5 tips for making fusible bias tape with tools from Heirloom and HeatnBond

Yesterday we selected, prepared and fused our fabrics onto our stained glass quilt with HEATNBOND^® Lite Iron-On Adhesive Sheets.

Today with the help of an HEIRLOOM Bias Tape Maker – 6mm (¼”) and HEATNBOND^® Quilter’s Edge Iron-On Adhesive Tape – 6mm x 13.7m we’ll make some bias tape that will give our project an authentic stained glass look.

From the shortest side of the black fabric cut six strips that are each ⅝” wide. Then, from the remaining fabric, cut three strips on 45^o angle that are also ⅝” wide.

Sew the two diagonal strips together at a 45^o angle. Trim the seam down to ⅛” and press open. Before inserting the strip of fabric into the bias tape maker, cut one end of the strip at a 45^o angle.

TIP Insert the black fabric into the Heirloom Bias Tape maker using a pin to help guide the fabric through.

TIP Once the black fabric strip is through the end of the bias tape maker, I secure the end of the fabric to the ironing board with a pin. This keeps the fabric from shifting and help it slide through the bias tape maker as it moves along the fabric strip.

Once your fabric strip has been secured to the ironing board, you’re ready to make bias tape. I use the iron to push the bias tape maker along the fabric strip. You may find that you need to pull on the bias tape maker ever so slightly to help it moving smoothly along the fabric strip.

TIP You must go slowly! You want the edges of the bias tape to be nicely folded and pressed. You could also use a light mist of sizing or of water to help ensure sharp creases.

Repeat this process for all black strips.

Our last step for today is to fuse the iron-on adhesive tape to the fabric bias tape. This step prepares the bias tape strips to be secured to the quilt top before sewing.

TIP This product only takes 2-3 seconds to fuse to the fabric so you must be quick.

For delicate pressing tasks like this, I like to use the GO IRON™ Mini Travel/Craft Iron due to its small sole-plate.

Place the iron-on adhesive tape sticky side down on the backside of the fabric leaving the paper side up.

TIP You’ll need to press quickly making sure that you stay on the fabric and not on your ironing board!

Almost there!

Now that our sections of bias tape are all prepared we are ready for the last steps to complete our shamrock stained glass quilt. Come back tomorrow and I’ll also show you how to sew the bias tape to the quilt top using a double needle.