The Stitching Faerie and Bias Tape Maker Success!

Perseverance, fortitude and dedication...a quilter must have all of these traits...but having a very clever and creative friend tops them all! Thanks to one of my applique stitching friends who also owns one of the Simplicity Bias Tape Makers, the mystery of the non-folding 1/4" tip has been solved. At a recent get together, we had dueling bias tape maker machines...

Barbara Jean discovered that if you cut the bias strips 1/8" wider than recommended in the instructions...(we are told that if the final bias tape or stem should finish to 1/4", then cut the strips at 1/2" - just like using one of the Clover bias makers)...

...in this case, cut the strips 5/8" wide...then you can see by the photos, a perfectly folded bias stem emerges from this lovely little machine and we are now on very good terms with each other...most of the time...
Still have a little issue with how yards of prepared bias feed when the joining seam hits the narrow tip end...

As you can see, the edges have a tendency to open up, so I am playing with how the seam is tapered.

It is important to have the seam allowance going away from the entry point on the tip.

At any rate, it is minor as those little edges can be needle-turned in when appliqueing. 


I made 5 yards though in less than a minute...I know, I know, this isn't a race...but it is kind of fun! And once my borders are set up, it means I can get to the appliqueing that much sooner...and I didn't burn my fingers.


So, in my final report about the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker - I would give it an A-.  End of story!


Look what Lemon Verbena Lady sent me...isn't this little Stitching Faerie the sweetest??!!! (Love the strawberry held by the bird - like William Morris' The Strawberry Thief)

She will hold a place of honor in my sewing room and watch over everything. The people I have "met" through blogging are so incredible - Nancy is so knowledgeable about herbs and gardening in general. I have learned much from her and her friendship is one of life's treasures. 


Life is very good at Taylorsoutback these days...hectic, but good. The back is 100% better, my seed order from Renee's Garden has arrived and even though there is snow in the air, the daylight lingers a little longer each day. Lots of things going on quilting wise and there will be more posts coming soon to show you what I have been up to.

Have a good week and come back to visit soon!