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From: keljo60
Date: 08-23-2006, 02:54 PM (1 of 13)
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Hi, I'm starting my Christmas sewing today and need extra-wide double fold bias tape. I have bunches of single fold, but I make tree skirts and it just isn't wide enough. Does anyone have any they want to unload or trade? Preferably white or Christmas colors.
Kelly
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! |
User: keljo60
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 154 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 08-23-2006, 10:42 PM (2 of 13)
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Kelly, what about making your own? You can buy the little contraption to make the bias tape with, you feed in the strip and it folds it as it comes out the other end, then you just press it. I find that the colors of the bias tape are so blah and basic, that I can never find the color I want to go with the fabric I have, so I started making my own, great way to use up left over cotton pieces as well.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: keljo60
Date: 08-24-2006, 11:50 AM (3 of 13)
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I thought of making my own, but I need so much that I thought it would be easier to buy it. I did find a place online where I can buy a 50 yd roll of white (what I use the most) for about $21. I might go that route.
Kelly
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! |
User: keljo60
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 154
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From: MissTaraTara
Date: 08-24-2006, 01:20 PM (4 of 13)
| I, too, have started making my own bias tape. I saved an article from SewNews magazine that demonstrated how to fold your yardage a certain way, mark your desired width, stitch 2 seams, then when you cut on the lines you have one extremely long bias piece. It took me awhile to understand the instructions, but now I that I know how to do it......woo hoo!! The article even gave approximately how many yards of a certain width of tape you can get from one yard of fabric, and there is virtually NO WASTE! |
User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006 Total posts: 227 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-24-2006, 05:23 PM (5 of 13)
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I use that method all the time to make binding for the placemats I make.. I can get enough to bind 6 placemats from such a small square of fabric.. Its unbelieveable...
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: yellowrose
Date: 08-25-2006, 09:15 AM (6 of 13)
Libby and miss Tara could you tell me how to do this? Thanks Judy 
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User: yellowrose
Member since: 07-09-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: Patty22
Date: 08-25-2006, 09:12 PM (7 of 13)
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http://www.sew-whats-new.com/sewing/bias.shtml These are the best directions for bias tape making. Oh my, save your money and make your own bias tape! What is best is you can really coordinate your bias tape to go with what you are making rather than going with stock colors. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: keljo60
Date: 08-26-2006, 11:30 AM (8 of 13)
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I read this but I couldn't make any sense out of it! I have bunches and bunches of fabric that would work, but I don't understand the instructions! Help!
Kelly
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! |
User: keljo60
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 154
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From: Patty22
Date: 08-26-2006, 12:02 PM (9 of 13)
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Let's break it down. Start with a perfect square of fabric. Since most cottons come in 44 to 45" width, the largest square one could possibly cut would be 44" x 44" (making sure the selvadge edge is removed because it is a tighter weave and might cause puckering eventually). Cut across from opposite corners to form a diagonal line. This will create the bias edges. Can you follow the directions from there putting the pieces together to form a giant "tooth"? Sew the seam across the top of the "tooth" making sure your right sides are together. Press that seam open and mark your bias tape width onto the fabric. Your next seam in the fabric will skip one row of your tape so the seam you are sewing will look a bit gagged. This will allow you to start cutting a continuous piece of tape from the marked line you made. How about trying the steps on a small 12" square following the directions from the website and when you get to the part that stumps you, we can try and "type" you through this. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: yellowrose
Date: 08-26-2006, 02:28 PM (10 of 13)
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Thanks Patty and Miss TaraTara for the information. I'm going to give a try as I also have trouble finding the colors I need. Judy
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User: yellowrose
Member since: 07-09-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: keljo60
Date: 08-26-2006, 05:37 PM (11 of 13)
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I under stand the instructions until it gets to the point of "cut one line about 6" or so .......", that's where I get lost. It would be nice if someone could take pictures step by step and post them! What I get confused on is how it makes one continuous tape?!?!?!?!?
Kelly
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! |
User: keljo60
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 154
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From: Patty22
Date: 08-26-2006, 06:13 PM (12 of 13)
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Okay Kelly, I understand what is confusing. You are at the point where you have marked how wide you want your bias strips. Along the first edge start cutting down about 6" and stop. Now take your raw edges (right sides together) and place so that they will be even when you open them up (little dog ears sticking out). Sew this seam so you have a little tube and then your 6" of tape sticking out. What that little cutting action does is start your bias tape and when you keep cutting along your marking lines you will have one long piece. This cutting also makes sure that you have your seam placement correct rather than just moving your fabric cown to your marked line when sewing. Is this thick as mud? I'm sure that one you get one made you will think ...."gee that's easy!" http://www.grynmoors.org/sewing/biastape.htm This web site shows how to make the double fold bias tape once your long strips are made; it is an easy way to iron. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-26-2006, 06:15 PM (13 of 13)
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The directions just have you to snip a few inches to start the cutting line so that you will not sew the tube wrong.. after the starter cut, stop and do the sewing to make it into a tube.. (maybe you missed that in the directions).. It will look very whompy jawed until it is pressed, but believe me it works.. after pressing finish cutting and it will just go round and round to the end ..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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