Now you’ll sew the two edges together. I’m going to stash this post away for when I get brave enough to try it! In fact, that’s what I’ve called it most of my life. It came out beautifully. Now using the zipper foot on your machine, sew the fabric together as close to the cord as possible without actually sewing on the cord. I wasn’t really thinking it through so first time I did on the wrong side since it was easier to see and that was WRONG – when reviewed before sewing I realized that I would have the seam allowance on the wrong side so I had to redraw the lines on the right side. I tend to use the terms interchangeably now. Cutting strips on the bias of the grain allows it more flexibility and stretch around corners and curves. Now, I just have to get up the courage to make that chair cover . Very often I see DIYers finding thrift store furniture that came with welt cord, and reupholstering it without the welt cord. The threads that run the length of the fabric are on the lengthwise grain and the threads that run diagonally are on the crosswise grain. Now you need fold the strip in half and press it with steam iron. Thanks for clarifying for us. I had directions for using this method of making cording but lost them 30 years ago . I tried your method and it worked like a charm. Better late than never, I suppose. Many patterns will instruct to cut on the bias for fabrics that don't need bias cutting -such as leather vinyl and t-shirt knit -and that sort of ticks me off. The key to slipcovers is patience and plenty of time to get details and measurements right. Cut the bias strips with scissors or a rotary cutter following these lines. Lay out all the layers beside each other, right side out,  leaving one edge folded as shown. THANKS for POSTING THIS! Thanks for taking the time to make it. Next take a t-square or yardstick and using pencil or pen mark the cutting lines. Crease the fold with your iron. Thank you for posting this tutorial. Open the fabric up so that it’s just a single layer with the selvages on the sides, and the cut edges on top and bottom. If I need more than 280 inches of piping (more than twice as much) can I use 1 yard of fabric instead of half a yard? It was much easier than the traditional way and saved me so much time. For example, I was going to use a standard 5/8-inch seam to sew the fabric, so I made sure that the lines were touching 5/8-inch from the edges of the fabric. Generally the fabric is cut on the bias (diagonally across the fabric on a 45 degree angle) as it allows the fabric to stretch and bend around corners better than if it were cut on the straightgrain. When you are finished you will have one long piece of perfect bias strips. Take your fabric and wrap around a pencil or such.. look at the pattern..it will look different if cut on the bias.. as opposed to just cutting straight strips. The fabric for piping should be cut on a bias, or a diagonal, so the piping can stretch slightly as it is sewn into the pillow seam, especially around the corners. Your photos and explanation made it so clear. Today I want to show you a very simple way to cut 280 inches of continuous bias for welt cord (also called piping cord) from 1/2 yard of fabric. If you want to make piping that is longer than the bias strips you've been able to cut from your fabric, it is quick and painless to join multiple bias strips together to create endless strips of binding. . If you don’t have one piece long enough to go all the way around, it’s okay to piece together two strips of fabric. When cut on the bias, fabric has more drape. Hi! Fold your fabric diagonally, matching the side edge with the bottom edge and press like so. That means that the fabric is being cut at a 45 degree angle to the selvage (“finished” edge of the fabric) and cut edges of the fabric. This is fantastic. Would it work the same?? I prefer it because it has a consistent size (the one on the right has thicker spots and thinner spots), and the one on the left feels heavier, more substantial, and more durable. If only I had learned about it 20 years ago!!! Bias cut fabric will stretch and give a little and this is very important when going around a curve or corner (like on a pillow). I too have searched for this simple way to do this, but came of lacking, so thank you for posting this!! Sew, using a 1/2" seam. How to Cut Bias Strips for Piping or Banding When using 54" wide fabric, allow 54” for the length so you can start with a 54" x 54" square. Okay, I did make strips on a 30 degree bias, but I realized that the angles at the ends would not be 45 degrees, so I made the strips the old-fashioned way. Click here to continue. Take one corner of the fabric and fold it diagonally to meet the opposite corner. But, this works like a charm. Which is the term I learned many many years ago from my grandmother who was a seamstress. Cut bias strips. Or millions of thanks–even better! SOOOOO Helpful!! This will give you "true bias". Keeping all layers stacked, move to the sewing machine. I haven’t made it this way yet, but plan on practicing on some muslin to get the technique before using an important piece of fabric. In this position the bias strip is ready for adding between the edges of fabrics of something. You are my idol! Does anyone have any idea on what I’m doing wrong? Your technique actually looks fun. You can cut multiple bias strips from a single piece of fabric and sew them together to make the covering for long cording. This is SO EXCITING, thank you so much for sharing! If you are using pre-made bias tape, cut off however much you need, open it up, and iron it flat to remove the creases. Cutting strips on the bias of the grain allows it more flexibility and stretch around corners and curves. For How to cut fabric on the bias for bias strips 360″ of bias x 4 1/2″ wide = 1620 ÷ 42″ wide fabric = 38.57″ ÷ 36 = 1.07 yards of fabric. Thank you! It’s quite definitive and I liked that you explained it step by step. My favorite projects with welt cord tend to be upholstery and slipcovers that use a contrasting color on the welt cord, like this dark gray slipcovered chair with contrasting white welt cord from Custom Slipcovers By Shelley. Since the weaving is rarely perfectly square, a seamstress must be careful about how she makes bias cuts, as each cut will behave differently. Question to you all-how wide do I need to draw my strips if I am covering a 3/8″ cord and sewing it in pillows with a 1/2″ seam allowance? Bias cut fabric is cut at a 45 degree angle from the straight of grain. and I was able to pull it off!!! It will really help to cut the fabric on the bias. I had a little difficulty working my mind around HOW this method would really wor, but once I was able to visualize it, I was fine. November 30, 2012 at 12:31 am. The bias is a 45-degree angle through the warp and weft threads of a fabric. can you help me this that. I need 17 yards of welting. I hope this helps and has not muddied the great tutorial ! Kristi, Wow! Thank you so much for a great tutorial. On the cording, I couldn’t find any in my super store and am not near a real sewing store so I purchased clothesline cord. But I have since learned a much easier way to make one long continuous bias strip that requires sewing only one single seam. This has saved a project wih expensive and dwindling yardage, thank you so much! Great tip!! Cut as many strips as your project requires, parallel with the 45 degree crease you made. Now, we have the fabric but are struggling with the piping aspect! I admit that I have never even once in my life made bias tape. Take the next layer and join it to the next. Now that you have your bias tape ready, you have two choices. I’m sure you could use larger fabric. Help! When you make your piping, cut the fabric on the bias. Wow! Can’t wait to get home and try it! Fabric that is cut on the bias is cut from one corner to the other of the fabric. Thanks so much! The tutorial also shows you how to sew it onto the fabric, and a few tips on how to make the sewing easier and get a professional finish. Thank you so much!!!! Perhaps you’ve heard it called piping? Bias Tape is strips of fabric cut on the bias (diagonally cut across the grain of the fabric). Okay, I’ve been sewing for a zillion years and that is the most brilliant explanation and technique I have ever seen! Is there cord that is 1/4 inch? Thank you so much!! Now to add the cording. Do you know what welt cord is? Here are couple tips for turning vinyl fabric into a reasonably flexible piping. hahaha ! Technically, there are two bias cuts, one slanting to the right, and one to the left. Yep, I’m one of those who just skipped the welt cord — but no more! Fold your fabric diagonally, matching the side edge with the bottom edge and press like so. Thanks again Kristi , […] that fabric, but I found a similar one, and this one even had the dark navy blue that I used on the welt cord on my dining chairs.