How To Make Bias Strips

BIAS STRIPS

Bias tape is a strip of fabric cut on the bias.

Bias tape is used to finish raw edges, create piping and countless other decorative uses .

Commercial bias tape is available to purchase at any craft or fabric store, but you can easily make them yourself in any fabric or pattern and save money.

I’m going to make 1″ bias strips using the cotton fabric below.  On the wrong side of the fabric, mark off 1” lines at a diagonal (on the bias) using chalk and a clear ruler.  I usually discard the corner edge of the fabric.

Cut with a scissor or rotary cutter.

I usually discard the corner edge of the fabric.

Bias strips can get a little tricky when your working with temperamental fabric, such as silk. Lay the silk square over a piece of paper and pin down.

for extra reinforcement lay an additional piece of paper over the fabric.

Since silk is slippery you may have to move your pins around to keep the fabric in place during the marking and cutting. ***Notice how I keep the pins on a diagonal.

This is where a rotary cutter is extremely beneficial because you don’t have to lift the fabric and cause the fabric to shift. Just make sure the rotary blade is brand new when your working with silks and place pressure on the cutter as your cutting to avoid snags.

To create longer strips you will have to join two pieces.

Pin as shown, overlapping the edges and using a 1/4” seam allowance

Press open the seam

snip off overlapping fabric

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