What kind of bias tape should I use in making this gown and where would I buy it?

Question

I'm making my daughter's costume. The main part of the gown is crepe-backed satin. It also calls for bias tape in several spots -- white (matching the satin) around the bottom and blue as an accent color around the front of the gown.

On the right: http://www.simplicity.com/assets/9902/9902.jpg

So here's my dilemma. I went to Joann and the bias tape that they had was a stiff, cottony, broadclothy material (think men's buttondown shirt) which I think would be totally awful and wrong against crepe-backed satin. It strains every essence of my being to even consider using it. The other binding they had was a satin blanket binding, but now that I think about it, I'm not sure that that is bias cut. And it's about 3 times the width that I need.

I'm not sure where else to look that would have different types of bias tape or whether it's something that's even made. Maybe I could make my own but I don't want to get into buying yardage of blue satin if I don't have to.

To clarify, the blue bias tape is actually being used as the visible trim on the gown. If it were on the inside, I wouldn't hesitate at all, but that blue trim you see on the gown is actually the bias tape.

Answer 1

If you make your own, you can make it out of the fabric of your choice. This site will tell you how to do this.
http://www.savvyseams.com/techniques/biastape.php

Answer 2

That cottony bias tape is what it is. There is no other option, unless you make your own. While I appreciate that you don't like the idea of it on a satin fabric (I'm quite picky myself), you need to remember that this is only a costume. There is a time for perfection, and a time for making due with what you have. Purchase the bias tape and save yourself the grief of having to make it yourself. (And no, the blanket binding won't work. It isn't cut on the bias, so it won't curve around the neckline properly.)

Answer 3

You could alter the blanket binding to fit. Or make your own: http://www.fiber-images.com/Free_Things/How_Tos/how-to_make_bias_tape.htm

But I've used the regular bias tape to finish this costume: http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=4914. The fabric I used was similar to the pink version and the bias tape along the bottom didn't detract from the look at all. And it added some stability that the lighter fabric didn't have which keeps the points there sharp.

Answer 4

I think making your own is the way to go. You'd only need a fraction of a yard for each color.
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