Bias Tape? Anyone?

Yeah, you read that right. I am going to show you how. I have Christmas presents to finish and I'd rather not spend money on tools so necessity is the mother of invention (or so I hear).

So herrreee we go and I hope you don't mind this MILE long post with a lot of pictures!

First you need 1/2 a yard of fabric.

Wash, dry and iron it (if you must). 

I'm not saying you have to or anything, 

because honestly, I don't do it all the time. 

I ironed it before I got started using steam...

does that count??

I use a Clover erasable marker to mark my fabrics. I like it because it goes away when it gets wet. The only draw back for me it is that 

the ink is very light.

Okay in person not so much in pictures, hence my red arrows:)

You should be cutting off a triangle here people!

Measure twice--Cut once right?

Here is the first tool that I don't have and made myself--

a Bias Tape Ruler.

First use masking tape to mark the first section. For 1/2" double fold bias tape you need and original strip width of 1 7/8". I used the masking tape to make the first section 1 7/8" solid tape. Then take the ruler and line it up with the edge of the fabric and tape again at your marker pen line on the fabric. Repeat on the whole ruler.

It is hard to explain here but I will try:

Take the ruler's first taped section and line it up perpendicularly to the angled edge of the fabric and mark with pen and each side of the ruler.

THEN

Now if that was not confusing enough for you...
there's more...

Fold the fabric right sides together-it's wonky but then off set the lines as shown here:

Pin the long edges together getting the lines you drew on as close as you can. Don't worry if they are off a hair (ignore the little OCD monster if you can).

It is going to look CRAY when you are done but sew it up anyhow.

Lay one side as flat as you can and start cutting following the lines, starting at the offset bit (remember).

Now it is time to make the strip in to finished bias tape.

 Then you feed the end of the tape through the pinned section folding then edges to the middle and iron as you go. Then you fold the tape in half again and feed/iron it again.

This is a slightly tedious process. I'm not going to lie.

However, I do not have a Simplicity Bias Tape Maker, so this is what I came up with to fold and iron with out burning the CRAPLES out of my fingertips. I would love to have one but I just don't (donations?? Haha)

I was very proud of myself for coming up with this! It works beautifully.