I am having a hard time trying to figure out what size bias tape maker to buy. I want to start out with a 2-1/2 inch strip...but I am confused. What size do I buy?

I have 5 sizes; as far as I can tell by studying them and the paperwork, I don't have one that takes a 2-1/2" wide strip. The biggest (50) takes a 4" wide strip and feeds out 2" folded. The next size down (25) takes a 2" wide strip and feeds out 1" folded. I've had them for several years, so possibly there is now a size that takes a 2-1/2" strip, to feed out at 1-3/4". The information above on the sizes 50 and 25 might help you in your search.

Thanks, I have been searching all night and I haven't found something between 25mm and 50mm...I bought a foot for my Bernina today and to use it you have to feed your premade tape through it. She suggested I get a Clover to make the tape so I wouldn't have to do the double fold towards the center (to me having to do that is worse than folding my fabric in half and then hand sewing it to the back). I sure hope my LQS will take it back...

http://creativelittledaisy.typepad.c...ersion-of.html
Luv2Kreate here is a site that will help you..... if you want to make a specific size bias take and don't have that size make.. this will tell you how to make any size you want. I make my tape this way all the time.

Scrap quilter

I hope so, too. Maybe they (at the quilt shop) can shed some light on a bias tape maker that takes a 2-1/2" strip, but if you've been searching all night in vain, my bet is that one does not exist.

Regarding the site that shows you how to make bias tape using pins placed at the exact width you need: I always use both the bias tape maker AND 2 pins. The bias tape maker alone does not send the folds through straight enough to satisfy fussy me, so after the fabric goes through the tape maker, it immediately goes under a pair of pins (which need to be long ones, fairly well secured) and then under my hot iron. I easily do single fold using just pins, but double fold is a big hassle for me without the tape maker. There was and maybe still is another brand on the market that doesn't work as well as clover. If you have not tried it using just pins, though, it's worth a try!

Thanks for the tips and the link! I am going to do a little practice today with some scrap fabric and see if I can't make my own using pins. I really don't mind hand sewing the binding, but I started doing the QUILTS 4 KIDS and the binding has to be machine finished. I can not make it look good on my own. Thought maybe there was a tool that would make it simpler. Hopefully I will be able to get the bias tape made using the pins and then crossing my fingers I can figure out this foot I bought to sew it on :)

I just realized that what you buy in the store called "single fold bias tape" is what I call "double fold" when I make my own, but in fact, pre-packaged double fold has 4 creases in it (or actually 5, if you include the center crease). I haven't bought or used any pre-packaged in so long that I forgot about that. What I was calling single fold is just the strip of fabric pressed in half; I was calling double fold (for which I use the tape maker) when both edges are pressed to the middle. I think that's what you were thinking, also, but I wanted to clarify.

I have been seeing these bias tape makers in the LQS's and JoAnns and have been wondering if they are any good. I make my own double fold binding but if this works good that would be the way to go. So are they really any good??

I'm glad to see this topic. I do have one but haven't really looked at it. Do I need to buy all the extra stuff? I think I'll play with it today.