Simplicity Bias Tape Machine

by Simplicity Creative Group, Inc

• Perfect for creating bias tape quickly and easily
• Includes machine
• Features include auto-feed, auto shut-off, variety of heat settings
• Box doubles as a carrying case with a handle on the lid; portable and lightweight enough to carry to classes
• Fold and press flat bias strips into 1-inch wide single fold bias tape with the push of a button;

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 9.3 x 6.5 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B002CT3YX2
• Item model number: 881925
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #977 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing (See Top 100 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing)
  • #3 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing > Sewing > Sewing Tools > Patterns & Templates

Product Description

Have you ever imagined being able to make 12-feet of bias tape in as little as 60 seconds without burning your fingers? Create 1-inch bias tape by feeding a cut fabric strip into a bias tape tip and then to an iron press creating folded/ironed single fold bias tape. This phenomenal machine features include auto-feed; removable power cord; On/off switch; automatic shut-off after 10-minute of inactivity and multiple temperature settings for a variety of fabrics and is extremely easy to use. UL approved. With the push of a button you can create up to 35-feet of custom bias tape with no burnt fingers. Perfect for apparel crafters and quilters alike. Machine measures 5 by 8-1/2 by 5-1/2-inch closed and 4 by 18 by 5-1/2-inch open and machine features enough room inside to store everything. Imported.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars No More Burned Fingers September 7, 2009

By Andrea Duggan

I bought this machine to avoid the burned fingers and to speed up the process of making my own bias tape. I read some mixed reviews but decided to try it and return it if it was not up to par. I tried it out first with a rather heavy weight cotton figuring if it can do that, the lighter weights would work as well. The press was not quite as crisp as I would like on the heavy weight, and it took a little getting used to the machine ,but it did work and my tender little fingers did not even get warm! ALSO I did not need to drag out the ironing board,the iron, etc. Too expensive at the going price but good coupions and sales are available easily enough. I look forward to the other size tips that are due out soon...although for the price they could have included a couple of sized tips. Worth it of you sew a lot and use a lot of bias tape, as I do!

96 of 100 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good only with the 1" bias tape tip, other accessories useless January 26, 2010

By A. Chan

I bought this from Joanns and was estatic to find that it did as promised. I went back to the store and got the 1/2" and 3/8" bias tape maker and 1 1/4" quilt binding tip. None of them work with the machine. The bias tape maker tips were too far from the "iron" so by the time the thin strip of fabric left the tip and into the iron, it was already unraveled. You end up with a flat piece of fabric, no folds. As for the quilt binding tip, I couldn't even get the fabric to fit through the tip even with tweezers, the fabric was simply too bulky and flimsy to get the entire end of the strip to fit through to get it started.

You're better off with an iron and folding it in half yourself. All in all, if you're just doing 1" bias tapes, this is a super fast and cute machine and worth it. If only the other tips work. I'd love to hear solutions to this. The only way I got it to work was to hold the tip right against the iron by hand, but that's the same as using a handheld metal bias tape maker! It took me 4 passes to get the 1/2" tip to fold a piece of fabric with the machine with hit and misses. It only took me less than a minute to do it with my manual clover metal tip and mini iron.
I'll be returning this as I'm hoping they'll fix this problem with the next generation of machines.

59 of 67 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Go for it!! July 21, 2009

By Silver Fox

This bias tape maker does the job. It makes crisp folds. I have only used it with quilter quality cotton. But, I figured that was the toughest test. Makes the bias tape fast and well. The trick is to make sure you press the reset button each time you plug it in or change the settings. Well worth the money. No more burned fingers. Go for it!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Glad I saved the packaging! May 23, 2010

By FBRoot

This is going back. I love new products, and am always very optimistic. But this was not worth the money. The 1" tip works well except at the seams where for some reason it does not fold the edges to the middle. But the 3/8" tip that I bought to use with it, and is the reason I bought the machine in the first place, simply DOES NOT WORK. the folds open right up as soon as the tape escapes the tip, and you get a well pressed FLAT strip of fabric. Completely useless for what I wanted.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!! October 27, 2009

By L. Smith

I started quilting this January when I was laid off work. I find the whole binding process a big pain, so anything to make it easier is right up my alley. I finally talked myself into spending the money. Boy is it worth every penny! I starch my quilt shop quality cotton and results are straight and crisp everytime. The only complaint I might have is that the roller sometimes needs a little help pulling the fabric through. I would definitely buy again.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Handy gadget March 9, 2012

By Kathy

Amazon Verified Purchase

Works exactly as described and very quick. I have spent hours hand ironing bias seam binding; this has reduced it to very little time involvement. I do however have some suggestions: dampen the fabric before you roll it onto the spindle. This creates a sharper crease, make sure the heat plate is firmly engaged and remember to hit the reset button. You can make double fold tape by simply folding tape in half and running your hand iron over single folded tape. I then ran the tape back through machine for an extra press.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank goodness for this contraption! January 11, 2012

By Sofia

I sew my own costumes- halloween and dance. I've spent so much money buying bias tape that my boyfriend (very generously) surprised me one day with the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker. This is a life saver! The 1" tip that it comes with is PERFECT for a majority of my costumes. It really does yards and yards of fabric is such a little time. I think I had about 10yds of bias tape and it only took the machine a few minutes. It is a little noisy, but it doesn't bother me- my cat was sure surprised though, lol. It took a trial or two to figure out how to use it, but the instructions are pretty clear. You have to cut the strip of fabric twice as wide as the tip calls for. So 2" for the 1" included tip. There are a few heat settings depending on the type of fabric you are using. So far I've used cotton, cotton polyblend, and tissu lamee with fantastic results. I recommend sparing 5-6" of scrap fabric to see how how you need the iron set to to get the perfect folds. This really is a lifesaver- it's not uncommon for me to need obscene (15 to 20+yds) of bias tape just for one layer of ruffles on a flamenco skirt. This gets it done quickly and right. I only wish there was a roller at the end to wind the bias tape up after it comes out the iron, or a tip that would fold it in half (so a double fold) to 1/2". I'd have no problem running it through the machine twice to achieve a double fold. I haven't bought other tips since the 1" works perfectly for me, but I might try a size or two smaller. If I figure out how to create a double fold, I'll be sure to update. I highly recommend!