Welcome back! Today we will be continuing our homemade bias tape adventure with a tutorial on how to finish edges with a bias facing. If you want to learn how to make your own bias tape, check out our last post, Making Bias Tape.
To demonstrate, we’ll be showing how to use 1/2″ double fold bias tape, single fold bias tape, and “thirds” bias tape to finish the edges of a York Pinafore. All three of these tape options will give us the same, 1/2″ bias facing finish. Which one you choose depends on your personal preference and your fabric choice.
The York Pinafore calls for double fold tape because it is easier for beginners to handle. The added stiffness of the tape also helps to highlight the side scoop shape. If you are working with a drapey fabric, you may want to use a single fold or “thirds” tape. All three methods are covered in this post.
Double Fold Tape
Double fold bias tape is folded in half
First, pin your bias tape so that the edge of the tape lines up with the edge of your garment opening, right sides facing. Make sure that you leave some extra length in the tails of your bias tape piece.
When pinning around a curve (like the deep scoop on view A of the York Pinafore), try to leave some ease in the tape. Resist the urge to pull tightly and pin. This ease will help your finished bias facing lie flat.
Determine where you need to sew to close your bias tape ‘loop’. With right sides facing, sew the bias tape ends together. Trim down to 1/4″ and press the seam open.
Next, “stitch in the ditch” of your tape; sew the tape to your garment, with the stitch line inside the crease that is closest to the edge of the garment. This will be at a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Next, grade the seam allowance down to 1/4″. We used our duck-bill scissors, but you can use regular sewing scissors, too. These applique scissors help to isolate the layers you wish to trim.
Press the bias tape toward the seam allowance.
Next, we’re going to understitch the bias tape to the seam allowance. On the right side of the bias tape, stitch 1/16″ – 1/8″ from the edge of the tape.
You may be tempted to skip the understitching – DONT! This step is the secret to a lovely bias facing finish and it will be worth it, I promise. The understitching helps to ensure the bias facing doesn’t peek out along the edge of your finished neckline or armhole.
Next, fold the bias tape where it naturally creases, then
Next, topstitch the bias tape to the garment at a 3/8″ seam allowance. Check as you go to ensure you are ‘catching’ the tape on the inside of your garment. Optionally, you can topstitch from the inside, but I prefer to do it from the outside to ensure my topstitching looks perfect on the outside of the garment.
Press one final time and your bias facing is finished!
Single Fold Tape
For single fold bias tape, the process is quite similar. The only difference is that instead of folding the bias tape over the seam allowance and then folding it again, once you’ve stitched the tape to the garment, you fold it once towards the wrong side of the garment and press. Every other step in the process is the same as for double fold tape.
“Thirds” Tape
We love this take on single fold bias tape for bias facing finishes. This tape is made by folding a strip of fabric into thirds.
For the “thirds” tape- the process is similar to the double and single fold tapes. Stitch in the ditch on the right side of the garment, grade the seam down to 1/4″, press the tape towards the seam allowance, understitch, fold the tape over the seam allowance and then fold again towards the wrong side of the garment, press and topstitch.
As you can see, all three bias facing methods end up looking the same in the end. Which type you use depends mostly on what your preference is, and the fabric and project you are working with.
Let us know in the comments section if you have any questions, or if you have any special tips or tricks for applying a bias facing!
Happy sewing!
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17 Comments on “Finishing Edges with Bias Facing”
This is so helpful! What type of bias tape (single, double, thirds) would you recommend for a plunging V neckline? Not sure if this matters too much but the fabric would be a rayon crepe.
Hi Jeanette! In my experience, the best way to finish a v neckline is to use a fabric facing, because it’s difficult to turn bias tape around a v-neck.
This is so helpful, it just take out the confusion of the “pattern ask for double fold bias but then I have single fold will it work”
Love your tips, I appreciate it so much
Glad to clear that up! As long as it’s the right width, you can usually use the tape of your preference.
Does the finished width of the bias binding change based on the method you use? It seems like the double fold method would be narrowest and the single fold would be widest if you are starting from the same width bias tape!
The finished width does change based on the method you use. For our three examples, we made each roll of tape so that they would be the same finished width, which means the strips for each method were different widths before we made them into tape.
Crystal clear instructions and pictures as usual Helen. Thankyou! Is there a bit of a scientist or mathematician in your background? Your use of language is always very spare and precise
Thanks Mary! I once got an 8% on a geometry quiz, so this comment is very validating!
I don’t know what to call the method I use. I make fairly wide tape (sa x 2 plus finished width of tape x 2 plus a couple of mm for turn of cloth) then press it in half, align raw edges, sew, grade/notch/understitch and turn under then top stitch. Eliminates need for fiddling… maybe I learned it off a Tessuti pattern…..
Interesting! Just goes to show that there are lots of different ways to do things while sewing, and often there isn’t only one right answer. If it works for you and the end result turns out satisfactory, that’s what really matters.
I mistakenly purchased single bias tape when I was shopping to make my first York, but when reading the pattern it didn’t go into details about how, just said it was possible! So I really appreciate the photo tutorial. Am I correct in saying that with the single bias tape the edge is a bit away from the seam edge, so that you sew at 3/8 inch away from the seam edge? But on the fold line at 1/4 inch? Hope that makes sense.
Totally makes sense! Yes, your bias edge will be in from the fabric edge. You got this!
Helen, I love your thirds bias tape method!!! Do you have a method for a V-neck blouse/tank? Thank you in advance.!!! Teri
this post is super helpful. I’m attempting to make a Zadie jumpsuit out of courduroy and was unsure how to use bias tape on only one side. I’m a quilter, so thought it had to be visibile on both sides like a biding. This blog with accompanying pics is super helpful. Now I can’t wait for when i get to doing the bias tape edges. Think i will use some Liberty bias tape that i got at the fabric store that i learned about from your bias tape podcast episode… Thanks!
Thanks Kristen! I’m so glad you found this helpful!
Thanks for your most helpful text and pictures. What kind of bias tape and what width should I use on a circular jute carpet (cross-stitched decoration) to be used under a Christmas tree? Diameter is roughly 2 yards, and I want to finish it using a red colored tape. Is such a tape commercially available or do I need to make it myseof?
Hi Susan,
In this case you want to use double-fold bias tape, maybe quite wide if the jute carpet is thick. I would buy this at the store, it is usually made from cotton and it comes in many colours.