Preparing the strips:

8. Use your quilting ruler and a pen to draw a line 5 cm (2″) from the bottom edge of the parallelogram (top).

Sizing note: As I mentioned before, the size bias tape I use the most is 12.5mm (½”) double fold bias tape (which corresponds to 25mm [1″] single fold bias tape), so that’s what I’m showing here. If you are making another size, simple draw your lines twice the size of the bias tape maker/single fold bias tape width. So, for example, if you are making 18 mm (3/4″) single fold bias tape (9 mm [3/8″] double fold bias tape), your lines should be 36 mm (1½”) from the edge.

9. Continue drawing lines 5 cm (2″) from each other until you get to the top edge. Then trim off the extra amount at the top (bottom picture above).

10. Rotate the parallelogram 90° to the right so that the seam is vertical. Draw a line 1 cm from the top and bottom edges, as shown in the pictures above.

11. Flip the fabric right side up (with the seam still vertical) and pull the bottom edge up to the top edge, matching up the lines 1 cm from the edges.

VERY IMPORTANT!! This will make or break this technique! You need to be very careful to not fold the parallelogram perfectly in half, but slightly to the side so that the lines create a spiral.

Notice in the top picture above that the first 5 cm line on the bottom left needs to match up with the top left corner, NOT the top 5 cm line. The second 5 cm line on the bottom left matches up with the first 5 cm line on the top left, and so on.

12. Pin the edges together. It will be wonky, don’t worry. But look below to make sure that it’s lined up properly.

You need to make sure that you’re pinning the points where the 1 cm and 5 cm lines meet on each edge. My trick for making sure that they’re lined up right is to stick a pin in the point from the front and make sure that it comes out at the same intersection on the back (black pin in the pictures above), and then I continue pushing the pin through the fabric the second time to keep it in place as you normally would (red pin in the pictures above).

13. Sew along the 1 cm line. You now have a tube of fabric! Iron open this second seam (shown above by the arrows). I suggest you use a sleeve ironing board to slip the tube around when ironing.

That might sound confusing, but I promise that once you figure out the skewed spiral, it’s actually quite simple. Now comes the most fun part!

Cutting the strips and making the tape:

14. With the fabric tube still inside out, cut along the line, around and around and around. Again, I suggest using a collapsible sleeve ironing board to keep the tube straight and avoid accidentally cutting through more than one layer.

And just look at that pile of a long, continuous bias strip! Snip off the funny little bit sticking off of the ends of the strip.

15. Now all you have to do is pull the strip through the bias tape maker, ironing it as it comes out the other end. Wrap your new single fold bias tape around a piece of cardboard or flattened toilet paper tube to store it. If you need double fold bias tape, just fold it in half so that the folded edges meet and iron, wrapping it around the cardboard.

(Read my lesson on how to use a bias tape maker here for more information on how to use this very useful tool!)

Now that you know how to make continuous bias tape, make a whole bunch in your favorite colors and prints! I have a really fun new project coming up which they’ll be perfect for!

This sewing lesson on how to make continuous bias tape is part of the Cucicucicoo Bias Tape Series! Make sure you check out all the other lessons, projects and patterns using bias tape in different ways!

And don’t forget to Pin this post so you’ll know how to find it when you need it! (And you know that you’ll need it!)

This lesson on how to make continuous bias tape (and the rest of the Bias Series) is part of the syllabus of Cucicucicoo’s Learn to Machine Sew beginner’s sewing course! Don’t forget to share pictures of your work on Facebook or the Cucicucicoo Creations Flickr Group!

*All starred links are affiliate links which help fund this blog. All opinions are my own.
Please read my affiliate link disclosure for more information.