What is it? – It’s common knowledge that woven fabric is made on a loom with warp (vertical threads) and weft (horizontal threads). In either direction there is pretty much no stretch at all. That’s a good thing but it also makes it pretty hard to form binding fabric around corners or adapt it to curved shapes found routinely on everything from fashion to quilting to home décor to craft projects. So what to do? How can we use fabric with little or no stretch to finish the curved raw edges found around quilts, placemats, arm holes and necklines or make simple straps for bags and clothing items. It turns out that even though the warp and weft have precious little stretch to them, the 45° diagonal between them has significant elasticity that allows fabric cut on this “bias” to drape around circular or other curved shapes. Stretching fabric on that bias creates fluidity and accommodates our most demanding creative needs. But how do we get this magic bias tape? It can be purchased ready made in our favorite sewing shops. Perfect for those quick, cookie cutter projects. But how about those creative aspirations that are yours alone? For those we need to make custom bias tape. But how? The fabric strips are cut on the bias in a desired width and are usually folded twice lengthwise. The first time the fold is in half to form a reference point. It’s then necessary to reopen this fold and then fold the raw edges on each side back to that center fold mark creating the bias tape with no raw edges. Then press to hold the fold. Sounds a little too much like origami. It also sounds like a lot of time and tedium and we already have not enough of one and too much of the other. So what’s the answer? Clover’s Bias Tape Makers. Mix, match or contrast your fabric and make them any width, it’s all up to you. And it’s easy. Simply cut your desired fabric into strips the appropriate width, pull them through Clover’s Bias Tape Maker and iron into shape in one fluid motion. Now whether you’re making piping, binding seams, finishing raw edges, or any other project you can add the perfect touch with custom bias binding tape.