Magic Square - The easy way to make your own bias binding

Here are the steps to make your own bias tape using the "magic square" technique. It's an ingenious method for cutting a long length of bias tape from a simple square of fabric.

Materials needed:

• A fabric square
• A ruler, chalk pencil, or erasable pen
• Pins
• A pair of scissors or a rotary cutter
• An iron

Steps to make:

1. Choose your fabric:
   • Take a square of fabric in the desired material. The size of the square will determine the length of the bias tape. For example, a 50 cm square will give you about 3.5 to 4 meters of bias tape.
2. Cut the square into two triangles:
   • Cut the square diagonally to get two identical triangles.
3. Join the triangles:
   • Rotate one of the triangles and pin it to the other triangle along the cut edge. Sew with a 1 cm seam allowance.
   Press the seam open:
4. Mark the bias strips:
   • Lay the fabric flat and, using a ruler, draw lines parallel to the long side you just created. The width of your strips depends on the desired bias tape size. For standard bias tape, draw 4 cm wide strips (or adjust as needed).
   • Note: Depending on your initial square, the last strip may be thinner and not necessarily usable.
5. Form a cylinder:
   • Now fold this parallelogram to align the opposite edges (short sides), creating a tube.
   • Offset by one strip so that they overlap by one strip. This will allow for continuous bias tape cutting.
   • In addition, the lines face each other at 1 cm from the edge because there will be a seam allowance, so make sure to place the pins correctly so they cross each line.
   • 
6. Sew the tube:
   • Pin the two edges of the tube and sew them together following the offset line. You will get a twisted cylinder.
   • 
7. Press the seams open:
8. Cut the bias tape:
   • Use your scissors or a rotary cutter to cut along the lines you previously drew. This continuous cut will give you a long strip of bias tape.
   • 
9. Iron and fold:
   • Iron your bias tape to flatten the seams. Then, fold it in half lengthwise and iron again to create a central crease. If necessary, fold the two outer edges towards the center to create ready-to-use bias tape.
   • 

Tip:

• Use bias tape made from fabric that irons well (cotton, linen) for a neat result.

There you go, your bias tape is ready to be used for your sewing projects!

You may need bias tape for sewing your clothes and accessories. For example, bias tape is applied "straddling" the neckline of the Lilas dress or invisible bias tape on Charlie's hem!

Happy sewing!