{products for review and giveaway were provided by Clover}
You walk into your local sewing shop and start browsing. You are immediately overwhelmed by the amount of little tools they have. You see helpers for this kind of project and tools for that, and you think to yourself, "do I really need that?" Well, I am here to answer that question once and for all!
Bias tape makers have been around for a while now, but the real question is do we really need them? Do they make enough of a difference to spend extra money on them, especially when we could just put those few dollars towards that gorgeous fabric we've been swooning over? Or maybe you'd rather just buy your bias tape. Maybe the whole process of making your own is just too tedious and you end up with a pile of half useable bias and a whole bunch of burnt fingers!
I will admit, I love the look of homemade bias tape, but I do not always want to go through the process of making my own. Often times I will search through my stash to see what pieces of premade tape I can use so I don't have to make my own. I just do not enjoy the whole making your own bias tape experience. My fingers get burnt, my tape never looks great, and it is always lopsided or off kilter. It just isn't worth it. Until now!! Listen, these little tools have changed my entire outlook on the whole bias tape making process! Not only am I a homemade bias convert, but I bet by the end of this post you will be too!
So let's start at the beginning. Clover sent over 2 different size bias tape makers for me to try, which meant I needed 2 different size bias strips of fabric. I was working with the 3/4" and the 1" bias tape makers. You want your strips to be double the width of the maker, i.e. if you are using the 3/4" maker, cut your strip 1.5" wide. If you are using the 1" maker, cut your strip 2" wide. Get it? Easy peasy, right???
I decided to go with a classic grey and white stripe, because I love the look of striped bias tape and you can't buy that in the store! I got all my materials ready to go and began cutting! I used this tutorial to cut my bias strips because the way she does it is genius and she makes it so simple and easy! I know I know, the tutorial is for an envelope pillow, but take my word on this one. The video shows a great way to make your strips and you won’t be pulling out your hair or cursing while you do it, I promise!
So my strips are cut and I have both sizes ready to go along with my little gadgets. Using the bias tape makers are very simple. Take the maker and place your strip right side down. Insert the pointed end into the back of the maker. You will notice there is a little open “u” shape on the back. That is where your fabric goes. Keep pushing that fabric in until it comes out the other end. There is a little slot on the top of the bias tape maker where you can insert a pin, awl, etc. if you need to help move the fabric along.
So now your fabric is in the bias tape maker and you are ready to go. You will notice the fabric is already starting to fold! This is the beauty of these little tools! It really does the work for you! Now grab that iron and steam steam steam as you slowly pull the bias tape maker along your fabric! You will notice there is a little handle you can hold onto. Definitely use this! The maker itself is metal and can get hot from all that steam, so that handle comes in handy!
So now you have your bias tape done! You can fold it over again and steam the heck out of it and voila! Double fold bias tape in seriously a quarter of the time, no burnt fingers, and it looks like a professional did it!
I went ahead and did the same thing for both strips! Just remember, your strip needs to be double the size of your maker! I was in awe of how quick and easy using these little gadgets were that I just couldn’t stop! I decided that the grey and white stripe were so pretty, but I needed some color in my life! Bright yellow bias tape??? Yes please!!!
I will be honest with you all. I was very hesitant to use these. I kept thinking there was no way these were going to work and that they would be a waste of my time and money. But I was so so wrong! These bias tape makers are absolutely amazing! I’ve used a lot of sewing tools in the 2 short years I’ve been sewing, but these in the top 5 list of tools! Quite possibly the top 2!!!
These are easy to use and provide amazing results! I’m pretty sure I need every size now! And while I knew I would use these two sizes the most, I’m pretty sure I can find a use for every size Clover makes! So if you’ve been on the fence about these and just didn’t want to spend the money, I’m telling you to SPEND THE MONEY! They are 100% worth it! A quality product that produces great results and is fast and easy!
Now that your bias tape is all ready, all you need is a pretty pattern to use! The Haven Dress pattern is the perfect summer pattern to try your new bias tape out on! So gather up all that homemade bias you just made and get to sewing!
So here’s the best part! Clover graciously sent over not one, not two, but THREE sets of these bias tape makers! That means two lucky readers are going to win their own set of bias tape makers! Make sure you enter below for your chance to win! And check out Clover’s website and take a look at all the other cool sewing and crafting tools they have!
Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
