BOO! Designs: HOW TO MAKE CONTINUOUS BIAS FOR PIPING

* From Design Your Own Zip It dress pattern *

One fat quarter of fabric, makes approximately 8½ yds (7.5m) of bias binding so make some in your favourite colours and wrap the left over around a piece of cardboard to put away for other projects!

1. Take a rectangle of fabric fold down a corner with a 45-degree fold and press. Cut along the fold line.

2. With right sides together, position the cut triangle on top of the straight edge of the original fabric and sew a ¼” (0.7cm) seam. Press the seam open.

3. Draw lines 1¼” (3cm) apart following the 45-degree angle and number each of the panels both top and bottom edge.

4. Position fabric right side up with number 1 on the left and mark a line 1½” (3.7cm) from the top left edge. With right sides together line the bottom left edge up with the marked position and stitch with a ¼” (0.7cm) seam.

5. Press the seam open, then cut between the 1^st and 2^nd row and continue cutting around the tube until you have one long continuous strip.

6. Fold bias in half along the long edge and press.

7. Cut a length of piping cord slightly longer than the bias strip and insert it into the fold and pin to secure.

TIP: Dab small amounts of Sewline glue periodically along the fold to help hold the piping cord in place.

8. Use a piping foot or zipper foot to stitch as close to the piping cord as possible in thread that matches the binding.

I love my piping foot, it just allows you to get a little closer to the piping cord for a fabulous tighter finish as it has little ridges that sit on top of the piping cord and hold it in place while you are sewing.