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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: seamstress16
Date: 04-16-2005, 06:14 PM (1 of 7)
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Has anyone every used a bias tape maker? What is it and is it easy to use? Does it really help make the job quicker and more accurate or am I better off just cutting strips? I know I ask a lot of questions, you guys have been so helpful! -Danielle |
User: seamstress16
Member since: 01-29-2005 Total posts: 88 |
From: Lise
Date: 04-16-2005, 06:41 PM (2 of 7)
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These are small,cheap and easy to use gadgets and come in various sizes depending on how wide you want your bias to be. For instance if you want a double fold bias of 1/4 inch you would cut your fabric one 1 inch wide on the bias and thread it through the bias maker. It will come out the other end with the edges folded into the middle and you will press the fold as it comes out. You now have a tape 1/2 inch wide which you can use as is, or you can fold it over and press again and you have 1/4 1nch double sided tape. Lise 
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User: Lise
Member since: 07-24-2000 Total posts: 231 
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From: shirleyp
Date: 04-17-2005, 11:13 AM (3 of 7)
| I have the 1/4, 1/2 and 1 inch bias tape makers. Yes they are easy to use, but you do need to do practice a bit with some scraps. I found if you cut your fabric just a bit bigger than the asking measurments it works great. The fuseible webbing you cut exactly as it calls for. I have made stained glass projects with the bias tape, plus celtic knots. The 1/4 inch is the one I use the most, so if you are interested in trying it, I would suggest to start with that size. I also bought the clover iron. It does work easier. |
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 352 
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From: MariLynnTX
Date: 04-17-2005, 02:23 PM (4 of 7)
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You are right, Shirley, I too have found the bias tape makers a great help. I had a project where I had to make yards and yards of it and I looked through my sewing book (a LARGE looseleaf notebook where I put all the clippings I thought might be helpful) and found a way to sew a piece of fabric together and cut yards and yards of bias in one long strip. I didn't have a Clover iron at the time but it didn't matter because my large iron made quick work of it. I do find the tiny Clover iron very helpful though. Amazing the sewing helps that can be bought nowadays! MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
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User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: mamagoose
Date: 04-20-2005, 07:34 AM (5 of 7)
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I love mine. They are plain silver and just a tip: They have no markings, so I wrote on a label the correct width fabric for the each one and stuck the label on each individual bias maker. mamagoose |
User: mamagoose
Member since: 01-26-2002 Total posts: 168 |
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 04-20-2005, 11:22 AM (6 of 7)
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I like mine, too; they're very helpful and they are marked.
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
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User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: bunzino
Date: 04-21-2005, 07:44 PM (7 of 7)
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I think they're indespensable!! Especially if you're doing tops -- they're by far the best way to bind a neckline/sleeveless armhole. Knits or wovens. I'd say get the whole set using a 40% off coupon at Joanns. nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
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