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This pattern is copyrighted 2021 to Rebecca Page by rebecca-page.com
Please feel free to make garments from this pattern to sell. If you do, we would love you to include a credit to rebecca-page.com as the pattern designer, but it is up to you.
The finished product may only be sold by crafters. It may not be mass produced. You can only sell the finished product; you cannot sell the pattern or these instructions.
Best of luck and happy sewing!
14
Bias Binding Tutorial
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- +Preparation
Project Overview
Terminology
Bias Tape – These are the same thing, however in some parts of the world people call it bias binding (e.g. UK & NZ), whereas in other parts of the world people call it bias tape (e.g. USA and parts of Europe). I grew up in NZ and live in the UK so from here on I’ll refer to it as bias binding.
Single fold bias binding – Single-fold bias binding is strips of fabric which are cut on the bias, with each raw edge folded in toward the center (wrong sides together) and pressed.
Single fold bias binding has lots of uses. For example, you’ll often find it on professionally stitched garments to cover up raw edges on the inside of armholes and waistbands.
Double fold bias binding – Double-fold bias binding is single fold bias binding that has been folded in half along its center line.
Most of my patterns that use bias binding call for double fold bias binding.
My favorite use for double fold bias binding in children’s clothing is around any edge of the garment. For example, around a hem or around an armhole. It’s fold goes over the raw edge of the garment, so it’s totally enclosed once you stitch it on.
Our Facebook group is a great place to get help, share your tips and creations! We are a friendly bunch, and we love to help and see what you have made.
Please read the full instructions before getting started.
Wash, dry, and press your fabric before starting your project. A bit of prep now prevents shrinking and means your garment will stay the same size you made it.
Never leave a child or baby unattended or allow to sleep in a garment made from one of our patterns with ties, snaps, buttons, or anything they could remove, choke on, or get caught on. Always use caution if you are unsure. We love our patterns, but we love your bundles of joy more!
SizingSize Range
Craft
Cutting InstructionsCUTTING OUT – Cut out a strip of fabric on the bias (diagonal). For 1 inch wide bias binding, cut it 2 inches wide. For 1 ½ inch wide binding cut it 3 inches wide etc.
- + Instructions
- CUTTING OUT – Cut out a strip of fabric on the bias (diagonal). For 1 inch wide bias binding, cut it 2 inches wide. For 1 ½ inch wide binding cut it 3 inches wide etc.
- STITCHING TOGETHER – If you need a longer piece of bias binding, stitch however many strips you need together by placing them right side together at right angles and stitching along the diagonal.
- PRESSING – Fold in half lengthways and press. Unfold the strip and then fold the raw edges into the center line you just folded in. Press. If you’re wanting single fold bias binding, you are now finished. For double fold bias binding, fold the strip in half again down the center line you made at the beginning of step 3 to complete it ready for use.
Quick Glance Cheat SheetSewing –
1 . Cutting Out1.1Wash and iron your fabric. Then lay the fabric so the raw edges are horizontal, and the selvedge is vertical.
TIP – the raw edges are the edges that will fray if you pick at them. The selvedge edge is the one that won’t fray. It often looks a bit different and sometimes has writing or markings on it. You’ll see in the top right corner of this photo the selvedge for this fabric has the fabric companies logo on it.
1.2Fold the selvedge edge down to meet the raw edge so it forms a diagonal fold.
1.3Using a ruler, measure how wide you want the strip and cut it out.
When you buy bias binding in stores or online, the width is usually talked about as if it was single fold bias binding. So 1 inch wide bias binding would be 1 inch if it was single fold, or ½ inch if it’s double fold.
When you’re cutting out, measure double the finished width you want.
E.g. For 1 inch wide single bias binding (or ½ inch wide double fold) cut your strip 2 inches wide.
– For 1 ½ inch wide single bias binding (or ¾ inch wide double fold) cut your strip 3 inches wide.
1.4Unfold the strip and check you’ve cut your strip the right width.
If you are happy with the length of your strip of bias binding, move to step 3.1.
If you want a longer piece, then continue to step 1.5.
1.5Next, use the strip you have just cut as a template for more.
Keep your fabric flat (photo a) and lay the strip you’ve just cut on the fabric directly next to the diagonal edge and cut again.
Keep moving the strip along and cut as many more as you need. See photo b for how you keep cutting more strips next to each other.
2 . Stitching Together2.1Fold the bottom edge of each of your strips on a 45 degree angle and cut.
See photo c for before, and photo d for after the 45 degree cut.
2.2Fold the top edge of each of your strips down at a 45 degree angle and cut.
The top edges should now be cut exactly opposite to the bottom edges.
2.3Place one strip right side up vertically. Place another strip right side down horizontally. Make sure the pointy edges stick out slightly over the sides like in the photo (by approx. ¼ inch each). Pin together.
2.4Stitch along the straight edge approx. ¼ inch from the edge. Your stitching should run from where the two fabrics join on one side, to where they join on the other side.
2.5Open the strips and press the seam allowance to one side. Your strips should now be in a long straight line.
If the two strips don’t align in one long straight strip of fabric, close the fabric back up how it was in step 2.4, cut the seam allowance off, realign your fabric, and stitch it again.
2.6Snip the raw edge off that’s sticking out at the bottom of the diagonal.
3 . Pressing3.1With wrong sides together, fold the strip in half lengthwise and press.
3.2Open the strip back out. Then fold each of the raw edges in to meet the center fold that you just pressed in step 3.1. Press your new folds.
For Single Fold Bias Binding – Press across the whole strip so you press out the fold you made in 3.1. You’ll be left with just the folds you made in this step. It’s now finished.
For Double Fold Bias Binding – Continue to step 3.3.
3.3Fold the bias binding in half again down the center line you made in step 3.1. Press. Your double fold bias binding is now finished.
- + Finishing Notes and Congratulations
Finishing Notes and Congratulations
Congratulations, your Bias Binding is done. Enjoy!
We would love to hear how you got on and see photos of your finished project!
Join us at our Facebook Group, tag us on Instagram, or use the hashtag #rpbiasbinding.
Thank you for using a Rebecca Page pattern.
© Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved
Sales + Licencing InformationProject OverviewTerminology
Bias Tape – These are the same thing, however in some parts of the world people call it bias binding (e.g. UK & NZ), whereas in other parts of the world people call it bias tape (e.g. USA and parts of Europe). I grew up in NZ and live in the UK so from here on I’ll refer to it as bias binding.
Single fold bias binding – Single-fold bias binding is strips of fabric which are cut on the bias, with each raw edge folded in toward the center (wrong sides together) and pressed.
Single fold bias binding has lots of uses. For example, you’ll often find it on professionally stitched garments to cover up raw edges on the inside of armholes and waistbands.
Double fold bias binding – Double-fold bias binding is single fold bias binding that has been folded in half along its center line.
Most of my patterns that use bias binding call for double fold bias binding.
My favorite use for double fold bias binding in children’s clothing is around any edge of the garment. For example, around a hem or around an armhole. It’s fold goes over the raw edge of the garment, so it’s totally enclosed once you stitch it on.
SizingSize Range
Craft