Sewing a neckline with bias tape is an important step in most garments. Mastering this skill will make your finished garment look polished and professional. We use this technique in our Champagne Field Dress pattern.
More Champagne Field Dress Tutorials:
Step 1
To prepare the bias tape, fold and press the bias tape lengthwise in thirds toward the wrong side. Then unfold the bias tape to prepare for the next step.
Step 2
With right sides together, start at center back and pin along the neckline without stretching the bias tape.
Step 3
Overlap the starting and ending point by 1/2”. Trim any excess.
Sew the bias tape ends together with 1/2” seam allowance. Press seam open.
Step 4
Sew the bias tape to the neckline with a 3/8” seam allowance, using the press line closest to the neck as a guide.
Step 5
Press the bias tape and seam allowance up and away from the neckline. Understitch the seam allowance to the bias tape 1/8” from the seam. Make sure this understitch line goes through both the bias tape and the seam allowance.
Step 6
Trim the excess seam allowance down to a 1/4” to reduce the bulk inside the bias binding.
Be sure to only trim the seam allowance, not the portion of the bias tape that will be folded down in the next step.
Step 7
Using the press lines as a guide, fold the bias tape down 3/8” from the raw edge.
Step 8
Fold down again another 3/8”, enclosing the raw edge. Work around the entire neckline, pinning in place as you go. Your bias tape will now be on the inside of your neckline and not visible on the right side of your dress.
Step 9
Press and topstitch the bias tape with a 1/8” seam allowance.
