Unlock the Secret of Making Your Own Bias Binding

Bias binding is essential to good quality sewing projects. I use it for so many things! Here’s how you can make your own bias binding without breaking the bank!

This post contains affiliate links. By making a purchase I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. Thank you for your support!

Uses for Bias Binding

There are many ways you can use handmade bias binding in your sewing. I find that I use it on almost every garment that I make. Once you get started you will be surprised at how handy it is to have around! The photo above was for my recent reversible pencil skirt project which will be coming to the blog soon. The stripes are used on the bias for the skirt edging. The contrasting strip of fabric is not only functional but practical too. Bias binding is deceptively easy to make. I thought I would give you a head’s up on making the binding because I know you will want to get to sewing bias binding right away! Here are some ways to incorporate bias binding into your sewing:

• Replace bulky facings with binding. Having worked in the lingerie industry, I discovered that they rarely use facings. Raw edges are more often finished with lace, finely rolled hems, or strips of bias binding. If you look at your ready-to-wear items in your closet, you will find many of those things don’t have facings either. Items like t-shirts, silky blouses, necklines of tops and dresses, or sleeveless armholes all have binding strips instead of facings. The black dress in the photo above was a complicated sewing pattern with multiple facings. I simplified it by using homemade satin binding to finish the neckline and shoulder seams. I love how it turned out! You can read more details on this little black dress project here.

Popular Tutorials with Bias Binding

• Use bias binding in a contrasting fabric for finishing seams. You may be familiar with the Hong Kong seam finish method. This technique uses bias strips to finish the inside seam allowances using fabrics such as sequins, wool, poplin, gabardine, canvas, etc. It is often used in menswear on trousers and in men’s and women’s unlined jackets. Use contrasting fabric for a pop of color and pattern! In this sequin skirt, I used polka dot cotton bias binding to finish the sequin piece of fabric and keep it from shedding sequins. You can read that tutorial here.

• Use bias binding for finishing quilting projects. You can purchase single fold binding, but it is expensive. It only comes in limited colors, and it absolutely never comes in prints. Personally, I also dislike the polyester/crunchy feel of store-bought quilt binding tape. Homemade bias binding is perfect because you can make it in any fabric for finishing edges of quilts, potholders, pillows, and other home decor items. You can read about how I finished these quilted potholders in this post.

Video Tutorials

In this tutorial I use the following products:

• Clover 1″ Bias Tape Maker #25
• Faultless Heavy Duty Spray Starch
• Cricut Rotary Cutter
• Cricut Self Healing Mat
• Rowenta Steam Iron

I have made several tutorials for you with step-by-step instructions. Start with this first video and give it a try. Once you understand how it works you can move on to my sewing method in the next video. Be sure to let me know if you have any questions!

More Inspiration

Still looking for more sewing inspiration? Here are a few other posts you will love.

4 Unique Styles from 1 Basic Kimono Pattern

Eyelet Tunic Dress with Ruffle Sleeve

11 Tips for Choosing the Best Fabric Online

The Tunic Bible: Embroider Your Tunic

Gertie Inspired Vintage Party Dress

Don’t forget to Pin this post for later!