Bias Binding: Good afternoon ladies. I am currently working on a new project involving what for me is the first time application of bias binding. Despite it being 25mm width (to be halved on the material edge) I am having real problems making a neat job of things. One of the biggest problems is my large fingers keep getting in the way. I've tried pre-fixing the binding with pins but this doesn't seem to help a great deal. Since I can't change my fingers, I'm wondering if any of you ladies out there have any ideas as to where I am going wrong and/or what I might do to resolve matters. Thank you.
11929
Well, I've now completed twelve of these medical drug syringe driver bags that I am making (yes, the idiot volunteered) for my local Hospice..................including the bias binding that I was having so much trouble with! I have to say that without all your guidance and encouragement (particularly the guidance) I probably would have thrown in the towel (not a very Cutie attitude, I know). Essentially, I have used a number of the points of recommended guidance which you have all made (except the use of Duck tape from Vicki!!) and things have worked out quite well..................well, in my mind anyway. I still have another twelve or so to go (including the machine embroidery designs that I am using) and so I will not bore you with pictures until the job is complete............to do so now would be a bit like tempting fate. But I will post pics and a brief resume of what these things a for and the methods I eventually used to overcome the problems I was having. Once again, thank you ladies for all your input. I could not have done it without you. Bunches of flowers to everyone.
3 comments
by airyfairy
07 Jun 2016
Looking forward to seeing the finished project. Very pleased that we were all able to help.
11929Thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's comments...especially your replies, Dennis...I'm with airyfairy...that's the method I use as well with binding the size you are using...for my quilts, however I have a binding system from Martelli..4 Parts to the Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z...
1 comment
by dennis999
01 Jun 2016
Many thanks for your comments and the links. Very helpful and I have noted these links and references to each of the suggested methods in my "Little Black Book" of sewing and embroidery guides. Yes, I know that this makes me out to be a bit of an anorak but doing it this way saves having to hunt the Cute site for all the answers. Thanks again.
318425Hi Dennis, nice to see you. I have a foot, I have only tried it once, however it did pretty well. It is a binding foot. and handles the finger thing for you. Take Care
1 comment
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Thank you for you kind thoughts and your advice. I'm off to have a look at my Brother catalogue and see what pocket-money my dear-beloved has allowed me this week! lol
173690If you can Google Susan Schaumber you will find her method of doing binding has some neat tricks. I"d add a link but don't have it handy here.
2 comments
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Found it if this is the right one. It's Sharon Schamber - Binding the Angel Part 1 and may be found at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PEOYqiGlc
8230Here's my simple solution... Lightly press open the bias tape, spray the inside fold with a temporary adhesive, put in place prior to stitching.
3 comments
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Yes. Another interesting method to try. I have had some fantastic ideas come forward. Just shows both the depth of knowledge/experience amongst you Cutes, not to mention the willingness to assist an old codger like me. On the argument about the use of adhesives, I did read somewhere that using a titanium coated needle overcomes the problem of the needle gumming up.
by AuntAnnie
01 Jun 2016
I use Dritz Temporary Spray Adhesive without incident. The label clearly states that it will not gum up the needle. I don't know if this product is available in your area.
7208Thank you for all your advice and guidance ladies. What and where would I be without you all.
1 comment
11929
5271Oh dear Dennis, my heart goes out to you. I use a lot of bias binding, either home made (with a special gadget) or bought. I find th best way is to open one side of the tape and put the right side of the bias tape to the wrong side of the material - edge to edge. I do not pin but just machine stitch on the fold line of the tape. Then, fold over the bias tape (material will then be right side facing up) and do a neat top stitch to hold binding in place. I find this method works best for me. Let us know how you do.
3 comments
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Wow, thank you for that guidance which now that you have explained it, makes a lot of sense. I had made the mistake of stitching (or trying to) straight through both sides but then found that the top stitch was on the wrong side.......duh!! It's obvious now that you have explained it. Thank you so much.
by jrob
31 May 2016
Exactly the way that I do it. Just remember to leave a beginning tail and ending tail (where you don't sew) so that when you get back to the beginning, you can tuck the ending bias ( just of couple of inches) inside of the beginning bias and then stitch it shut.
255049I round my corners first. Then sew the binding to the front first-then clip with binder clips Last of all, I hand sew the binding to the back. Probably more work but things look nicer. I do lousy work if I sew it by machine.
Also use your walking foot if you have one. Do what ever method works for you.
1 comment
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Some very useful advice...............thank you. I'm not sure about the hand sewing part (what with my fingers...lol) but I do like the idea of using the binder clips which I do have. I've recently bought myself a walking foot, so now's the time to try all these ideas...............on some scrap material to start with, I think. Thank you.
2085I have decided that either one is blessed with the bias binding gene or not. I have been sewing since I was in middle school and for the life of me, I can't do a neat job of applying it either. I am so sorry that I can't give any good words of advice. But, I thank you for the question because, I plan on reading everyone's answers - maybe we'll get a great hint on using it!!!
1 comment
by dennis999
31 May 2016
You are most welcome to any/all of the wonderful ideas that I know the good ladies of Cute will come up with. Let's be honest...............life is much about learning from other people's experiences...........and their mistakes. So I do hope that my question goes some way to helping you also.
96265both of these work very well & the binder clips come in the smaller sizes
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2 comments
by sbott54
31 May 2016
I just love the clover clips. They are strong enough to hold but don't task your fingers to remove. You could try basting tape if you like. It's a double-sided sticky tape that won't gum up your needle. I use this product only where I can remove it after sewing. Sorry I'm not helping. I hope you find a way that works for you.
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Thank you. I've recently purchased some of those clips in various sizes and found them to be very useful on a variety of jobs. At least they don't bite so hard when you leave fingers in the way. I'm a little wary about the sticky tape since every time I read up about its use there is always the warning about gumming up the needle and other works. Thank you again.
299559the alternative to using a glue base for binding is making sure you iron the shape you're trying to achieve. In most cases I use a 2.5 or 2.25 inch binding the smaller for bibs & the 2.5 for a quilt or wall hangings. A one inch would indeed be a challenge but the same rules apply .Once folded in ALMOST half (so you are sure to get both sides attached) I iron the fold & use wonder clips or binding clips from stationary supply store they work very well. I hope that this is some help to you Dennis & look forward to seeing what you created using the bias binding. ~hugs Loralye~
1 comment
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Thank you for your guidance. The use of the clips is coming out strongly from several ladies and as I have said, my recent purchase of these has proven useful on other projects. I certainly will put up a piece about this project once I have completed it which will also display some stunning embroidery seaside scenes digitised for me by our very own Vicki. I might avoid any close-up views of the bias binding though........lol.
299559I have big fingers too Dennis, but I use a much wider bias binding. I cut my fabric 2 and a half inches wide fold in a 1/4 inch edge on both sides and iron in place. I then fold the two sides together giving me a bigger bias binding. I cut all my fabric on the bias and use my bias binding machine which irons and puts it in place straight away. A really easy way is to put two pins on the ironing board put your bias binding in it and have your iron ready and pull the binding through as you press and it stays the width/size of whatever your pins are. Love Chris
1 comment
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Good grief Chris, I'm having enough of a problem getting the ready-made stuff to go on properly without having to make it as well! I confess that I did look at all that gadgetry you have and read up on cutting fabric on the bias but came to the conclusion that buying ready made was the simpler (cowardly) option.....lol. I shall however keep your tuition in mind for when I make that next step into production and saved enough pocket money to buy the gadgetry. Thank you for your help.
234489I have seen some Videos and articles about using a glue stick or school type glue. Have not tried that myself.
1 comment
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Yes, I must try to find myself a book called "The Dummies Guide to Bias Binding." Thank you.
109774I feel your pain, Dennis.......I know someone will be along to help you out!!
Wouldn't it just be easier to buy some designer duct tape.....you know I am just kidding.........however we have all seen the purses done with duct tape, so.................
3 comments
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Funnily enough, I was out visiting my local haberdashery outlet today and noticed that Duck Tape is currently being sold in a Union Jack design (cashing in on our Queen's 90th. birthday celebrations, no doubt).
261163This is an amazing product. I am not a quilter but I use this on bias trims and many other things when pinning just doesn't work well.It doesn't gum up your needle and it washes out. For me it is now a MUST have. Check it out.Sorry didn't attach the li
3 comments
2848Dennis, I'm not the one to ask as I have been having a problem with some bias binding today. Would a wider binding be easier for you? Are you using the commercial kind or home made? I usually cut a wide piece of bias fabric and press that in half rather than have a single thickness.
The experts will be along soon.
1 comment
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Thanks Sue. I am using a commercial product (see my reply to Chris on that subject....lol). I am using a pre-folded (edges....not centre fold) binding which is 25mm wide, giving me 12.5mm each side. I found plenty of suppliers for 20mm but nothing wider than the product I purchased. There have been some very useful answers for which I am most grateful.
140717Dennis that seems to me a very narrow binding. If my calculations are correct that is about 1 inch wide. Is this purchased bias binding?
1 comment
by dennis999
31 May 2016
Yes, 25mm is equivalent to 1 inch imperial. It was the widest commercial binding I could find. Most was 20mm or about 3/4 inch. In fairness, the product I have is pre-folded and so gives me about 1/2 inch each side.
109774