I couldn't do without my Bias Tape Makers. They make life so much easier when preparing ¼ inch bias tapes for appliqué projects, making bag drawstrings and 1 inch bias tape for buntings.
Cutting the fabric
I cut the fabric either on the bias or cross grain. The direction depends on the project I'm making the bias tape for.
Needle turn applique (1st photo)
I use the ¼ inch bias tape maker and nearly always cut the fabric on the bias. I love stripes and checks cut this way. It's easier to shape the bias tape into curves too.
When cut on the cross grain the tape is not quite so flexible.
Bag Drawstrings (2nd photo) and Bias Tape for Buntings (3rd photo)
I use the ¾ inch and 1 inch bias tape makers and cut the fabric on the cross grain.
That is across the width of the fabric, from selvage to selvage.
Why not on the bias? The tape would be too stretchy and lose its shape.
I've tried making bias tape cut on the straight grain. It's difficult to pull through the bias tape maker and is too rigid to shape into nice curves.
Still not sure what I'm on about?
Find a piece of fabric with the selvage attached and pull it along the straight grain, the cross grain and the bias.
You'll see and feel the difference in the stretch.
Making Bag Drawstrings
I’ve been caught in the past, focusing on the fabrics and bag design, only to be disappointed when the ribbon or twill on hand didn’t quite work. Now I go looking for the right fabric and make the drawstrings.
Use the ¾ inch (18mm) bias maker.
- Cut a 1⅜ inch strip across the width of the fabric (cross grain).
- Remove the selvages and trim one end at a 45 degree angle. The angled end makes it easier to insert through the maker.
- Insert the strip. Sometimes it feeds through easily and other times you need to use a pin. Insert the point through the slot and drag the fabric through. The fabric can twist, pull just enough through to straighten it up.
- Pull the bias tape maker slowly and iron the tape.
- The Bias Tape, wrong side.
- Fold the bias tape in half and iron.
- Machine sew the open side together.
- The finished drawstring.
The Bias Tape Makers are $12 each.
Postage is $10 for one, two or all three sizes.
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