool to have but don't worry if you can't get one. It is just as easy to use this traditional method. Just watch your fingers as the steam from the iron can be a little hot.

Can you make bias tape without a bias tape maker? Yes you can! It is just as easy and sometimes quicker for small amounts of bias tape.

Method 1 - Your Fingers

Press the bias strips in half with the wrong sides together to form a crease.
Open up the bias and then press the edges in to meet in the middle crease. You now have single-fold bias!

Method 2 - Using Needles

Take a long needle and stick it in and then out of your ironing board cover.

Now measure a gap the width of the tape you need to make and stick it back in the ironing board and out again.

SINGLE FOLD - For ½ inch (12mm) single-fold bias, the gap should be ½ inch (12mm). If you are making 1 inch (2.5cm) single fold bias then the gap should be 1 inch
DOUBLE FOLD - For double fold bias, the gap should be double the final width of the tape. For example, to make ½ inch (12mm) double-fold bias this gap should be 1 inch (2.5cm).

Repeat for the second needle 1 inch (2.5cm) directly under the first one.

Fold your fabric edges to meet in the center and then pull the end under the pins. You can use your ruler to make sure that the edges meet in the center.

Pull the fabric through the needles and start ironing. Check every now and again that the edges are still meeting in the middle and that the width is still correct. Keep ironing the whole strip and you are finished!

How to Make Bias Tape - Double Fold

Make bias strips the same way as the single fold tape instructions with one important difference.
Cut the strips 4 times the width of the bias tape maker. For a ½ inch (12mm) bias maker, cut the strips 2 inches wide.
Once you have single fold bias tape, fold the tape in half so one side is just wider than the other. It should be around 1/16 inch (1.5mm) difference.

Next Step - Sew Bias Tape

Here are more articles that will show you how to sew bias tape.

how to sew bias tape, how to sew bias binding featured image

How to Make Bias Tape - In Conclusion

And there you have it – beautiful, colorful bias tape. You can wrap it around a rectangle of cardboard to store it neatly.