Applying Bias Tape on Arm and Neck Holes

June 10, 2009 by badhuman

Litte Girl Dresses Almost Done, originally uploaded by Shear Delight.

These dresses aren’t quite done, I still need to go to the store and purchase some ribbon and buttons to close up the back but I’ve already learned a valuable skill. When working on this blouse I got very confused when it came time to apply the bias tape. I was thinking of it like a quilt binding that had to be visible when in reality it doesn’t have to be visible at all.

So here is how you attach single fold bias tape to neck and arm holes

The first step is to cut out the bias tape, you could buy it store bought but it’s not hard to make. You can see my instructions here. Of course if you only need a small amount then you can simply turn the fabric on the diagonal before cutting out the appropriate sized strips.

Next head on over to your ironing board and fold in one edge 1/2 inch.

Then fold the long edge in half so that the wrong sides are together.

Place the right side of the bias tape to the right side of the arm (or neck) hole lining up the raw edges.

You may have to use a lot of pins to ease the bias tape around the opening.

When you get around to the other side trim the end to 3/4 in and tuck in into the folded edge of the bias tape. You’ve now have a complete circle of bias tape.

Head over to your sewing machine and attach using a 1/8 in seam.

Go slowly as you will need to smooth the fabric as you go. You also want to make sure you are only sewing through one side, it’s very easy to get the otherside of your armhole caught by the needle.

Sew all the way around making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.

Now fold this under the arm hole opening so it is no longer visible from the outside.

Head back to the machine and top stitch a 1/4 in seam around the arm (or neck) hole opening.

Again watch out that you don’t catch the other side or the pins on the other side under the needle. If you don’t you may end up sewing your pin head to your garment. My sewing machine can’t shirr but it can sew through a plastic pin head… go figure!

And your done! This is how the two styles look side by side. One has single fold bias tape that is invisible and the other has double fold bias tape that is clearly visible.

If you want to learn how to apply double fold bias tape head over to the Angry Chicken and her fabulous video tutorial.

Posted in tutorials | Tagged applying bias tape to armholes, applying bias tape to garments, applying binding to garments, attaching bias tape to neck hole, bias tape, binding tape | 13 Comments

13 Responses

on June 11, 2009 at 6:12 pm Colleen (bcharmer)

Perfect, and nice job! I love to see these step by step processes!
on June 17, 2009 at 10:42 pm Sarah

Thank you! I’m working on a top for my little girl and the instructions in my pattern were confusing me like crazy. I finally just googled “bias tape in armhole”, followed your instructions, and now have a nice armhole on the top! I’m fairly new to sewing, so this was really helpful. I love all the tops you’ve made, really lovely!
on June 18, 2009 at 9:58 pm Another Sewing Project Done! « So what? Sew buttons!

[...] have been written in Greek. We ended up googling “bias tape in armpit” and finding a great visual tutorial on Shear Delight. I followed her instructions [...]
on July 21, 2009 at 10:02 pm Arlene

I never thought of doing it that way- fabulous idea! – Makes using coordinating fabric soooo much easier!

Thank you:-)
on August 16, 2009 at 10:02 am amber

thank-you. i actually can’t thank you enough. I may have never figured out how to line the neck and arms of my daughter’s dress without your blog!!!
on April 30, 2010 at 12:12 am Ro

I have been searching online for an hour trying to find a step by step tutorial on bias tape for armholes on little girl dresses that I am sewing. I was happy to find your site and love the step by step instructions with pictures. Most of us ‘crafters’ need visual aids, especially if we are trying something new on our own.

My latest project is making pillowcase dresses for little girls that I am donating to Africa/Haiti. Here is that pattern I am using-
http://www.nancysnotions.com/text/pdf/LittleDressesforAfrica_pattern.pdf

Again Thank You!!!~Ro
on May 6, 2010 at 4:35 pm Silvia

thank you, this tutorial is really useful. now my jacket´s neck really neat
on September 14, 2010 at 8:38 pm ginger

you have made this soooo easy to understand! thank you!
on March 5, 2011 at 12:22 pm Kelly Anne

Thank you, thank you! I’m working on a pattern (in fact, I suspect it’s the same pattern) and I could not make sense of what the author was trying to say. Your instructions are super clear and corrected at least 3 mistakes I was making from the original pattern.
on July 10, 2011 at 9:47 pm Rachel

Thank you! I’m working on a pillow case dress but couldn’t follow the directions. You’re photo tutorial was EXACTLY what I needed!
on August 19, 2011 at 7:48 pm Lilly Ferron

I’ve been looking for a easy to understand tutorial like this forever! This is perfect! Thanks so much!
~Lilly
on October 29, 2011 at 1:18 pm Meg

Thank you for providing these clear and concise instructions. What a help it was!
on November 28, 2011 at 10:10 am Tracey

Thank you.very easy to understand