How to Make Double Fold Bias Tape: Binding Tutorial

Double fold bias tape is great for a lot of different sewing projects – from garment making to home dec. The great part about making your own is that you can use any fabric – not just what comes prepackaged. It saves money and you can customize your project with the fabrics you choose to make your own.

Yes, you can purchase pre-made bias tape. Making your own bias tape isn’t difficult and then your trim choices are unlimited!

Double-fold bias tape is used to make a finished look on a variety of home dec, quilting, and garment-making projects. Being cut on the bias, it is perfect to cover a curved edge.

Note: If you are binding a straight edge, you can use binding made from straight grain fabric.

What is Double Fold Bias Tape?

Double fold bias tape is single fold tape that is folded and pressed again, making it easier to apply as an edging on fabric. Both single and double fold start with a bias strip of fabric and are pressed to form the tape. You can use single fold for applications that recommend double fold, but you’d need to press double flat to use it as single fold bias tape.

Yield: Double Fold Bias Tape

How to Make Double Fold Bias Tape

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Double fold bias tape is perfect for finishing the edges of sewing projects -- from placemats to necklines. It is easy to make your own double fold bias tape out of any fabrics. You can use matching fabric, or pick a complementary fabric to dress up your sewing project!

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Materials

• 1/4 - 1/2 yard of fabric of your choice

Tools

• Rotary mat
• Rotary cutter
• Iron
• Bias tape maker, or use the two pin method

Instructions

1. Determine the finished folded width for your double fold bias take. Multiply the finished width x 4. You'll want to cut your bias fabric strip this width LESS 1/8". Example, if you want 1/2" finished double fold bias tape, cut your fabric 1-7/8" (2" - 1/8" = 1-7/8").
   
   Cut your fabric on the bias the width you determined. To learn more about cutting on the bias, see our post on How to Cut Bias Strips.
2. First step is to make single bias tape that is twice the desired width of the double fold bias tape you are making. There are two methods to do this - with two pins or with a bias tape maker. Learn both methods in this article. I used the two pin method for this example.
   
   Start by putting two pins in your ironing board cover so that the gap under the pin is the measurement that you want the single fold bias tape. For a 1/2" finished double fold bias tape, you want that measurement to be 1".
3. Begin by folding the two edges of the right sides of bias cut strip to the middle, trying to keep both sides even. There should be a little gap in the middle, since we cut the strip 1/8" smaller. Carefully thread the folded bias strip under both pins.
4. Press as you go, pulling the bias fabric through the pins. Be careful to pull the bias straight through, keeping the folds even. I like to press just an inch or two at a time. It might take longer, but your single fold bias tape will be more precise. If you go too fast, sometimes the folds aren't even.
5. Here is the finished single fold bias tape.
6. Next, we begin folding the single fold bias tape in half and press again.
7. As you press, if you have a clapper, use it to get a nice firm pressed edge.
8. Here is the finished double fold bias tape, ready to use!

Recommended Products

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• 
  Omnigrid Non-Slip quilter's Ruler, 6" x 24", Neon Green
• 
  OLFA 24" x 36" Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat

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How to Sew Double Fold Bias Tape

There are two methods for applying bias binding to your project. The first method you sew twice; the second method you only sew once.

When applying by sewing twice, you have more control of the application.

Start by opening the tape up and aligning one of the raw edges of the bias tape with the WRONG side of the edge of your project. With your sewing machine, sew just barely inside the fold line, so that it will be easy to top stitch on the front side and cover your initial stitching line.

Gently fold the tape to the right side, nudging it to cover your previous stitching line.

I like to use the topstitch foot on my machine and move the needle to the left a few positions. On a Bernina, that is foot #10. Here I’m starting to topstitch, gently wrapping the tape to the backside of the project.

Here is the topstitching in progress.

And, the finished double fold tape sewn with two stitching lines.

The second method for applying double fold bias tape gives you a chance to use those fancy stitches that came with your machine! If you are like me, I rarely use them. This is your chance!

Carefully open the tape and slip the edge of your project into the center of the bias tape.

Stitch along the edge with a stitch that will catch both outside and inside the tape. I used a double cross stitch for this sample project.

Here is the finished sample with the example of two sewing seams on the left and the single sewing on the right.