SewHQ: Your Online Sewing Club

Access 1,000+ sewing patterns and become a part of our sewing community!
JOIN FROM JUST £4.99!

NO COMMITMENTS. CANCEL ANYTIME

Login Sign Up
Home   Tutorials   Crash course on bias binding

Crash course on bias binding

Tips on binding arm and neckholes

Crash course on bias binding

1.

What is bias binding?

Bias binding is a great way to finish arm and neck edges as it neatens the openings without adding bulky facings.Bindings can be attached so that they are visible on the right side of the garment as well as covering the raw edges, or can be turned to the inside completely. On sheer fabrics, narrow self fabric bindings eliminate unsightly facings showing through and are great for finishing edges on reversible garments.
Crash course on bias binding

2.

Made to measure

Binding strips need to be cut on the bias, 45° to the fabric selvedge, so that they curve easily around edges without ripples. For most armholes and neck edges, a finished width of 6mm to 13mm is needed. To achieve this, you need to cut strips four times the finished width.
Crash course on bias binding

3.

Making your own

First find the bias of the fabric by folding up the cut edge to lay on top of the side selvedge. Press in a crease along the diagonal fold. Unfold and draw a line along this crease. Repeat with parallel lines the width of the strips you want. Cut them out and pin right sides together so they form a right angle. Stitch together, then open out. Press, and snip off the points extending beyond the edges. Fold the long edges towards the centre and press.
Crash course on bias binding

4.

Attaching binding

With right sides together, unfold one long edge of the binding and pin to the garment. Tuck the short end of the start of the strip under, then stitch in the crease of the fold until you get back to the start. Overlap about 2cm of binding. Trim the seam allowance and turn it to the inside of the garment to encase the raw edges. Slip stitch in place or stitch from the right side, catching the underside of the binding in place as you go.

More Helpful Tips...

Shape Up Your Sleeves

Shape Up Your Sleeves

Give extra shape to frocks and tops with this handy sleeve enhancement. You can easily add interest to the head…

Improve Your Rolled Hems

Improve Your Rolled Hems

Guarantee flowing hemlines that hang like a dream. Keen dressmaker Sarah Greeff has colourful memories of her first attempts at…

Perfect Your Piping

Perfect Your Piping

Know Your Overlocking

Know Your Overlocking

Get to grips with the best overlocking finishes for everyday stitching. The overlocker has a different feel to a regular…

Master French Seams

Master French Seams

Get to grips with a clever seam favourite for a continental finish! French seams are common in clothes for children,…

Fix a Frayed Pocket

Fix a Frayed Pocket

A quick fashion fix with Amanda Bowden's classic miracle mend. The dread of torn stitching can be traumatic. Pockets are…