How to Create a Flawless Bias Tape Insert

By Wendy Scribner

Here’s an example of how you can incorporate flawless bias tape into a home décor project.

Here’s an example of how you can incorporate flawless bias tape into a home décor project.

Great sewing is centered around flawless details. One of my favorite techniques is to apply a contrasting bias tape to trim my garments, quilts, and wall hangings. Using this bias tape as a trim grounds a project and ties all the fabric and design elements together. Taking the time to apply bias tape elevates a project from ordinary to extraordinary.

You’ll often see these types of details on very expensive couture garments and home decor. But this is the challenge: it has to be flawless! The width of the bias tape must be consistent and the stitching lines must be clean and crisp. But here’s the good news, after 50 plus years of sewing, I have developed a technique that guarantees a perfect finish to your bias tape. (Bonus: it’s easy!)

The following instructions will create a 5/8 inch bias tape as shown on the comforter and in the chest seam of the dress.

10 Sewing Tips from the Experts

Tips Before You Begin

To make this project more interesting, I hand-painted the fabric to complement the bias tape.

To make this project more interesting, I hand-painted the fabric to complement the bias tape.

If you are using this technique on a garment, make sure the pattern you are using fits the intended person. Alteration to seams where this trim is applied makes the alterations more difficult.

If you are using light fabric against dark fabric, test the bias fabric to make sure the main fabric will not show through the bias fabric.

Before you head to the sewing machine, you will want to decide where you want the trim to be placed on your project. Because the fabric is cut on the bias, it will work on areas that are curved as well as straight lines. I normally place the trim on an area where I want to draw attention. If you are easing fabric such as the bust line, I would recommend placing the bias embellishment on the center front pieces rather than the piece that is to be gathered or eased.

Creating the Bias Tape

flawless bias trim 1 Step 1: Start by folding your fabric on a 45 degree angle. With a straight edge cut the fabric in 1½ inch strips.

flawless bias trim 2 Step 2: Next place the bias fabric on the main fabric with the pretty sides facing each other. Using a sewing gauge, position the bias fabric 1” from the edge of the fabric.

flawless bias trim 4 Step 3: Next, fold over the bias tape and press toward the edges of the garment or project. Top stitch or baste the raw edge of the bias tape to the main fabric. Stitch about ¼ inch from the side of the main fabric. This keeps the bias fabric from slipping or moving.

flawless bias trim 3 Step 4: Now using the edge of your presser foot, follow the edge of the bias fabric. This should give you about a ¼ inch seam line. If it’s not exactly ¼ inch, that’s okay as long as you are consistent with the use of the presser foot.

The next step is to sew the seams of the garment or project. Pin the two pieces together.

flawless bias trim 5 Step 5: Before sewing the main fabric together, flip the fabric pieces over so the first stitching line of the bias tape is visible. Instead of stitching 5/8 from the edge of the fabric, follow the previous stitching line exactly 5/8 of an inch. In theory, if this is done correctly, you will end up with a perfect bias tape and a 5/8 seam!

flawless bias trim 6 Step 6: Now open the seam and press as recommended and… voila! Perfect!

bias trim dress 2 This bias tape when placed on the chest seam is the perfect accent to finish this dress. There are loads of ways you can incorporate this technique into your own projects and designs though. So what will you make using your own flawless bias tape? Let us know in the comments!




























You might also be interested in:

Creating Continuous Bias Binding
Applying Bias Tape to Edges and Mitering Corners
The Ins and Outs of Bias Tape
Neatly Finished Bias Binding
Using Bias Fabric Grain

Wendy Haight Scribner is a quilter, designer, inventor, and entrepreneur living in Hidden Springs, Idaho. She began sewing when she was just 8 years old. Her passion for all things fabric has and will always be the central focus of her life. You can connect with Wendy on Facebook or visit her Etsy shop, Wendy Haight Create, to see her hand-painted apron kits and other one-of-a-kind treasures.


Get in touch! Leave a comment or email editor@nationalsewingcircle.com

10 Sewing Tips from the Experts

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

Make a comment:
characters remaining

19 Responses to “How to Create a Flawless Bias Tape Insert”

  1. Martin Crane

    Very interesting and well-informed guidance.

  2. Patty Huston

    Very good instructions

  3. Terry Rivard

    good

  4. Carol

    Not easy to fillow

  5. Karen Dimercurio

    I can't wait to use the bias tape insert. Karen

  6. JB

    This tutorial is very confusing...can't figure out what we are suppose to do!

  7. delin thompson

    I agree with the others who found this confusing. There should be no assumptions when teaching a technique...ie the 45 degree fold should have been shown.

  8. CME

    Sorry, but I need to rant about the complaints here. I understood what she has written and the pictures were easy to see. I so wish people would be grateful for the hard work that many of these contributors add to this website. Whatever happened to the Golden Rule: do (say) unto others as you would have them do (say) to you! Thank you for this information!

  9. turtle2dove03

    What a confusing instructional video. I see all of the previous responses that have been submitted on this video have not been acted on. All of the same confusing pictures and instructions are still shown. The title should read "How to be confused on making a bias tape insert".

  10. M B Paz

    "Pretty sides together"? Why not use the most accepted term "right sides together" accompanied by a clear photo? This way anyone who does not immediately know the term will quickly learn it and it will recognize it when they see it on 99% of other sewing tutorials? Have to agree with other posters, VERY poorly written and honestly a waste of my time.