Find Fabric Bias

The bias of fabric is at a 45 degree angle to the fabric grain.  Fabric has "give" (small amount of stretch) in this direction.  This property allows the fabric to be manipulated in different ways than when cut on the grain.

Fabric cut on a bias can be used in several ways:

- embellishment strips
- create matching piping
- binding to cover raw edges 

Cutting your own bias gives you the freedom to choose the type/colour of fabric or if using the same fabric, it will be an exact match. 

1) Line up the fabric selvage along the edge of a table (selvage is on left side of photos).

2) Fold up the corner of the fabric, up toward the center of the table, measure the distance from folded selvage to the edge of the table & pin in place.

3) Measure the same distance, at the corner of the fabric, from the selvage to the edge of the table.  Pin the corner to hold the fabric in place.

4) Insert a pin at the edges of either side of the fold.

5) Unfold the fabric so it is flat.  The pins at the edges mark the fabric bias (45 degree angle).

Using fabric that was previously cut

The same method can easily be applied as long as there is a selvage to work with...even if you are using fabric that was previously cut & now has an uneven edge.