Flying_V_Goddess

I've been looking into buying one of those bias tape makers. Making bias tape takes me forever to make because I can't just take the strip and iron it...I have to pin the edges together before ironing or sewing because if I don't I end up shifting the edges somehow (I envy quilters who can just whip something through their sewing machine and not pin the pieces together).

Anyways, I want to get a bias tape maker to maybe make the process a little easier and faster, but worry that I'll be buying a notion that is a waste of money. Would you recommend a bias tape maker to a quilter (who probably puts in as much time into the binding as the blocks in the quilt)? If so, what one would you recommend?

SuziC

I personally don't use one. I would rather spend my money on fabric. If you go slowly with the iron you can get the edges to line up. But if you want to buy one, i am sure there will be lots of good advice coming!! :lol:

winia

There is a machine that does bias strips, but it's $100. I would
love to buy it, but the price is just too much for the amount of quilting I do.

I do have the small ones that you put the fabric in one end and it comes out the other the way bias binding looks, and you just follow it with the iron. I use those, they work very, very well, and they are not expensive. You can also buy them in different sizes. Whatever size you use for your binding, you can get one that will work for you.

Minda

I'm not sure if these are what you are asking about but, if they are, I have a friend who uses them and loves them. You can also get them in wider sizes.

http://www.clover-usa.com/product/26...as_Tape_Makers

Holice

I saw it demonstrated recently and it was impressive. However, probably not worth it unles you do a lot of bias tape

prayerquilts

http://sharonschambernetwork.com/Cla...d-Binding.aspx

This is a really long class, I've only watch the first half, but in the beginning she shows a method of making bias tape I'd never seen before...lots of starch and different folding.

lynndianne

I bought a package of two at the Thrift Store for 50 cents.

Lynn

pittsburgpam

I've never used one but don't know if you mean the electric ones or the little plastic holders/folders. My current quilt has yards and yards of vine so I got one of those little plastic ones that you can also put the fusible tape on at the same time. Haven't used it yet but I really hope it works well.

RkayD

I have a drawer full and love them when I remember to use them. I've seen online somewhere (probably YouTube) where someone just used straight pins pinned to the ironing board to do the same thing as the bias makers.

BellaBoo

I have the Simplicity Bias machine. I use it for all my bindings. I use the 2 1/2" straight fold quilt binding. The machine folds and irons it. For bias the strip has to be smaller. It works perfectly. It did take me a several practice runs to learn to use it. I have a bin full of ready made binding, once I start making it, it's hard to stop.