How to use a bias tape maker

Love using bias binding but hate the store bought bias? Make your own with a bias tape maker, a cool gadget designed to turn bias strips into bias tape in a blink of an eye! Here you’ll learn how to use a bias tape maker!

How to use a bias tape maker

I absolutely love bias tape and I use it in lots of my sewing projects! It makes life so much easier and helps sewing projects look neat and professional! I decided to make my life even easier and learn how to use a bias tape maker!

I showed you before how to make bias binding without a bias maker and now it’s time to show you how to use a bias tape maker! Because this teeny tiny bias maker tool is worth its money in gold! And a whole lot more!

Making my own bias has always been pretty fast, easy and simple using the method I linked to above. But I never realized how much time using a bias tape maker will save me! Totally worth spending a couple of minutes learning how to use a bias tape maker lol

Making fun of myself here because I admit it, I actually thought using a bias tape maker would be so much more complicated. And that’s the reason I didn’t use these babies until now although they’ve been in my sewing cabinet for ages.

Check out this Bias Tape Series:

• Making bias tape without a tape maker
• How to make continuous bias binding
• Bias calculator, formula & cheat sheet
• How to sew single fold bias
• How to sew double fold bias tape
• Sewing mitered corners with bias tape
• How to join bias binding ends

What is bias tape maker?

A bias binding maker is a little gadget with lots of power, sort of like a super hero lol It’s designed to help you make your own bias in literally two minutes!

How does bias tape maker work?

Bias makers come in 5 different sizes and I own four sizes: 6mm, 12mm, 18mm, 25mm and 50 mm, the most commonly used being the 12 and 25mm. Clover has all 5 sizes in one package so if you plan on purchasing them please use this link.

You will get finished bias in these sizes: 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″ and 2″. I own two brands: Clover for the 6mm and Prym for the 12, 18 and 25mm.

The bias maker features a larger end, and a small end.

You’ll need bias strip with a pointy end that you need to push through the wide end of the tape maker. When going out through the smaller, narrow end of the tape maker, the fabric will shape into single folded bias tape. With the iron on steam you’ll press the newly formed bias strip while pulling the bias maker away from the iron using the little handle which is the third super cool feature of the bias binding maker located on top.

This is how the bias strip comes out through the narrow end of the bias maker. If you want to turn your single fold bias into double fold bias tape simple fold the bias in half and press with your iron.

How to get the perfect bias tape every time with a bias tape maker

This was my main concern before using a bias tape maker. How will I get the perfect bias every time? Now that I’ve used it a few times I have to say it’s easier than I thought!

The secret is in how you cut your strips and how you arrange your fabric strip before pushing into the bias tape maker.

To get the best results please make sure to follow these few simple tips:

• use a rotary cutter, ruler and mat to cut your bias strips
• make sure all your strips are of even width
• cut the end of the strip at an angle to make it easier to insert into the bias maker.
• press your fabric well with a hot iron on steam before pushing it through the bias maker (this will help it keep its shape and make it easier to sew).
• arrange your fabric strip so that  the right side of the fabric is facing down and the wrong side is facing up.
• always press your bias with an iron after removing it from the bias tape maker. This will help it keep its shape and make it easier to sew.
• if you want to make double fold bias tape simply fold the newly made bias in half and press with your iron.

How to use a bias tape maker for different fabrics

I’ve used my bias tape maker with quilting cotton, regular cotton, linen, canvas and even leather! You can use many types of fabrics to make your own bias tape.

If you’re using leather, skip pressing the tape with your iron. Instead use your fingers or a leather roller tool.

If you want to use a bias tape maker with a heavier fabric, I would recommend using a rotary cutter to cut your strips as it will be easier and more accurate than using scissors.

If you’re using your bias maker with thin fabrics , like I do most often, spraying the fabric with a little starch before pressing will help it keep its shape and make it easier to insert into the bias maker.

Common mistakes when using a bias tape maker

The two most common mistakes when using this tape maker are:

1. not cutting your strips accurately enough which will result in wavy bias tape or
2. not pressing your bias tape properly after removing it from the bias tape maker. This will make it harder to sew the bias tape and the tape is more likely to pucker.

To avoid these mistakes, make sure to use a rotary cutter and ruler to cut your strips accurately and press your bias tape well with an iron immediately after pulling it out from the tape maker.

Troubleshooting tips for bias makers

If your bias maker is giving you trouble, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• make sure the fabric strip you’re using is of even width
• if the fabric is too thick or thin it might be hard to push it through the maker. Try using a rotary cutter to cut your strips if you’re using a thicker fabric or spraying the fabric with a little starch if it’s too thin
• check that the inside of your bias tape maker is not clogged with fabric or lint
• if your bias tape is coming out wavy, make sure your strips are cut accurately and press the bias tape well with an iron after removing it from the bias tape maker

With these tips, you should be able to make beautiful bias tape with your bias tape maker!

 

How to make bias tape with a bias tape maker

Materials:

• bias tape maker (Clover or Prym)
• fabric strips cut on bias
• iron, on the steam setting
• pin (optional)

Directions:

• Cut fabric strips on bias (see this tutorial for tips on how to cut bias strips the easiest way; video included)
• The fabric strips should be as wide as the larger end of the bias maker and should have a pointy end so you can easily insert and push it through the bias binding maker.
• Set your iron on the steam setting.
• Push the fabric strip through the large end of the bias maker all the way through the other end (the smaller end)

• Slightly pull it out with your hand, just enough for you to be able to see that it’s forming into bias tape.

• Press with your iron.

• Pull the handle on the bias tape with one hand and gently pull away from the iron while pressing the bias tape with the opposite hand.

• If you want double fold bias, simply fold again the single fold bias when you finish using your bias maker.

Thanks for reading this tutorial! I hope you found it helpful and are now able to make your own bias tape with ease. There are many different ways to use bias tape, so be creative and have fun with it! If you have any questions or tips of your own, please leave a comment below. Happy sewing!

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