1. Find the bias by folding the fabric diagonally, lining up the selvage with the crosswise grain. This will form a triangle. The fold is the bias.

2. To cut: Lay the folded fabric on your cuttingmat. Place the grid-marked ruler over the fabricso the edge of the ruler is parallel to the fold. Use your rotary cutter to trim off the fold.

Technique TutorialHow to Cut and Sew Bias Strips

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TIPFor smaller pieces of fabric, use the lines on your cutting mat as a guide. No folding necessary. Line upfabric edges to the crosswise and lengthwise grid marks on the mat. Place your ruler along the 45 degree diagonal line and cut the fabric.

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Bias isthe foldof the fabric

Leng

thwise

Grain

Crosswise

Grain

Fold 1.

2.

To cut, you will need:Your fabricCutting matRotary cutterGrid-marked ruler

To sew, you will need:Bias strips cut to desired widthSewing machineThread to match fabric

What is a bias strip and why do you need to know? First things first what is bias anyway?Bias is the diagonal direction of fabric created when the lengthwise grain is folded to line up with the crosswise grain. Whew. (Want to know more? See our tutorial What is a Grainline? It has the 411 on how and why)

Why cut strips? Strips become other stuff! They can be joined to form one long strip, which in turn can be folded to make binding or filled with cord to make piping or spaghetti straps.Its very cool! There are tools to help with making binding, spaghetti straps and But first you have to cut it. Its easy! Heres how.

TIPTo most accurately trim the fold, use your ruler to measure and mark an equal distance along the fold. (about 1/8) Cut on this line.

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3. Turn your work so the ruler is only over the newlycut edge of the fabric. Decide what width you need for the bias strips 1, for example. Line up the desired ruler line (1 line) with the cut bias edge. Use your rotary cutter to cut the first strip at the required width.

4. Slide the ruler over so the same ruler line (1)lines up with this new cut edge. Use the rotarycutter to cut this second parallel strip. Repeat,cutting parallel strips of the same width until you get as many strips as you need.

TIPRulers can slip. To prevent accidents, pressdown evenly with one hand while you use therotary cutter to cut with the other hand. You can also use Invisigrip on the underside ofyour ruler. Invisible, and grips just like it sounds!

Technique TutorialHow to Cut and Sew Bias Strips (continued)

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Prym Consumer USA

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3.

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First cut.

Second cut.

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Repeat.

6. Stitch 1/4 from the short diagonal edges.

5. To create a long bias strip, pieces must bejoined together along the short diagonally cut ends. To join strips along the diagonal edges, pin themright sides together. Offset the short ends by 1/4. When pressed flat, the finished strip willthen have a nice straight edge!

Technique TutorialHow to Cut and Sew Bias Strips (continued)

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Prym Consumer USA

TIPHow many strips do you need? Add up all theedges to be bound, or the total length of the biasproject. How many strips will your fabric piece make?See our Bias Yardage Chart for a guide.

6.

Appearance of strips as they areplaced before stitching. They areright side up.

Offset 1/4 for theseam allowance

Pin piecesright sides together.

5.

7. Press seams to the side.

Note: While this is the most common practice, if you are using heavy fabric you may wish to press the seam open. This will create less bulk. (This is important if you are making welting.)

Technique TutorialHow to Cut and Sew Bias Strips (continued)

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Prym Consumer USA

7.

Seam is pressed to the side.

This seam is pressed open.

Its good to have options!

TIPIf you plan to make single or double foldbias binding, use a Bias Tape Maker. See ourtutorial How to use a Bias Tape Maker for greattips!

So what are you going to make first?

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