Tutorials: How to make continuous bias, plus how to calculate how much you’ll get

I have a pretty healthy stash of bias tape scored from estate sales and fabric store discounts. But by far and away, my favorite bias tape is still the stuff I make myself. Bias tape from a stripe or a polka dot is generally so much more delicious than a solid from a very limited palette at the store. Heather from The Sewing Loft shares a pair of tutorials about making your own bias tape. The first shows how to make a looooong strip of continuous bias using just one seam. The second shows how to calculate the amount of continuous bias you’ll get from a piece of fabric. She includes some handy charts showing how much fabric you’ll need to use to create different lengths of bias tape. Go to her continuous bias tape tutorial. Go to her post showing how to calculate continuous bias.

[photo from The Sewing Loft]

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Christmas is one of those holidays that you just can decorate too much for. There’s no limit to the amount of holiday cheer you can bring into you home! There’s no such thing as too many Christmas decorations. You can bring Christmas décor into any room of the house – including the kitchen! Which is kind of fitting given how many Christmas activities and gifts are made in the kitchen. We’ve rounded up 13 Christmas kitchen accessories you can sew for your home or to give as gifts.

The list includes holiday themed hot pads, potholders ,aprons, and more that you can sew and decorate your kitchen all season long. Most are things you can make in an evening or less. These would also make wonderful hostess gifts for any holiday parties or gatherings you’re attending. Read on for the kitchen sewing ideas!