How to Sew Bias Tape {Part II}: Corner Edition

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Since my last post on 'How to Sew Bias Tape' found here, many of you have had some questions about how to sew it around corners (like with a square potholder).  So I thought that I would put together another {picture heavy} tutorial for you about taping up those darn corners that seem to cause so much sewing room chaos!  

Weirdly enough, doing these kinds of tutorial are actually a lot of fun.  So I have been thinking that maybe I would start a 'Sewing Series' of some sort to answer some of your FAQ of the sewing/crafting kind.  Would you like that?  Mull it over and either comment or email me some of your questions and I'll see what I can do to help answer them for you...lovely!  

Okay, are ya ready!?!  I'm going to show you how to sew bias tape around corners on my newest prized possession...my mug rug!!

First off, start with the narrower side of your bias tape unfolded and laying against the raw edge on the right side of your fabric.  If you are a little fuzzy about what I am talking about just click here to see Part I of this tutorial.  I started the bias tape in the middle of one side of my mug rug, I think if you have a lot of corners (like with a mug rug or potholder) than it is always best to start in the middle of a side so that way all four of your corners end up looking identical.  

Sew down the crease of your bias tape until you get about 1/4 inch from the edge.  Backstitch and cut your threads being careful not to cut your bias tape.

Then, gather up your bias tape at the corner of your fabric so that you are pinching it at a 45 degree angle.  See the picture above to get a better idea of what I'm talking about.  Am I making sense...hands in the air, anyone?




Next, lay that pinched section of bias tape off to the side so that you can stitch down the next section of bias tape to your fabric.  You will start stitching right at that cross in the bias tape up above.  The point where the two creases intersect...are you seeing it?




Alright, start sewing this side down.  See how my pinched up corner is off to the side (up there to the left in the picture)?




Okay, so now you have this going on...

Your sewn bias tape should look like the picture above.

Here's your aerial view (minus the helicopter)...

Here's the view from the side.

Now, just continue sewing each side just like this.  After you have sewn EACH SIDE SEPARATELY (starting at one corner, stitching down the crease, stopping about 1/4 inch from the edge of your fabric and then backstitching and cutting your thread) you will be ready to flip your corners.  Sounds fun, right!?!  Good, cause it totally is!!

So here is what the front or right-side of your mug rug/potholder should look like at the corners as you are flipping the bias tape back to the other side.  As you flip the corner you are going to ease the tape into a 'mitered' corner on the back side.

To miter the corner you are just going to lay one side of the bias tape flat and then fold the other side over the top of it.  You may need to shimmy the bias tape a bit but it should for the most part 'miter' pretty easily.

And it should look like this on the back (wrong) side.  Corner all mitered....check!

And remember, you may want to be pin-heavy while doing this!!  Go very slowly to make sure your corners stay mitered while you are sewing them down.  It sounds hard but if you go slowly it won't be so awful I promise!

By doing the mitered corner on the back you automatically will get this pretty look on the front.  

See...as you flip the corner the front 'miters' itself pretty darn nicely, wouldn't you agree?

Then, just top-stitch the front side of the bias tape about 1/8 inch from the inner edge so that you catch the back side of the bias tape.

Voila!  The back side of my mug rug...bias tape caught and all!!  

Oh, and in case your wondering...I usually overlap the ends of bias tape about an inch before I cut it loose from the rest of the tape.  This way you are sure to have enough to cover the raw edge when you flip the tape here!

Now my mug rug is all ready for my cuppa tea and some Tim Tams!!

Mmm...I love me some Tim Tams!!

Have you ever had these babies?  They are an Australian cookie but now Pepperidge Farm makes/sells them at Target, woot woot!!   My SIL lived in Australia for a bit and got our family hooked on them.  My favorite is the caramel in case you wondered.  Maybe I'll do a post to show you my Tim Tam Slam it's the whole reason these cookies are to die for.  Seriously. It makes them That Good.

Yum!

{I think it's safe to say my mug rug is now broken in :-) }

Happy Bias Taping!!

{PS. The fabric I used here is from Amy Butler's new line Soul Blossoms in Joy Passion Lily Fern}