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-   -   Quild binding/bias tape--should I "do" anything to it? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/quild-binding-bias-tape-should-i-%22do%22-anything-t66832.html)

mollymct 09-26-2010 07:12 AM

I purchased packages of double fold bias tape to finish my baby quilt. I am just not ready to tackle making it myself yet, and the right color was available, so...

My quilt's fabrics were all pre-washed. Will the bias tape shrink or get wonky after washing if I don't pre-wash it? I'm guessing most don't wash it, because you would lose the folds?

If you have used this stuff, what do you do?

cbridges22 09-26-2010 07:28 AM

I have used bias tape and not washed it and never had a problem with it getting wonky after it was washed on the quilt.You should be fine,just sew it on.

mollymct 09-26-2010 07:32 AM

Thanks, Cindy. That is a relief!!

bearisgray 09-26-2010 08:18 AM

Depending on how OCD you might be -

I bought bias type at WalMart (I think the brand name was "Wrights") last winter - soaked it in hot water - and it did shrink about an inch per yard.

I just soaked it and then laid it on a towel to dry. The crease lines were still visible, but "faded."

Actually, I was surprised, because I think the label said it was a cotton/poly blend.

The reason I decided to do this experiment was because I had noticed that baby bibs bound in bias tape tended to cup and were hard/annoying to fold.

Scissor Queen 09-26-2010 08:28 AM


Originally Posted by mollymct
I purchased packages of double fold bias tape to finish my baby quilt. I am just not ready to tackle making it myself yet, and the right color was available, so...

My quilt's fabrics were all pre-washed. Will the bias tape shrink or get wonky after washing if I don't pre-wash it? I'm guessing most don't wash it, because you would lose the folds?

If you have used this stuff, what do you do?

I don't think you'll be happy with it in the long run. It's thin and you'll only have one layer of fabric over the edge of the quilt.

nursie76 09-26-2010 08:32 AM

I don't make bias binding for my quilts (course I haven't made any with curved edges either). I just cut strips of my binding material about 2-1/2 inches wide and iron in half then I sew the raw edge side to the front of the quilt, and then fold over to the back and hand stitch down. That way there is a double thickness over the edge where the quilt will get a lot of wear.

mollymct 09-26-2010 08:37 AM

Thanks your the replies, bearisgray and Scissor Queen. I think I may be making my own bias tape! Will do some research...I do not want anything to ruin this quilt!

mollymct 09-26-2010 08:39 AM


Originally Posted by nursie76
I don't make bias binding for my quilts (course I haven't made any with curved edges either). I just cut strips of my binding material about 2-1/2 inches wide and iron in half then I sew the raw edge side to the front of the quilt, and then fold over to the back and hand stitch down. That way there is a double thickness over the edge where the quilt will get a lot of wear.

Thank you, nursie!! This sounds like something I can manage.

Olivia's Grammy 09-26-2010 09:02 AM


Originally Posted by mollymct
I purchased packages of double fold bias tape to finish my baby quilt. I am just not ready to tackle making it myself yet, and the right color was available, so...

My quilt's fabrics were all pre-washed. Will the bias tape shrink or get wonky after washing if I don't pre-wash it? I'm guessing most don't wash it, because you would lose the folds?

If you have used this stuff, what do you do?

What would I do, throw it away. I hate prepackaged bias tape. It's not hard to make your own bias tape, that way you can get just the color and fabric you want. I've been making bias tape for years. I love the new Simplicity tape maker. Why are you using bias? Is the quilt curved?

bearisgray 09-26-2010 09:05 AM


Originally Posted by Olivia's Grammy

Originally Posted by mollymct
I purchased packages of double fold bias tape to finish my baby quilt. I am just not ready to tackle making it myself yet, and the right color was available, so...

My quilt's fabrics were all pre-washed. Will the bias tape shrink or get wonky after washing if I don't pre-wash it? I'm guessing most don't wash it, because you would lose the folds?

If you have used this stuff, what do you do?

What would I do, throw it away. I hate prepackaged bias tape. It's not hard to make your own bias tape, that way you can get just the color and fabric you want. I've been making bias tape for years. I love the new Simplicity tape maker. Why are you using bias? Is the quilt curved?

I used some because it was the perfect color.

I shrunk it, then folded in in half, and proceeded like nursie 76 said. It worked. I may have adapted the seam width to make it work, but it did.


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