Bias Tape Part 1: Cutting the Fabric

Materials:

• fabric - anywhere from a fat quarter to a yard, depending on how much bias tape you want
• a yardstick or other long measuring tool - a wide, clear quilting ruler is nice
• either a bias tape maker or a tool that forms it by hand
• scissors or a large cutting mat and rotary cutting tool
• disappearing fabric ink pen - or a Sharpie, since the ink will be on the inside of the tape
• an iron
• a pin

Instructions:

1. The first step of any method for making bias tape is to cut strips of fabric. This tutorial makes double fold bias and uses 2 inch strips. Place your fabric on a large surface on the bias - that just means that it should look like a diamond.
   
       
    
2. Draw a straight line down from one side of the top point. If your fabric has dots, like mine, follow a line of dots.
   
       
    
3. Cut along the dotted line. Draw a line 2 inches from the first line - keep doing this until all fabric has lines all across it as shown:
   
   
   
   
    
4. Cut fabric on the lines - you'll end up with a pile of fabric strips.
   
   
    
5. Sew each strip together (right sides together along where I've placed a pin) to make one long strip. The second picture shows how your seam will look.
   
   
   
   
    
6. Check out Part 2: Machine Method and/or Part 3: Hand Tool Method for instructions on how to fold the bias tape.