Bias binding is an excellent thing to have on hand as it can be used for making piping, covering edges and creating facings. It comes in many different widths and folds as well as fabric types. You can even make your own!
For some garments, you may want to use bias binding to finish the edges instead of facings. This is an excellent idea for thin or sheer fabrics. There are two ways to do this: one is decorative and functional, the other simply functional. The Sorbetto top uses bias binding as a decorative facing.
In place of a regular facing, use these instructions to attach bias binding to your garment. Remember that you can use whatever color fabric you like, but if using a thin or sheer fabric, try to use a lightweight fabric. This will keep any curves from waving or standing away from your body.
Tools Needed:
- single fold bias tape
- scissors
Plain Facing
1. Place a pin at the center back. About 1″ away from the center back, pin the bias tape open, leaving 2″ of tape hanging. Walk the tape around the neckline carefully, pinning as you go.
2. Pin the tape at least 1″ away from center back. Snip off a 2″ tail.
3. Sew along the first fold of the tape. Take care not to pull at the garment or the tape.
4. After you finish sewing the tape, put the two ends together and lay it against the garment. You’re figuring out where to stitch the tape together. Place a pin in the tape, marking where you’ll sew them together.
5. Sew the tape together.
6. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4″ and press open.
7. Finish sewing the bias tape to the garment.
8. Iron the tape toward the inside of the garment. Make sure none of the tape is peeping over the edge.
9. Using an edgestitch foot, seam guide, or merely eyeballing it, stitch close to the edge of the bias tape. Trim threads. Press to finish.
Decorative Facing
1. Pin the right side of the bias tape open to the wrong side of one shoulder, leaving 2″ of tape hanging. Walk the tape around the neckline carefully.
Steps 2 – 9 are the same.
Thanks so much for posting this! The Sorbetto blouse is the first I’ve ever made, and I was JUST scouring your blog for a tutorial on the bias tape binding! I successfully made it last night, and tonight I’ll attach it to the shirt… I’m sure with this tutorial I can’t go wrong!
Thanks again.. I have really enjoyed your site as inspiration.
Next up is the Sencha blouse! ;)
Clear and simple – Thanks!
I’ve always wondered how you join the binding. Thank you so much for posting.
Wooo Hoo!! I’m at this step with the blouse today, and was having difficulty as to how to approach this . Thank you, thank you. Great tutorial.
Hugs,
Elise
Um….I was always taught to clip the inside seam allowance when sewing on a curve, even with binding. So it doesn’t pull, and will lay flat. Do you do this as well?
I think you do it when it’s necessary. It depends on the fabric.
This may seem like a silly question but would a bias binding like this work instead of a facing on the Crepe dress neckline and sleeves? I think this might look neater for the fabric I am working with. Thanks for the help! Really wonderful patterns.
Thank you, so much for posting this! I’ve been wanting to learn how to do necklines for a while.
Thanks again!
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I have been searching high and low for some sheer bias binding with the name, “Seams-Rite” for the edge of some huck lace linen placemats I have woven. Does anyone know of any anywhere? Please let me know if you do. Thank you
Hey Norma,
I believe it’s called “Seams Great” and I did a quick search on ebay where there are several sellers of this product. This is something that I use on a regular basis and I love it.
Hope this helps,
Debbie…(O:
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[...] photographing the process, but there a blogs out there that have done it better than me, namely The Coletterie. I’m still perfecting my bias-tape [...]
How do you get the edge to lay flat on the neckline when using bias tape? the lowest part of the neckline on my top (which isn’t very low) wants to spring out. I have had to resort to facings again to get the fabric to cooperate.
Is there anyway to repair/replace just the bottom ends of a jacket/separating zipper,
Instead of replacing the whole zipper??
Thanks. Very clever and useful.
Already tested here : http://francine-et-rosalie.blogspot.fr/2013/01/bonne-annee.html
[...] Coletterie Blog [...]
[...] ago in my blog hopping, i read about bias-finished seams here and here, a technique i’d been wanting to try. i love little surprise details like that, and when i [...]