Thursday, October 27, 2011

Printable Bias Tape Maker!

You all know how much I love using cardstock folding templates, right? For a few years now I've been playing with the idea of a cardstock bias tape maker. Whenever I had a project involving bias tape, I would experiment, fail miserably, and scrap the idea. Well, right now I'm working on a Sis Boom pattern that requires picture perfect, 1/2" wide single fold bias tape. I have a metal tape maker that size, but I don't have the patience (or the dexterity) to keep the fabric centered for such small, even folds. So I was forced to revisit my paper folder idea, and I'm pleased to say I came up with something that actually works!

Photobucket


The free pdf contains instructions for printing and assembling the tape maker. There is some careful cutting involved, but it goes together pretty quickly and can be used over and over again. And if you happen to smash/tear/burn it, simply print another.

Photobucket

The contraption is optimized for folding 1.125" bias strips in 0.5" wide single fold tape. You can tweak the starting strip width a bit to get slightly wider or narrower tape.

Photobucket

Here is how it works: The strip is fed into a "slide" that does the folding. The top notch and tabs keep the strip centered, and the "splitter" keeps the outer edges from curling or overlapping. The folded tape is pressed as soon as it comes out of the slide, and it goes under two more tabs to set the folds as they cool.
Why do I feel like I'm narrating an episode of How it's Made?

Photobucket

The result is flat, evenly folded bias tape. I've found myself making way more than I actually need just because the process is so fun and gratifying!

Download the free printable bias tape maker here.
See this post for more information about cutting bias strips.

112 comments:

  1. OMG! I love making my own bias tape but never get it the creasing perfectly even and that drives me crazy! You ARE a genius!

    ReplyDelete
  2. so cool what a useful tool you have created. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. VERY cool! You're so brilliant! The best part is that it's so cheap, and takes up so little space! I may have to give it a try! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Brilliant! As soon as I read your post, I thought about reposting it! Hope it helps other people as it is going to help me! Thanks! (btw: I hope reposting is ok! You can find the blogpost here: http://lilimakes.blogspot.com/2011/10/bias-maker-and-other-ingenious.html)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your analytical mind!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! Just, wow!! Saying thanks hardly covers it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my gosh!!! That is the awesomest idea ever! I'm totally linking to your post. Thank you!!! http://howtodresslikeapioneer.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my goodness gracious!! You are a GENIUS!!! Thank you so much for sharing this!! WAAAAY better than the safety-pin-on-the-ironing-board trick I usually use. I am so taking the bias tape maker off my Christmas list and using this instead!! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you!!! This is so 'effin brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks so much for doing this! I'm getting ready to do a project in which I need several yards of bias seam tape. My local fabric store has a bias tape maker (on sale still almost $100) that I'd considered getting, but decided it wasn't worth it! I'll be using this instead!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks so much for this! I can't wait to give it a try! I imagine it could be adjusted for other sizes, too, which would be great.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Brilliant! I have a couple of bias tape makers in larger sizes and it is difficult to keep the tape even. I shall try this out very soon. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful!!! I am going to try this very soon.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for sharing this brilliant idea! lots of luvs from Malaysia!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is fantastic. I am a bias tape junky, and am so excited to try this!

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love this! I have little patience for the metal tape makers and am excited to try this out! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fantastique !! Merci ! Merci pour le partage.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Everyone has said it...you're a genius! Thanks :)

    Found you at Pinterest !

    ReplyDelete
  19. That is fantastic! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing it! (found via Pinterest)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my goodness, this is just amazing! You are a TRUE inventor! I sing your praises!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Awesome! I've been wanting to buy the metal ones but keep forgetting....I only think about it when I need it...kwim! Anyhow, great great idea! Thanks so much for sharing! I use bias tape on just about everything I make, so this will surely come in handy! Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  22. PS Just wanted you to know I shared this link on my FB page....hope that's okay!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU! I will use both of your bias maker templates.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Genius! Thanks so much for creating and sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am so impressed! Thank you, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm giving this try. I hate making bias tape; it's so darn tedious; maybe this will make it less time consuming. Thanks very much for sharing the template and directions!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a superb idea! I am looking forward to my next project that needs bias tape to see how it works! Thank so much for sharing and greetings from Germany

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is super helpful, thanks for sharing!

    jamie @ sewrockin.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is great! Thank you so much your printables are a great help!!

    I will link this to my site:) www.lukacreations.blogspot.com

    Thanks again

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you so much! I'm about to give it a go now :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. OMG This is incredible!!!
    Thank you sew much!!!!
    You're a genius, but I already knew that!
    designdreamer

    ReplyDelete
  32. wow, how cool is this? Great idea, I have to try that (although I do have various bias tape makers already :D )

    ReplyDelete
  33. You're a wonderful mind, dear! I will link your brilliant idea to my blog www.handquiltingstitches.blogspot.com!!!
    Thank you from Italy

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wonderful!!!!!!!!
    You don't know how much I needed it!
    Thanks a lot!
    Kisses from Venezuela.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Все гениальное - просто! Спасибо большое!!!! Очень нужное приспособление! Возьму себе на вооружение!

    ReplyDelete
  36. One of the most practical sewing ideas I have found ever. Absolutely fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  37. TQ.. very7x love it!. I'll this to my blog ;)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Do you by any chance have this set up for 1" bias tape? This is a brilliant idea!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I just found you via pinterest. This is perfect since we live soooooo far from the city and cant just jump over to pick upo bias tape when the sewing bug bites!!! THANK YOU!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. This is such a time saver! I used for the first time today and I love it. Thanks for the awesome freebee.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks for the tutorial
    kisses for you from Argentina ♥

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thank you very much for sharing with us! A big hug!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks for the free pdf. I'll give it a try ;)

    ReplyDelete
  44. This is so amazing!! THANK YOU, I can't wait to try it out!! Bias tape used to be my sewing nemesis because I always had a hard time finding the right width in the right color for the right project, yada, yada, yada. And I'm too cheap to shell out for one of those bias tape makers at the craft store.

    ReplyDelete
  45. thank you so much for this Carla, you are genius...
    kisses for you from Indonesia :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Amazingly clever! Thank you for sharing! I'm posting the link straight to the Sewists Group on Facebook and soon to my blog! Must spread your/this method to everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  47. thanks for sharing.. u're genius and generous

    ReplyDelete
  48. I found your blog through pinterest. Great blog! Only one problem..I am having a very hard time reading it. The text is in a color that is getting lost in the wall paper. The only way you can see it is if you highlight the page to make it a different color. Just thought you should know.

    Thank you for the tutorials!!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. This is totally, fabulously, wonderfully, marvelously useful and cool. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  50. I just used this - but I blew it up in size for a larger bias tape size.

    IT WORKED LIKE MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    After using one of the metal bias tape makers years ago, I had sworn I would NEVER make bias tape again. No more! I just made 23 yards of bias tape in about 15-20 minutes. Your invention is a God-send!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks very much !!
    Maca

    ReplyDelete
  52. Awesome!! Thank you soooo much for sharing this!

    ReplyDelete
  53. This is so cool! I am making super straight bias tape for the first time ever with this wonderful gadget you developed. Thank you!!!! You have to patent this and make plastic ones to sell - you'll be a millionaire!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Seriously Genius!!!! Thank you so much for figuring this out. You are a woman after my own heart jumping in and doing it yourself and you are an angel for sharing! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! I just made the 0.5" bias tape and it worked wonderfully, so excited (even worked better then the store bought one I have). How wonderful of you to figure this out, create it and share it with all your readers!!

    ReplyDelete
  56. thanks for sharing!! very nice

    ReplyDelete
  57. I have no idea what bias tape is used for but wanted to say how clever your contraption is! You should patent it before someone steals your idea. I read most of the comments saying thank you so clearly the world needs this! Well done you x

    ReplyDelete
  58. I just found this on Pinterest... INGENIOUS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Fabulous idea..i love it!!thanks for share. HOW can i make my own Plastic business cards

    ReplyDelete
  60. Vielen Dank fuer diesen hilfreichen Tipp. Ich werde es ausprobieren.
    Liebe Gruesse
    Mohnalisa

    ReplyDelete
  61. your a resourceful genius.
    thanks for sharing this, I'll be sure to pass it along on FB.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Oh my, thank you for this simple tool!!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. love love love this idea ....thankyou for sharing...you could have been a millionare....pb
    found you on pinterest

    ReplyDelete
  64. Patent that. You are brilliant. There is money to be made. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Patent that as someone else stated, before someone else does!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  66. OMG! I am super excited! Do you mind if I say, I love you! I made my first bias tape earlier today, and it was so difficult, I almost decided it was my last. And then I came across your blog... You are simply brilliant. I can wait to try again. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Now this would be fun to make on a 3D printer!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Thank you so much for this invention! I also just bought a pattern that calls for 1/2 bias tape, a lot of it!, and I haven't made it yet because of that. I will now though thank you. Oh by the way I also like the glue stick with the "puple" tint. My daughter an I laughed at it and I couldn't resist the tease. I hope I din't offend you. Thank you again and it was so sweet of you to offer this to us free. Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  69. Bless you, Bless you, Bless you! & Thank you so much! You just made my sewing life sew much easier! I can't afford the expensive machines and who has space for another contraption. But a piece of paper! ?! Of course! I think I love you ;-D!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I just love it and going to make it as soon as possible. Thank you soooooo much!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Thank you SOOO much!!

    Yesterday, after walking for hours, I learned they simply don't sell any kind of bias maker in my country (people didn't even know what I was talking about, even though I showed them a sketch and all).

    And today, today I learned about the power of the internet and that there are amazing people like you, who are willing to share with the world...

    Again, thank you SO SO much ^^

    ReplyDelete
  72. This is brilliant! I'm going to share this with my readers.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  73. I love this solution! This is something I always needed. You're a genius!

    ReplyDelete
  74. You are BRILLIANT my dear! I live in a foreign country and have no idea where to begin to look for a bias tape maker, you have the solution~ Thank YOU! Teri in Costa Rica

    ReplyDelete
  75. This is amazing! Like Teri above we do not have bias tape makers around here. I made one and posted it in my blog and linked you in it! Thank you!! :)

    http://abambalife.blogspot.com/2013/08/on-bias-tape.html

    ReplyDelete
  76. This is amazing! Like Teri above we do not have bias tape makers around here. I made one and posted it in my blog and linked you in it! Thank you!! :)

    http://abambalife.blogspot.com/2013/08/on-bias-tape.html

    ReplyDelete
  77. You're so awesome genius!!!
    lots of love from Indonesia.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Thank you, this works out so well I could'nt believe it !!
    Many thanks from toulouse, France

    ReplyDelete
  79. OMG!!! Mind blown! Yep, Patent and productify, I'd rather buy then try and cut it out.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Very cool. I have a Silhouette Cameo cutting machine and am thinking I can convert this so it cuts in the machine. It would be a huge time saver.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Hello
    I talked about your idea on Petit Citron (http://www.petitcitron.com/blog/2011/11/fabriquer-du-biais-pre-plie-sans-appareil/) and lots of people asked for the translation.
    Would you mind if I translate it in French on Petit Citron?
    Thanks for your answer!
    Perrine

    ReplyDelete
  82. This is fantastic!!! why have I never found it earlier? Leanne @www.suggys.co.uk/Leanne

    ReplyDelete
  83. Aren't these bias tape makers? http://www.clover-usa.com/p/bias-tape-makers

    I'm new to sewing, so I'm not sure if these do the same thing. But it's only $7.00.

    I will learn this bias tape thing.....want to make bag handles. :)

    ReplyDelete
  84. If I knew where you lived I would come to your house, bow at your feet and give loads of gratitude over this post! I was able to whip it up in no time at all and got to work on my bias tape! Love how you figured it out and shared it with the world. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  85. What a fantastic idea!
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  86. How kind of you to share this and for free. Bless your heart.

    Lyric

    ReplyDelete
  87. Thanks so much! I will stay here to watch your project.
    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  88. BLESS YOU! you are amazing! thank you for sharing, when i say thank you, i really mean thank-you! sincerely; Love to get free info with a download!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for taking the time to create this marvelous tool and your generosity in providing it for free! I just made 6' of bias tape for my daughter's new outfit, and it didn't cost a dime!!

    Thank you,

    Maggie

    ReplyDelete
  90. Desde mi hermoso país Costa Rica te agradezco esta maravillosa idea. La voy a compartir con mis amigas y les voy a mostrar las cosas geniales que haces.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Brilliant and so creative. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Brilliant idea! I just found this post on Pinterest and can't wait to give it a try.

    ReplyDelete