Bias strips are bands of fabric that are cut on the true bias (at an angle of 45 degrees). They have many uses, ranging from hemming, piping, and cording, as well as binding necklines and ruffles.
Place a sewer’s ruler on the wrong side of the fabric at a 45-degree angle.
Draw lines wide enough to make piping or cording and add a 1.5 cm seam allowance on both sides of the strips, lengthwise.
How to join bias strips:
With the right sides together, pin the strips with seamlines matching. Machine stitch and press the seam open.
How to make piping:
Cut a bias strip twice the exposed width, plus 3 cm for seam allowance. Fold the strip in half, lengthwise. With the wrong sides together, machine stitch 1/2 cm to 1 cm from the folded edge.
How to make cording:
First, select the thickness of the cord. Place the cord in the middle and on the wrong side of the bias strip. Fold the fabric over to encase the cord and pin. Attach a zipper foot to the machine and stitch close to the cord without catching the cord in the needle.
