How To Make Bias Tape

I am a novice seamstress.  So on a project (that I decided to on a whim today-- because slaving over a sewing machine on an 85 degree day made so much sense), I realized that I needed some bias tape to finish up an armhole.

What is bias tape?  It's not actually tape but more rather a finishing trim, when you don't feel like spending the entire day sewing (and then ripping apart 20 times) fancy techniques for a well-tailored edge.  It works great on armholes, for trim, etc.

It's called bias, because unlike the straight up and down/left to right weave that your fabric has, it is cut on the diagonal.  This diagonal cut, allows it to stretch, and therefore, become workable as you finish your curved edge.

So when you're working on a project, and realize that you need some, what do you do?  You make it from scratch.  

And if you barely have any sewing experience-- like myself, you'll be surprised how easy it is to do.  Honestly, it's not intimidating at all. 

First of all, you get the fabric that you want to make the tape out of.  Since you will be cutting out a strip, folding it in half, and then folding the halves again, make sure it's wide enough for your project.  (For example, a 1 1/2" strip that you cut out, will end up being about 3/8" of an inch when it's finished!)

So with that said, cut out your desired length strip~

I am just totally eyeballing it with a ruler as my guide, but obviously you can measure it and cut it according to how you do your project.  And there's no need to mind the jagged edges, because those are going to be folded inwards and out of sight anyways.

Fold the strip in half, and iron~

After that, fold one half inward, and iron again.  (Do the same for the other side.)~

When you're done, it should look like this~

After that, start sewing it onto your project.  

Word of warning though, make sure that your stitch is also going through the other side of the bias tape!  After I'm done posting this, I'm going to have to go back and rip out the trim from a pillowcase dress that I'm making for my daughter.  (Not fun, since this is the first time I've really sewn anything in over a decade, and didn't realize that there was too much tension on the machine!)

Anyways...

But that is how you make your own bias tape.  Hopefully, the directions are not too confusing!

Happy sewing!