How to Make Bias Tape

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

• Woven fabric (like cotton)
• Ruler (a clear one helps)
• Marking pen or pencil (that washes out)

Step 2: Calculate the Width of Your Strips

• For single fold bias tape, it should be the width of your final tape minus 1/8”. (For example, if you want 1/2” single fold bias tape, cut 7/8” wide strips)
• For double fold bias tape, your strips should be 4 times the width of your final tape minus 1/8”. (For example, if you want 1/2” double fold bias tape, cut strips that are 1 and 7/8” wide)

Step 3: Mark Your Fabric & Cut

Next, you’re going to mark your lines. To do this, first find your grainline of your fabric, then a 45 degree angle from it. Draw a line at the 45 degree angle, and then mark parallel lines in width you calculated above. Cut your fabric along the lines so you have a bunch of strips.

Step 4: Cut Your Ends

In order to connect your bias tape strips easily, you need to draw a 45 degree angle line across each strip end. Then cut.

Step 5: Join Your Ends

Line up the ends of each strip, as pictured, with 1/4” hanging off at each side. Stitch together with 1/4” seam allowance. Repeat for each of your strips, joining them into 1 long strip.

Step 6: Press & Trim Ends

Press your seam open and trim off the excess triangles.

Step 7: Fold Edges & Press

Press the edges toward the center.

Step 8: Fold In Half

For double fold tape, press in half. At this point, leave one side a little longer than the other (about 1/16” or 1/32”). This will make it easier when you sew, if you align the longer side on the bottom (where you can’t see when you’re sewing).

That’s it; you’re done! Now use your bias tape as edging, or as piping.