Handmade Napkins - Make Binding

If you've never seen a bias tape maker before, here is what it looks like and how you use it.

Slip the binding strip into the large end of the tape maker wrong side up. Use a straight pin to pull the fabric through to the small end.  Pin end to your ironing board. Pull tape maker along the strip, pressing it flat as it comes out of the small end.  

 

Once you've pressed the entire strip, fold it one more time along its length and press the crease into place. 

Comments

[Michele]

I had no idea a tool like this existed....I must have one!!

[Alvina]

What a wonderful tool! I've been looking for something like this for a long time now. Such a pity I can't get it from you coz I don't have a credit card.

[kimc]

THAT is one nifty tool. Must have one ;)

[Missy]

Wowzers! I NEED one of these!!
Thanks for the tip!

[Jane]

Thanks for this post! I hadn't been able to tell what or how these worked when I saw them online before!

[Tricia]

These are the best instructions out there!

Thank you!!

[Mrs. Romel Caldwell]

Like the other comments I had no idea that this tool existed. I make little girls dresses and sometimes I have to stop and go and get more bias tape. I keep all of my scraps that would make pefect bias tape and now I got to tell all of my sewing buddies. I thank you so much for this listing.

[Cindy Keery]

Thanks for the visual! I have a couple of these, but have never figured out how to use them. I was wondering, how do you know what size to cut your fabric strip?

[Katie Wild]

Thanks, I just bought one the other day. They must be popular as there wasn't any 12mm ones left!

Can I ask do you cut your bias on the cross like traditional bias? I was planning to but think I'll use an awful amount of material that way. I need to bind armholes, necklines and the zipper edges of a sleeping sac (baby one)

Ta

Katie

[purl bee]

Hi Katie,
If I'm going to bind something straight, like a napkin or a plain quilt edge I cut my fabric with the grain, if I'm binding something curved like a neckline then I cut it on the bias. Hope this helps! (Also, we should get more tape makers in soon!) --Joelle

[Paula]

How do you use a bias tape maker with "fusible" bias tape. I just bought a tape maker that has a slot on the bottom for the fabric, and a slot on the top for "fusible bias tape".