How to Use a Bias Tape Maker - Simple for Beginners

Learn how to use a bias tape maker! The bias tape maker is a very nifty little machine that helps you to make bias tape. If you are going to bind with your own self-made tape, then this machine will save you lots of time. It is creative, funky and adds that special one-of-a-kind touch to whatever you are making. This tutorial will show you how to use a bias tape maker as well as how to turn it into double fold bias. It will also show you some alternatives to using a bias tape maker.

How to Use a Bias Tape Maker Tutorial

What is a Bias Tape Maker?

The bias tape maker is a metal sewing tool that folds the bias tape with equal sides touching in the middle. You pull your strips of fabric through this wonderful gadget, and out comes single fold bias tape.

A bias tape maker is also called a bias binding maker or bias tape tool in some countries.

Supplies for Using a Bias Tape Maker

• Fabric - For the best results, stick to natural fibers like cotton. Choose a fabric that has a small print because the bias binding strip is cut out into small narrow strips.
• Bias Tape Maker - I like the Dritz, Clover, Simplicity and Birch brands. Some generic brands have ends that are too wide and don't give as accurate results.
• Sewing Basics - Sewing machine, ruler, scissors, pins, iron

Types of Bias Tape Makers

It is important to note the bias tape maker comes in different widths. Having a couple of different sizes will give you more variety and scope. Bias tape can be used for a wide range of projects and is especially useful for trimming, neatening, and even hemming.

When purchasing your bias tape maker, look for one with several sizes in a kit form, and that will ensure you have a tape for every occasion.

TIP for Bias Tape Maker Sizes: When looking at the widths on the bias tape makers, keep in mind that this is the width of the finished single fold bias tape. It is not the width of the fabric strips that you will insert inside.

How to Use a Bias Tape Maker Video

Watch my YouTube video showing you how to quickly make bias binding tape and how to use a bias tape maker. In addition, I post weekly sewing and craft videos, so please subscribe.

How to Use a Bias Tape Maker - Step by Step

Here are the steps for how to use a bias tape maker:

Step 1 - Cut the Fabric Strips

Cut the fabric you are using into the bias fabric strips at the right width for the bias binding maker you have purchased. Cut the tip of the fabric at a 45-degree angle, ready to feed into the bias strip maker.

How to Use a Bias Tape Maker Chart

Here is an easy bias tape maker size chart you can reference.

How to Cut Bias Strips for a Bias Tape Maker

Bias strips are best cut from squares of fabric. Cut a square of the fabric you plan to use and then fold it diagonally to mark the center. Measure strips along the diagonal at the width you need to use for your bias tape maker. 

How to Join Bias Strips

Join the strips on the diagonal to ensure the stretch is continued for each strip of bias.  Place two strips right sides together and stitch from corner to corner with a ¼ inch (6mm) seam allowance.

Press open the seams and trim the little triangles that stick out.

Continuous Bias Strips

Alternatively, learn how to make continuous bias strips. It is easy to do and works like magic. This avoids the bulk of having too many joins in the tape.

Step 2 - Insert the End of The Strip

Ease the angled side of the bias strip into wider end of the bias strip maker. This will be the end with the handle.

Step 3 - Pull and Press

You feed the strip into the wider side of the bias strip maker and pull through. Then get ready to iron the strip as you pull it through the maker.

As the bias is pulled through the bias strip maker, press the sides of the tape to meet in the middle. Set your iron on steam and press down on the tape as the folded bias tape comes through the machine. It is a pull and press action rather than a sliding action.

At the end of pulling all the tape you have joined through, stop pressing and remove the machine. 

Step 4 - Roll and Store

Roll your ready-made bias tape onto a cardboard rectangle and pin the ends to keep it neat and straight until you are ready to use the tape.

Making Double Fold Bias Tape with a Bias Maker

There is an extra step involved in making double fold bias tape.

• Make single fold bias tape with your bias maker.
• Fold the tape in half down the center and press again. One side should be just slightly wider than the other - 1/16" (1.5mm) is enough.

Alternatives to Using a Bias Tape Maker

Did you know there are some alternative ways to make bias tape single or double fold without buying a bias tape maker? For each of these ideas, start with your ready cut bias tape strips.

1. Fold and Iron Method

This method is rather labor intensive as the bias tape fabric is folded in half to get a center fold. Then the outside edges are folded and pressed to the middle to create the double fold bias tape using an iron. 

2. Needle Method

This DIY bias tape maker method uses the ironing board and a dress making pin or a needle for greater length. 

1. Insert the pin, or needle, in the ironing board, leaving enough space for the bias tape to be pulled through the pin space. 
2. Push the pin into the board and pick up a portion of the ironing board fabric at the beginning. Then leave the required space for the bias cut fabric to be threaded through and pin a second time. 
3. Pull the bias cut fabric under the pin and through to the other side.  As the fabric is fed through the space left under the pin, check that the sides are curling towards each other and forming the two sides of the bias tape. 
4. The width of the tape will be dependent on the amount of space available under the pin. Extra-long pins or a needle will give more space between the area that is pinned or not pinned. A hatpin will allow a wider finished tape if you need more width for your tape.

Card and Pin Method

For this DIY bias maker, you need some firm card, a craft knife or sharp scissors, and a couple of pins.

1. Cut a square of card wider than the finished tape size. In the middle of the card draw a horizontal line with a ruler the size of the tape you wish to make. Use a craft knife to cut through the slit. The slit should measure half the width of the bias tape with its folded sides. For example, a bias tape that will measure 2” when it is complete will need a slit that is 1” wide. 
2. The 2” bias tape will thread through the narrower slit, and as you feed it through from the back of the card to the front, you make sure that each side turns over to meet in the middle. 
3. Secure the card with some pins to the ironing board. 
4. Cut the bias tape at an angle to assist with the threading process. 
5. Watch the edges turn in and pull the tape from the back through onto the ironing board.  As you pull the tape through, you press the folded edges to meet in the middle. 
6. When you have finished this process, and the tape is free of the cardboard tape maker, it is pressed a second time to fold in half for double-fold bias tape.

The beauty of this method is your card, and the slit cut for the tape, can be any size you like.

How to Use a Bias Tape Maker - In Conclusion

Making and sewing with your own bias tape is a very creative way to finish your sewing projects. Learning how to use a bias tape maker will save you time as well as protect your fingers from the hot iron. Always make a bit of extra bias tape and store your pieces of tape for another occasion.

MORE ARTICLES ON BIAS TAPE

1. How to Make Bias Tape
2. Types of Bias Tape
3. How to Sew Bias Tape
4. How to Sew Double Fold Bias Tape
5. Sewing Bias Tape
6. How to Make Continuous Bias Tape
7. How to Sew Bias Tape Corners
8. Bias Bound Seam
9. Hong Kong Finish
10. How to Sew a V Neck with Bias Tape
11. How to Make Piping
12. Sewing Piping
13. How to Bind a Quilt
14. How to Use a Bias Tape Maker
15. What is Bias Tape