I personally don't use one. I would rather spend my money on fabric. If you go slowly with the iron you can get the edges to line up. But if you want to buy one, i am sure there will be lots of good advice coming!! :lol:

There is a machine that does bias strips, but it's $100. I would
love to buy it, but the price is just too much for the amount of quilting I do.

I do have the small ones that you put the fabric in one end and it comes out the other the way bias binding looks, and you just follow it with the iron. I use those, they work very, very well, and they are not expensive. You can also buy them in different sizes. Whatever size you use for your binding, you can get one that will work for you.

I'm not sure if these are what you are asking about but, if they are, I have a friend who uses them and loves them. You can also get them in wider sizes.

http://www.clover-usa.com/product/26...as_Tape_Makers

I saw it demonstrated recently and it was impressive. However, probably not worth it unles you do a lot of bias tape

http://sharonschambernetwork.com/Cla...d-Binding.aspx

This is a really long class, I've only watch the first half, but in the beginning she shows a method of making bias tape I'd never seen before...lots of starch and different folding.

I bought a package of two at the Thrift Store for 50 cents.

Lynn

I've never used one but don't know if you mean the electric ones or the little plastic holders/folders. My current quilt has yards and yards of vine so I got one of those little plastic ones that you can also put the fusible tape on at the same time. Haven't used it yet but I really hope it works well.

I have a drawer full and love them when I remember to use them. I've seen online somewhere (probably YouTube) where someone just used straight pins pinned to the ironing board to do the same thing as the bias makers.

I have the Simplicity Bias machine. I use it for all my bindings. I use the 2 1/2" straight fold quilt binding. The machine folds and irons it. For bias the strip has to be smaller. It works perfectly. It did take me a several practice runs to learn to use it. I have a bin full of ready made binding, once I start making it, it's hard to stop.

Thanks for asking this. I'm also curious to know whether this is a worthwhile investment or not. I cut long continuous bias for all my binding and have used it often enough that I'm now able to do binding easily but still find myself spending way too much time over a hot iron making bias tape for other things.
While people are answering, can you talk about single and double fold bias tape as well? I would like to know if these machines make both. Thanks.

I have these too, and they are great to make stems for applique!

I have 2 old metal ones that work nicely. I don't use much bias tape, but of course late at night I need some that I don't have, so it's easy to make it myself. Them being metal, I don't have to worry about touching the iron to plastic which gums up the iron. Don't ask me how I know that little fact....

Wow! This answers why her quilts are made to perfection! I learned a lot watching this video.

That's a lot of bias! You need the bias machine. You can also add any fusible tape to bias and have the machine fuse it to the bias for you.

Silly question time...what is the difference between bias tape and binding? Is bias tape used for binding?

I think we may be talking about two different kinds of bias strips here.

Most of us use a strip of fabric folded in half and sewn onto our quilts, turn over to the other side and sew it down by hand or machine.

The bias strip makers (like binding tape) fold the edges in to the middle of the strip. These work great for stained glass, vines and such.
However, these only put a single layer of fabric on the edges of a quilt. This will not wear as long as a double thickness of fabric will :wink: The double thickness is only on the sides of these. :D:D:D JMHO

For this type of quilt, the bias tape makers that you use with your iron are well worth the few $$ they cost. They come in a multitude of sizes too.

If you lightly starch your fabric before cutting, and then roll the pressed bias strips around a toilet paper center, they will hold their shape forever. And they store easier and neater too.

You can make a LOT of bias tape in little time with these little tools :D:D:D

I have bought mine from Joanns. I am picking up more of them here and there for future projects. They have worked well for me :D:D:D

By the way! I love that Zelda image! I can't wait to see the quilt :D:D:D

Hobby Lobby has them for !00.00 but you can use the 40% off coupon and get it for 60.00. I bought one but haven't plugged it in yet.

There was a post some time ago, search for Making Bias Tape; shows how to make bias tape on an ironing board with a safety pin. Looks interesting - haven't tried it yet, but will.

That glue method is the answer for me.I love it.Thanks BellaBoo.

I have the Simplicity Bias Maker and really like it, but I have been waiting for a long time for the company to produce the narrow 1/4" tip - some kind of manufacturing problem apparently. Several other sizes of tips are available. This method folds both sides of the fabric strip in towards the center of the strip so the resulting bias is actually single thickness except along the edges. The technique which uses bias bars gives a different look as the bias strip becomes 3 or 4 thicknesses of fabric after folding, stitching, re-pressing, etc. I actually like the look of the thicker bias but it really depends on how it's going to be used and your personal preference as to the finished look. I make lots of bias because I love to make Celtic designs (and teach it!) and Stained Glass type of designs.

for binding I prefer French fold binding - lasts longer with its double thickness. Bias tape type is only one thickness.

I've used the clover bias tape maker that you can also add the thin strips of fusible to at the same time. It's a great way to make lots and lots of bias for use in applique like your stained glass project. Not expensive and pretty easy to use.

I have 5 bias-making gadgets, ranging from 1/8" - 1 3/4" finished width. They are a real boon, especially for smaller projects. I'll have a session at the ironing board making yards of binding in different fabrics and winding them onto card so that they're there ready when I need them!
I haven't heard of electric bias-makers - they're not available in England.

I like your name. Mine is Lyn Diane. Our mothers knew we were destined for greatness. :)

Clover make a 1/4" one - it's no. 6.

I use the clover bias makers for applique for vines and stems - also for stain glass wall hangings - for binding I wouldn't use them - for binding it is easiest to just cut the size you need fold in half press and sew on your quilt.

I have the metal ones is several sizes. Had them for years and love 'em. Also have the one you can add iron on tape.

My ASG group was given a demo at JoAnn's during one of our meetings and we all agreed the machine was way too expensive for what it does and you'd have to make an awful lot of binding to pay for it. Rather buy fabric. Making binding is a good TV project.

I have several sizes of the kind you insert your strip in one end, pull thru and press it as it comes out the other end. They work well, however with this method you are making a one layer bias binding. This might not be heavy enough to bind a quilt, that will be used and washed many times. I've used this to bind terry cloth napkins and it works fine or to make a casing to insert elastic thru for a garment. I would not use this on a quilt tho, myself. Just my opinion.

I bought the bias maker & really love it but you can go one step further & buy a binding foot what a world of difference & ther binding foot doesn't cost but about $25.00 . Now I don't mind binding anymore. Look into it . Happy Quilting.shrabar

I have a machine and never use it - The part that determines the size of the binding that came with the machine is not the right size and it really is easy to just make the binding you need -

I have a machine and never use it - The part that determines the size of the binding that came with the machine is not the right size and it really is easy to just make the binding you need -