Sewing smooth bias tape facings for armholes: unlock the secrets!

Learn the secret to sewing a flawless bias tape facing around armholes in this tutorial! If you've been frustrated with puckers, wrinkles, or pulling, this is what you've been missing! Learn two simple ways to create a smooth facing that will level up your sleeveless armholes, or any inner curves! 🧵
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Music: KZbin Audio Library
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#sewingtutorial #sewingtips #sewing

[@teresabuckman850]

I never thought I would get so excited about finishing an armhole, but yeah girl, awesome technique.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! It does feel SO satisfying and exciting when you do it. 😁

[@sweetlorikeet]

There needs to be the sewing equivalent of a nobel prize so that this video can be awarded it.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you!! 🥹

[@aimee-made]

This just changed my life. I think I've been sewing in bias tape incorrectly this whole time. I started off my sewing journey with quilting and then transitioned more to garment-making. I've been applying bias tape to armholes and necklines as if I were applying it to a quilt - I wasn't turning the whole tape to the inside of the garment! I always make my own tape out of the fashion fabric, so it's not like these garments are unwearable or anything, but when you KNOW better, you can DO better! THANK YOU!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're so welcome! Though I think it's perfectly fine to apply it how you have been, that's just binding the armhole vs. using the bias tape as a facing, and some patterns use that as a design element if that makes you feel better. 😊

[@lynettemclean5215]

Me too! Now I can go back to the project I’m stalled at and finish it properly 😃

[@littleblackcar]

In fairness, that is another way to do it, but it's a different look. I've done that intentionally when I wanted contrasting bound armscyes and necklines, but I usually use wider bias strips and the application is a little different.

[@lynn858]

... This is such a basic application of geometry - once it's pointed out! Thank you!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're welcome! That's one of the things I love about sewing, learning something and realizing why it makes sense.

[@7HoofsforYHWH]

Thank you so much for this. And even it may seem like paint drying. I needed to be watching the slow process. Now if I can somehow be filled with patience haha.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're welcome! I'm sure you'll summon the patience if you summoned the patience to watch me pin. 😁

[@Matty06001]

First of all, I love your look. Secondly, wow, great reminders. I used to so close all the time, but I got out of it for decades, and I’m thinking I might want to go back into it. I never even consciously realized it, but I do stretch, the binding instead of just laying it down! I’m subscribing!

[@MidoTheDuck]

I just learned about bias tape today (I've been sewing for all my life, and up until recently I've been just winging it- with wildly varying success) and this is the best and most informative video about how to use it! Thanks for saving me from a whole bunch of hurdles!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're so welcome, hope it helps your future bias tape adventures!

[@emilyrosenzweig9946]

Great tip -- I've always stretched my bias tape too, and now I see what you mean about why that makes it worse!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Exactly! I’ll never stretch again. Unless I’m actually supposed to. 🤣

[@lizzieb6311]

Omg! I’m at the armholes and neck facings of a linen top I’m working on right now. I can’t wait to try this this evening. I have always “stretched” the tape a bit at curves and have always been blessed with those darn puckers! The ease makes so much more sense!

[@user-zg4tb4ky9z]

Superb technique video, THANK YOU!!! All these years I couldn't figure out why my bias tape facings were rolling outward. I always felt disappointed and a bit embarrassed with my outcomes. Wow, who knew!!

[@Ritarosephotography]

Wow. Been sewing gaping arm and neck wholes for my whole sewing life. Thank you

[@NoirGirl39]

I really love how you say it's okay to clip bias tape! Somehow I have it in my head you can't/shouldn't and I never understood the logic there

[@tashacouldmakethat]

YES! I have those moments when I'm thinking "hmm this seems like it would be easier if I just did XYZ thing, why does no one tell me to do that, maybe I shouldn't? Two projects later where I'm not thrilled with that particular thing still... "Oh forget it, I'm doing it." And then... so much happier I did. 🤣

[@naheedgulshad8327]

It can also be done by either running a wide seam on the fold line of the bias tape, or running a small basting stitches by hand on the fold of bias tape then pulling the thread which will make this edge shorter instead of pinning. By pinning sometimes it happens that you end up stretching shirt because of the ease. About ironing bias tape remember it should always be done on the grain line of the fabric, otherwise you will end up ruining the purpose of being bias. Hope I explained it clearly

[@rikkib7636]

Mind blown. Thank you for showing us the right way to sew in bias tape. I’ve always struggled with it.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks, hope it helps!

[@Vegnak59]

Just what I needed! Thank you so much for this! I just couldn't figure out why my armholes were flaring out at the side seam after applying the bias binding. I had already redone the armholes twice with terrible results. Your tutorial explained everything perfectly and as another commenter stated, was life changing. 😊

[@KissMyFrog42]

I like to prep my bias tape by ironing it into a curve before I apply it to the armhole/neckline/whatever. I find I get a much smoother finish this way. *Edit to add:* I really should watch the whole video before commenting!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

LOL! No worries, my mom actually asked me about the curving in the middle of watching it before she got to that part too. 😂 I tend to go for the pin method the most out of habit but also I find it a bit easier when doing a closed armhole.

[@AnneS508]

Im glad im not the only one who tried stretching it! Thanks for this!

[@NinaKeilin]

Yes! The enemy of quality work is rushing! Very good demo.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! And yes, whenever I'm hurrying I know I'll regret it!

[@NinaKeilin]

IKR? When I lose patience I must put the project down.

[@pastda3]

This is a very helpful video. Thank you so much. :)

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're very welcome!

[@julsbendandi9374]

Thank you! No more “pouting lips” on my bias finished curves! ❤❤❤

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're welcome! Also that's a great term, ha ha!

[@TheAliBambam]

Thank you thank you thank you!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You are so welcome!

[@deehill6266]

Thanks for the idea 🪡

[@karenb9517]

Thanks! This was very helpful.❤

[@tashacouldmakethat]

I'm so glad!

[@Timetravel1111]

I’m learning how to sell and your video made me feel a lot more confident I would like to make dresses from the 50s. I absolutely love this video. You were really light and fun about it and easy and great camera angle. I’m definitely subscribing today and I need more videos like this. I don’t even know what it was. It sounds weird because I don’t really like the name and it very intimidating to hear by tape. I wish she would just call like armpit trim or like you know cause it’s not tape and it’s not sticky and I don’t know what the word bias really means lol I laugh out loud learning. The jargon is also part of learning the process of sewing still haven’t done really well with a pattern yet I’m taking baby steps, I’m gonna make it beautiful fort dress that is elegant

[@annareverie13]

Fantastic tutorial, wish I’d learned this years ago!!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fawntheresa5338]

I love coming back to rewatch these videos when I need them. Thank you!

[@lettienugent]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@saradavila7637]

I love that you show two different options! It gives people a choice of what works for them. I’m dyslexic and one way only sometimes doesn’t work for me.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! it’s always nice to have options since our brains don’t all work in the same way and what works for one might not work for another. 🙂

[@kasiako355]

Fantastic, thank you 💖

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Thanks for this! Sometimes the hardest thing is getting your brain around how you deal with curves and corners! It usually takes a bit and a few wonky things before a light bulb moment!

[@mjdc2533]

Thanks. I don’t like ironing the bias to a curve so this is great and I would never have believed it if I had not seen your easing process. ❤

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're welcome! I'm glad it helped to see it, it really is easy with that little bit of easing.

[@tamanikas.7221]

Thanks so much for this Tasha✨🙏🏽you’re such an awesome instructor!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@destinyramsey4]

VERY helpful!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ettasargent4798]

Love your work

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you so much 😀

[@sewbiz51]

Great tip!! Thanks

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sharonaliza8984]

I never even thought about this as sewing on a curve (duh!). Great tutorial! Thank you.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@carolyng5133]

This video was so helpful! Thank you

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're so welcome!

[@theverbind]

So lovely!!!❤

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you! 😊

[@carolmarlatt3834]

Thanks so much! You are a great teacher. ❤️

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Wow, thank you! 🥰

[@AmySnively]

Fabulous! Thanks! ❤

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You are so welcome!

[@squirrephant5368]

I will be using your advice in my sewing, thanks!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You are so welcome!

[@chareseshinabery]

Great tutorial, thank you! ❤

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You are so welcome!

[@Torontogal777]

Thank you! I needed this lesson!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're welcome!

[@cherylrosbak4092]

This is so helpful!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Glad to hear it, thanks!

[@robyn3349]

Thank you, Tasha! A super tutorial!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You are so welcome, thank you!

[@lorrainedempsey3320]

Wonderful instructions!!! Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lorriwall2523]

Great tip!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks!

[@-.-4]

I’ve avoided making armholes that need bias tape. ❤ Yippee! Just subscribed!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Welcome and thanks for subscribing! 😊

[@liverbird46]

2 great tips. Thanks 😉

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Glad it was helpful!

[@solangeherault7038]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're very welcome!

[@jmanonmakes]

This is such a great tip. Thank you!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You are so welcome!

[@sarabrunsvold2461]

Great tutorial!!!!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you!

[@cathymacdonald1651]

WOW - game changer!!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@juliettelynne5861]

Nicely done! Thank you ❤

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you! 😊

[@josephhoh]

Whoa!! That makes so much sense. Can't wait to use this technique.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Hope it helps!

[@kmbarnett1200]

Well, dang. That's just what I wasn't doing. So much simpler! I know it's not sewing, but I'd Love to see a nail tutorial sometime please!

[@lorrainedempsey3320]

Beautiful work!!!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you so much 😀

[@michellecornum5856]

That is so counter-intuitive , and yet --amazing!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Agree! But sometimes the simplest solutions make things so much better!

[@lesliequeenan3045]

Great tutorial!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you!

[@calliebeach5116]

Thank you so much! Super excited to sew my next top and try this out!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Awesome, glad to help!

[@annie-rosedredge8002]

THANKYOU

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're very welcome!

[@kathleentroutman1777]

Yowza! I'm so happy that i found your channel! I love the clothes you make for yourself. Youre a great teacher...and i really appreciate your style. You just got a new loyal subscriber

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Well thank you so much, and welcome!

[@geriattrique7141]

Thanks! This is soooooo helpful! I also am a big fan of pins!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're welcome! Go team pins 🙌🏼

[@mymai5859]

Great vid...great thorough instructions. Natural teacher. Much appreciated 💜 💐💜

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@chp21600]

Great info! Thank you!! I love gingham.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! ME TOO. Love gingham. 😁

[@luciatat4084]

Wow! 😀Thank you so much! Never imagined this would be the secret 😄

[@tashacouldmakethat]

It's kind of a surprise isn't it, but makes a lot of sense once you know!

[@carriemarks]

Love this! Thank you for sharing, I’ll definitely be using these tips in my next make! ❤

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're so welcome, glad it was hepful!

[@sayoko88]

So timely! I'm about to upcycle my old long sleeve shirt to sleeveless. I will try your technic. Thank you, Tasha!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You’re welcome! Hope it works out well on your refashion. 😊

[@akilahmessado9996]

Thank you!!!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're very welcome!

[@laurum1318]

Omg! I guess I have to start believing in providence. I was looking for a knit sewing idea but last week I made myself a sleeveless linen top with bias tape and yes, the neckline and armholes are pocking out a bit and I couldn’t figure out why. Thank you for this very useful tip. Now I know how my next linen top will look ❤

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Yay, excellent timing then!

[@EmilyExplosion27]

This was really helpful! I have never bound an armhole because I didn't want that curving towards the outside. But I might do it now! My actual problem is bias binding the outside of a tight curve. I always get lots of puckering and a serious curve towards the inside.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! Do you mean on an outer curve, like a scallop or corner of a quilt? I don't think I've ever done an outside curve with bias tape (or at least not that I can recall) but assuming there's some good tips from quilters as they do that all the time. Well I guess I've *kind* of done it, at the top of the shoulder on the blouse I was wearing in this video and the black gingham one shown, it literally comes to a pretty sharp triangle so there's no way to ease it, I have to actually fold it a bit like for a V-neck.

[@sharonkeller3811]

Excellent tutorial, great audio and visuals! I 💜 it all!!! New subby here!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks and welcome!!

[@loveinseattle]

Thank you!! I had no idea why this kept happening to me. This explains everything.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Yay, glad it helped unlock a problem area!

[@Casperinie19]

Thank you for this video. It just explained everything I was doing wrong.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Great to hear it helped!

[@Mylittleveggarden_no7]

Thank you for this , I’m about to start my first ever tee and found this really helpful - please do more for us beginners 😊

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@hellojossews4582]

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much! I have just done the best armholes I’ve ever done and I’ve tried soooo many times. Thank you - thank you - thank you 🤩

[@tashacouldmakethat]

YAY!!! I love hearing this! Congrats to you and your awesome armholes! 💪🏼

[@maryhull531]

Great hint .

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks!

[@rosemoore5364]

Hi. Lucky for me this time I couldn't sleep because I found your channel and this incredible video. I am now subscribed. Thank you so much for the great demonstration so we can all improve our sewing skills. Have a nice day.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Sorry you couldn't sleep but glad it was productive for you and led you to my channel! 😁 Welcome!

[@loriweitzel]

As a beginner, THIS IS AMAZEBALLS! Thank you so much! 🙂

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're so welcome!

[@oddlyuncommon3535]

Excellent tutorial! I find stay stitching really helps bias bindings behave better as well.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you!

[@raraavis7782]

Good tutorial! I've always ironed mine in shape. Will try this for comparison.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! Either work great, I just tend to go with the pinning and find it easier on closed armholes. Plus I tend to start in on it and then think eh, no reason to unpin and press the curve instead at this point. 😂

[@Puppy52]

Good tips!😍😍

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! 😊

[@colin101981]

Thanks for a great fun video with a very useful tip. Greetings from North Wales UK 🙋‍♂🙋‍♂

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Have been to Wales twice though it's been several years. Stayed with friends who were living in Cardiff for a few years. You have a lovely country! 😊

[@colin101981]

@@tashacouldmakethatThank you so much, we are indeed blessed with beautiful countryside. Hope you have a lovely day xx

[@AudreyMasonStory]

Great video. I make hats and use the iron to shape the curve trick on the sweat band. Not sure why but I never thought to use it on bias tape for clothes. Thanks!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Glad it was helpful! I don’t make hats but I’ve heard of doing that for the band, it’s a useful technique!

[@catherinedilworth1363]

Good demonstration, thank you. I think I’ll pre-press the bias strip to the shape of the garment curves before sewing and see if that method works best for me.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! That method works nicely for me with pre-packaged tape in particular, otherwise I tend to use the pinning method more often if I'm making my own and it's being fussy.

[@Kakkydidit]

This was timely. After another not so great neckline this week I thought I'd need to go back to facings

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Hope it'll help you in the future!

[@leahquispe4569]

First i will have to clean up the clutter in my ... to be a sewing room.... But it's one step closer to being ready to sew... Thanks for the needed info....

[@tashacouldmakethat]

😁

[@leithlaws556]

Oh my god I thought ease was the opposite too! I can’t believe this!

[@bethloomis8961]

I noNOTHING about sewing, but even I found tour explanation and video to be quite lucid and illuminating.

[@bethloomis8961]

Sorry, late night. I "know NOTHING."

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Well thanks, that's nice to hear. :)

[@sandyheller5438]

Great tutorial. Thank you 💕💕

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks and you’re welcome! 😃

[@lucilledznoj1792]

​@tashacouldmakethat Hi there, I love the vid for interfacing an armhole & I Love, love, the pattern. Can you share the pattern maker and number. PLEASE? Thank you.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

@@lucilledznoj1792 Thanks! If you're talking about the blue gingham top on the dress form (i.e. not the inside out black gingham top on the dress form lol) that's a 1950s pattern called Printed Pattern 9005, probably Anne Adams or Marian Martin but I don't have the original envelope to confirm. I'll be sewing up that blouse in next week's video (the red gingham example from the tutorial). 😊

[@lucilledznoj1792]

@@tashacouldmakethat Thank you!

[@user-pb8pm5vk2u]

So helpful. Can’t wait to see the blue check sew along on doing the yoke and finishing the bodice underarm section with bias tape. Sorta looks like the New Look 6619 I’m trying to sew-I want a burrito yoke only to be stumped by that little portion of bodice underarm. Pattern calls for bias arm and neck finishings only, but who wants to follow the Big 4 instructions. Note to self-I may be too much of a newbie sewist to try other options, yet😁. Thanks for sharing-the camera work was great (your nails are gorgeous).

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks so much! Hm that's a good stumper on the armhole with your New Look pattern. I think I'd burrito it, then apply the bias tape facing around the armhole, treating both layers of the yoke as one. I mean that's how you'd do it for a yoke on say a button down shirt, setting in the sleeves after, so why not this way? Is it The Right Way? No idea, but when never stopped me from trying something. 😜 You could always baste the two layers of yoke together, if the thought of trying to apply bias tape to two layers makes you want to stab your needles into your fingers instead!

[@user-pb8pm5vk2u]

@@tashacouldmakethat I think you solved my dilemma-may try this on a wearable cotton muslin first before I dive into using better fabric. Thanks so much.

[@lynnodonnell4764]

I started shaping my bias tape over an ironing ham- solved shaping issues

[@tallblonde1976]

I need all the help I can get with bias tape. Its tricky!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

It IS! I hope this helps. ☺️

[@phyllismay4384]

Thanks for this tip. Your Aqua Gingham top is so beautiful. What pattern did you use?

[@nicoled2831]

Thanks for this❤!! I just did bias facing for the first time recently and I also was less than impressed with my initial results! Can’t wait to try this technique!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're welcome! This helps so much!

[@littleblackcar]

A lot of sewing instructions **do** say to stretch the bias and you're right, it doesn't actually make sense. You might need to stretch it along the outside/convex edge, sure, but I don't think I've ever seen that specified. (I figured this out on my own after years of awful-looking armscyes, but I'm so glad someone made a good video of it!)

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Isn't it amazing what you end up stumbling on, on your own, when you assume what you've been told to do should work (but it doesn't). 😂

[@VangoghsDoggo]

Another method is to stitch with the garment side up and letting the feed dogs ease it in. The fabric on the bottom always feeds faster than what is on top. This works for setting sleeves, collars and any place else where you need to work in ease.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

It's usually not enough ease ease for a tight armhole but I definitely use that method in lots of spots. I always think of the way Beverly Johnson described it in her online bramaking classes I've taken, as having a "loose bottom" so you remember which side needs to be eased in. 😂

[@kueichenglee7583]

Thank you 5;55

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're welcome!

[@gdhhayes2129]

If you were to sew it with the bias tape underneath the shirt fabric, and with minimal to no pins, slowly guiding the layers, to keep them aligned, as you go, the feed dogs would do the easing for you. By placing the fabric that needs ease ( in this case the bias tape ) on the top, its effectively working against the desired goal as the feeddogs are attempting to "ease" the shirt fabric.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

I don't find that to be the case as I've tried it, it's not enough easing for a steep curve. Generally I prefer to keep the layer that needs easing below ("loose bottom" as I believe I remember learning in an online class from Beverly Johnson 😂) but it's just not enough here for me. Different strokes for different folks.

[@doedelbroesel3239]

I love all that retro style aesthetics with the iWatch, 😂

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Modern woman, vintage style 😂