Hemming With Bias Tape

Learn how to hem oddly shaped objects with bias tape.

Posted by Thera Joyce

About

I'm going to teach you a super simple way to hem things. You can use this method on just about any sewing project. It works really great for odd shaped objects though. This tutorial will be great for all my beginning sewers. You'll learn how to guide fabric in tight spaces, how to keep your fabric and bias tape lined up, and how to cut shapes out.

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You Will Need (9 things)

  • Sewing Machine
  • Scissors
  • Pin(s)
  • Thread
  • Iron On Interface
  • Heart Template
  • Iron
  • Fabric Scraps
  • Single Fold Bias Tape

Steps (8 steps, 30 minutes)

  1. 1

    Fold your fabric or fabric scrap in half. Fold your heart template in half as well. Pin the heart template on the fold of the fabric. Cut. When you open the piece you cut, you should have a full heart shape.

    TIP: If you don't have a heart template (or template for the object you'd like to make) simply draw one out or find an image you like online. Print out the image you like, place it underneath some heavy duty interfacing and trace around it. Cut it out and you have a cutting template. Interfacing works better than poster board or newspaper because it won't rip and you can pin it to fabric easier.

  2. 2

    Repeat step one with your Craft Fuse or Heavy weight iron-on interfacing.

  3. 3

    Place the Craft Fuse heart on the ironing board, shiny side up. Then place the fabric heart on top of the Craft Fuse heart (wrong side facing the Craft Fuse).

  4. 4

    Using your iron, fuse the Craft Fuse and the fabric heart together.

  5. 5

    Now, sandwich the edge of the fused heart between some single fold bias tape. I usually start at the bottom point of the heart.

  6. 6

    Stitch the bias tape to the edge of the heart. I don't pin the bias tape all around the heart before I sew it, I just sort of sandwich the edges as I go. I think it's easier that way.

  7. 7

    When you get to the middle of the heart, make sure to push the bias tape down into the grove of the center of the heart. Just take your time, this does take a bit of practice. I usually have to lift the presser foot and adjust the direction of the heart a couple of times to get the right shape.

  8. 8

    When you get to the bottom point of the heart, snip off the excess bias tape leaving a half inch tail (as pictured in inset). Flip the heart over so that the wrong side is facing up. Fold the tail back and stitch it down.