I better start this post with a disclaimer that this is no way a polished full tutorial. These instructions began as an add-on to my review of the In the Folds Peplum Top, demonstrating how I achieved a mitred v-neck using a bias facing that was not cut to pattern dimensions (ie, just one long strip). But as the review ended up being so long, I separated it into two posts, to save endless scrolling and allow easier access if you want to use this technique on another project.
If you want to know why I think it’s a good idea to cut your own strips of bias tape and apply them as you sew, check out my review. If you want to know how to do it, keep reading!
1. Leaving long ends and starting near the back-shoulder seam on right side, sew your bias facing around to approx. 10cm from v-neck on left side. (Note that this is a different technique for bias facing application than is called for in the pattern, which I’ll explain below.) Open your tape and lay evenly til it meets the V. Fold tape back until centre of folded edge meets CB seam exactly.
Clip where cut edge of bias tape meets V, and mark with a fabric marker where folded edge meets CB seam. Unfold tape, refold in half along already pressed line. Match clip to other side. You’ve just marked your sewing lines (you can draw these in if needed). I forgot to take a photo before I sewed this and my alignment is slightly off, just know that the tape should meet the centre of the V and CB seam perfectly.
2. Unfold tape, refold back to previous alignment so centre mark is on fold. Sew from clipped edge to centre mark and back to other clipped edge. Carefully trim, finger press edges and turn out with tool (eg chopstick). Press back in half along original foldline – the bias tape should naturally form a V-shape now.
3. You should have something that looks like this (though of course I’ve completed the seam here) – as you can see the bias facing and CB seam meet perfectly with the v-neck. Sew remainder of facing to garment. Complete as usual, seaming ends of tape together where they meet.

The bias tape application itself is very simple, far more than how many sewing patterns instruct. Just cut the tape to your desired dimensions (width = [opening seam allowance + finished facing width] x 2, can allow a little extra for stretching and the fold) and press in half. Align folded edges to opening cut edges, sew at given seam allowance, trim and notch (if needed – I trimmed to 3mm on this garment which doesn’t need notching!), understitch, flip and topstitch. Press.
I was lucky that the given bias tape width for the peplum top (just over 3cm) folded was just enough for a 1cm seam allowance and 6mm facing width (the perfect width IMO). I actually sewed it aligning my foot to the folded edge rather than paying too much attention to the cut edge, so the facing would be the same precise width.
I can’t find an exact tutorial of this method online (though I’m sure I learnt it somewhere!). So Sew Easy has a picture tutorial which is basically the same, though she doesn’t understitch (which would eliminate the need for pressing and pinning). And don’t forget to seam the tape at a 45 degree angle!
You don’t have to trust me that this method is quicker, easier and neater than fussing about with all those fiddly folds and probably burning your fingers on the iron in the process – try it out for yourself.
Brilliant! I am going to have to try this! Thank You!
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Glad it helped! Let me know how you get on
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This is a brilliant tutorial! Thank you! I’ve bookmarked it – I could never figure out how to get that V right with bias binding and would end up finishing one strip at the V and starting a new one but I like yours much better!
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I’m glad it helped! Sometimes I form a little pleat or tuck if I’m feeling lazy, but properly mitring it just looks so much better.
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Hi 😊 Just letting you know I tagged you in a blog today. Please feel zero pressure to participate! Hoping all is well as can be!
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Thank you 😘
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Looks great and seems much easier, thanks
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No worries, glad you found it helpful.
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*applause* it looks like if you left enough bias strip on each side of the “v”, respectively, you could make the “v” first, attach it, and only then sew on the entire rest of the bias facing. it would practically ensure a flat application. from there, clip and continue as per your instructions. i love it!
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Genius! This is how the pattern did it, but I’d still rather instructions to cut/sew yourself than a really long pattern piece. I’ll have to try your suggestion next time!
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This is so helpful! Thanks very much for the tutorial and review. I’ve printed and half-way assembled this pattern and was feeling a bit stumped by the binding… your method seems much better – less wasteful of fabric and less chance of the binding being too short.
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I’m glad you found it helpful! The binding piece is a bit perplexing – just too long and thin to accurately print, tape and cut out.
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Thank you 100 times, I am a quilter and trying to make to make the Simple Elegant Tee pattern for the life of me I could not figure out about this 2 pc bias V neck process, the pattern was not clear enough for me. But you nailed it thank you so much !
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I’m very glad it helped!
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