I'm planning a project that will need bias tape on it when I'm done.  I'd like to weave my own tape so it matches the item, but I'm not sure the best way to do this.  I know how to make bias tape from a square of purchased fabric, but what should I weave?  A square?  A long strip?  Other?

Thanks for your help!

Comments

Sat, 01/17/2015 - 22:03

pammersw

A long strip won't be bias unless you do it on a long rectangle loom with the method similar to a triangle loom (weave as you go warping). I saw something about this on the website of a weaver/store in central Missouri. Unless you want to buy or make another loom, I'd weave a square and then use the "regular" way to make bias tape from fabric. :)

Sat, 01/17/2015 - 23:24

Missus T.

Carol Leigh Brack-Kaiser makes the loom in Columbia, Missouri; if you google her name, you'll find the web store.

Sun, 01/18/2015 - 00:34

Peg.Cherre (not verified)

Yeah, I don't want to get another loom.  What do you think about weaving a narrow strip, such as one would on an inkle loom?  Obviously it wouldn't be bias, but would have 2 nice selvedges that wouldn't need to be folded in.  Or would that not make a good edging?

 

Sun, 01/18/2015 - 01:38

sandra.eberhar…

It depends on what shape you want to bind.  If it's just a straight edge, non-bias will work. but it will give you a firmer, harder edge.  The reason people go the work of cutting bias strips and and sewing them together is that it is a very flexible binding  that stretches and bends around corners (inside and out) easily and smoothly.  It's not because it's easy to turn the edges under; that's actually easier to do with straight grain strips.  If you make an inkle band out of light wool that can  be shaped and shrunk to fit your edges, that could work well.  It would need to be something like 2/20 wool to work well.

Sun, 01/18/2015 - 01:46

Peg.Cherre (not verified)

That makes sense, Sofa Dog.  I think I'll stick with bias, even though it's more work.  It will be a nicer finish for my project.

 

Mon, 01/19/2015 - 01:19

lilyspin

A flat kumihimo braid is very flexible and makes an excellent trim. It behaves like bias, though it does not have the same texture as the woven fabric. A member of my guild has used the flat braid for trim with stunning results.
Mon, 01/19/2015 - 03:05

Peg.Cherre (not verified)

Kumihimo braids make sense, Lilyspin, except for 2 things: I don't know how to do it, and I need the bias binding to enclose a raw edge.  I'm not sure which is more important.  Wink

Mon, 01/19/2015 - 03:22

Bonnie Inouye (not verified)

One time I needed a long piece of flexible black edging to go around a reversible wool cape that I wove for a Convergence fashion show. I got a friend with a knitting machine to weave some trim with the same black yarn that I used as weft. This worked very well. We agreed on a trade ahead of time. (The garment was accepted and has since been sold.)

Bonnie Inouye

Mon, 01/19/2015 - 12:41

Peg.Cherre (not verified)

That makes sense, too, Bonnie.  I might consider that...I THINK someone in my Guild has a knitting machine.  I also think that project is going to have to wait a little, so I have a bit of time to figure this out.  At this moment I can't even decide on what fiber I'll use - cotton?  rayon?  alpaca?  See...not ready to weave what's in my mind yet.

Mon, 01/19/2015 - 22:50

sally orgren

Could one weave a very narrow band in finer yarns (16/2 or 20/2) on a shaft loom in a diagonal with the twill point at the center of the narrow band? (Threaded 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4 and then reversing at the middle?)

To use, fold the band over, and enclose the raw edges of the garment. Would the twill lines and thinness of the fabric provide enough flexibility?

Mon, 01/19/2015 - 23:06

Peg.Cherre (not verified)

I wonder if anyone has tried that?  If so, I'd love to hear their experience.

Tue, 01/20/2015 - 02:26

Bonnie Inouye (not verified)

I have seen twill tape in a fancy fabric store (sadly, no longer in business). I bought some but don't know the intended use. There is no stretch on the twill tape, partly due to tight selvages.

One time, I wove an all-black cotton fabric to use in a coat with some Lampas fabric having the same black yarn as weft with a colorful dyed warp. I used a fancy twill on 16 shafts that included some areas of plain weave. The textures added interest. I cut some pieces on the bias, having sampled to work out the slope of the diagonals in the twill. The coat was in the fashion show at Minneapolis Convergence and it was purchased by a weaver.

Bonnie Inouye