Bias Binding & Tapes

Bias binding tape is a narrow strip of fabric that has been cut on the “bias”—meaning at a 45-degree angle across the woven grainlines. This specialized cutting technique grants the material a unique, fluid elasticity and stretch that standard straight-cut fabric strips lack. Because of this inherent flexibility, bias binding is the industry standard for binding, finishing, and cleanly enclosing raw, curved raw edges like curved necklines, armholes, hems, and quilting borders without causing puckering or bunching.

The ideal binding type depends entirely on the base material of your garment. Satin and metallic lamé bindings offer a glossy, fluid texture that provides a beautiful luxury contrast finish on evening dresses and formal linings. Polycotton bias bindings are highly durable, crisp, and exceptionally easy to press, making them the ultimate multi-use choice for everyday dressmaking and structural quilting. For elastic fabrics and active knitwear, a jersey t-shirt bias binding is essential, as it stretches and recovers natively alongside your knit garments without restricting movement.

These two tapes serve completely different structural demands. Heavy-duty polypropylene and rainbow webbing tapes are thick, rugged strappings engineered to carry weight; they are the standard choice for making sturdy backpack straps, duffel bag handles, custom pet leads, and utility belts. Conversely, lightweight cotton stay tapes and budget cotton tapes are incredibly thin, unobtrusive stabilizers hidden inside garments. They are stitched flat into shoulder seams and waistbands to prevent delicate jersey or linen from stretching permanently out of shape during wear.

Mechanical bias tape makers are incredibly handy tools that allow you to turn any matching fabric remnants into your own customized binding strips. To use one, you simply cut your fabric into long strips at a precise 45-degree angle, matching the width required by your specific bias tool (such as our 12mm or 25mm variants). You then feed the raw fabric strip through the wide end of the metal guide. As you pull the tool smoothly along with its built-in handle, it automatically folds the raw outer edges perfectly inward, allowing you to press the crisp, newly formed tape down with an iron immediately behind it.