Date: 2/22/06 7:36 AM

Does anyone have clear directions on making bias tape in one long strip. I saw the instructions in SewNews 3/06 but they are confusing to me. Thanks!!!

Date: 2/22/06 9:40 AM

Here is a pretty good one, with both illustrations and clear description.

continuous bias strip

You can find more by googling "make your own bias tape" or "make continuous bias tape".

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Buy the best and you only cry once.

Date: 2/22/06 11:07 AM

More information on bias bindings. I hope this helps.

Info on bias bindings

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What is Maxine saying??
"I don't iron. If I'm not wrinkle-free why should my clothes be."

2009 Fabric Purchased: 36 1/2 yards
Fabric Used from stash: 42 3/4 yards

2008 Fabric Purchased: 152 3/4 yards
Fabric Used from stash: 57 5/8 yards
Purchased fabric includes a bolt (75 yards) of drapery lining.

Date: 2/22/06 9:06 PM

I cut bias all the time for quilt bindings. Why, oh why do folks have to make it so unnecessarily complicated - like the two websites referred to above???

You DO NOT need to start with a square. You do need an on-grain rectangle. Remove selvages. Make a 45 degree cut somewhere, anywhere through it. Sew the straight grain edges together to form a parallelogram. But forget about making the tube like those websites recommend. Tubes are for folks that don't have rotary cutters! Cut strips your desired width parallel to the bias cut edges using a rotary cutter and an accurate ruler. Sew them together end to end, right sides together.

Oh boy, do they make those calculations cumbersome!!!! I like math as much or more than anyone, but put away your calculator and forget the square roots! Generally, you need EXACTLY the same amount of fabric you would use if you were cutting straight-grain binding. So, for a quilt, calculate the length of your perimeter in inches. Divide by 40, and round up to a whole number. (40 is a nice round number, the effective width of most quilting cottons, plus a bit of goof-room). Multiply this whole number by the width of your binding strips. I usually add a tiny bit extra because you will have more seams. But your total area will be the same.

So, for example, a quilt measuring 65" x 70", your perimeter length would be 65 70 65 70=270". Divide by 40 and round up = 7. I usually cut my binding 2" wide so I will need a minimum of 14" of 44"/45" fabric to cut my binding (straight or bias!) For bias, I'll allow myself an extra inch or so.

Jennifer in Calgary
-- Edited on 2/22/06 9:27 PM --

Date: 2/23/06 1:19 PM

Thanks, I'll check these out.

Date: 2/23/06 9:32 PM

I think that the Clover Bias Tape Makers are a good investment for this type of thing. It takes any guess work out - all you have to do is cut and iron.

Date: 2/23/06 9:59 PM

I have a couple sizes of the Clover Bias Tape Makers, and they are FABULOUS. I haven't used them in a while, but they make the process so much easier!