Online Sewing Lesson #2 Bias Tape

This is the second online sewing lesson for my daughters:

Bias tape is just strips of fabric cut on the bias and folded. You can buy single fold bias tape and double fold bias tape. I like the double fold for most of my projects. It also comes in different widths. The size you buy will depend on the project you are making. For the aprons I have been working on, I bought extra wide.

You can also make your own bias tape. Basically, you just cut strips of fabric the width you need on the bias, or diagonally, of your fabric. Then, you fold it in half, then fold each side in half again towards the middle of the strip. You are then ready to attach it to the project. It is normally used to make a finished edge on the project. It works well for this because it has a lot of “give” and helps you go around corners and curves easily.

To attach the bias tape, open it out like this:

Sandwich the fabric of the project you are working on in the middle, like this:

You may have a project that has several layers of fabric, such as a quilt. I used bias tape that I made myself on this one, and sewed it on with a needle and thread:

Or, you may have only one layer, as in an apron, a skirt, or a blouse. I used purchased bias tape on this one, and sewed it on using the sewing machine:

Sometimes you might want to sew one edge on using the sewing machine, and then sew the second edge on using a needle and thread to make a “blind stitch”, or one that does not show on the outside of the garment or project. It just depends on the project.