Bias Tape Making Adventure

While looking through different sewing sites I found a tutorial to make your own bias tape. Seemed easy enough and you can't buy a patterned bias but with the right combinations it is adorable! So I went and bought a set of bias tape makers and (since it was a trial run) I grabbed a scrap piece of fabric that was square enough and large enough to work with and off I went with enthusiasm (but not my camera, sorry there's very few pictures here).

I cut my fabric and lined my fabric and set of to the sewing machine. All the lines (mostly) lined up as I pinned but as I began to sew I found that I was off much more than I thought but I kept on going, thinking "I can work with this." It was all sewn and I stared cutting and it was easy at first and I was patting myself on the back think "see I knew I could do this" and then I hit the area that didn't line up and I was a little (okay, a lot) more confused. I knew that I had measured equal widths so I kind of found a chosen spot to angle to the "off" line and continue back on the line - I think I worded that in the most confusing possible way, sorry! Anyway, I got it all cut, and it was MUCH longer than I though it would be. So I looked at this rather large pile of fabric on the floor and thought "I'll continue this tomorrow, I've had too much trouble today." (Sometimes you just need to sleep on things- never forget this, it comes in handy in all areas of life.)

The next day I got the big Ks to school, got a few chores done, and the little Ks were down for a nap and I went back to try and tackle it. So I grabbed my iron and my fabric and my bias tape maker and I look at the width of my fabric and the bias size I planned on making and thought "there's no way" - I had cut my fabric for a half inch bias instead of a 1 inch bias (off to a great start for day 2). Good thing I bought a set of bias makers! I grabbed the half inch maker and pulled the fabric through and I get my iron right behind it and off I go! And hour later I 12 inches of bias made and burnt myself at least 3 times- moving right along with the pace I had been keeping. It would not hold it's shape for ANYTHING!! So, remembering I had some starch, I decided to starch the fabric and see if that helped. I soaked the fabric in starch for about an hour (or more- the twins woke up and I lost track). When I had them locked in chairs to eat I went back at it- completely easy. I did find it helped if I help my finger right after the maker (I also remembered my camera this time :) )

Like that, you can't tell because my hand is in the way but the bias maker is right behind my fingers. I have seen bias makers that seem like they would hold the fabric down better than the ones I bought (the only ones Hobby Lobby had), I think that would make this part easier but as you can see I was finally starting to get somewhere. After about 2 hours I was FINALLY done!!

There you have it, I wrapped it around a piece of cut cardboard to keep it accessible and I think I got about 7 yards. I did have one sections seam give out, which is why there's two ends visible in the picture (and the 18 inches that came off isn't included in the total yardage I gave). It was an adventure to say the least but with a little practice I think it will get much easier.

That's all for now,
Jo!