bias maker | Simple Bird Applique

I love (love!) when people ask me questions about something I post on my blog. For that reason, I am going to show you how I make my bias strips, which I use for stems. First, let’s start with my pressing board…..it is a wooden board approximately 18″ x 18″ x 1″ that I have covered with a few layers of cotton fabric, so that the surface it still hard. I have tried making bias strips on my ironing board (it has a very soft, thick pad on it) and it does not work at all.

When I use my 1/4″ bias maker, I cut my strips 1/2″ wide. If you cut your strips even a 1/16th of an inch narrower, the strip will not go through the bias maker properly.

Next, I spray the strip with starch. I like to do one strip at a time because the starch dries fairly fast and you do not want the strips to be dry. Your strips should be very damp when you put them through the bias maker.

Using my stiletto, I guide the strip into the bias maker.

Next, I turn the bias maker over and continue to guide the strip so that the end comes out the other side.

Now I lay everything on my pressing board and place a pin through the bias and into the board. You will be glad you did this!

I take my iron in my right hand and slowly move the bias maker with my left hand and press along the folded bias strip. Important note: I don’t leave any space at all between the bias maker and the iron. Also, I use the flat edge of the iron, rather that the tip of the iron.