Textile Glossary

Folded tape

Definition

A folded tape is a pre-folded tape that is folded along its center line so that it can be placed easily around a fabric edge and stitched in place. It may be a bias tape or binding tape with a pre-formed fold. The fold ensures that both sides are turned in evenly. This makes it practical for achieving clean, uniform edges.

Use in the textile industry

Folded tapes are used in garment manufacturing to finish or reinforce sleeve edges, necklines, waistband edges, and hems uniformly. They are also used in home textiles production — for example on bed linen, tablecloths, and curtains — where consistently clean seamed edges are required. The pre-formed fold line allows the tape to be processed with precision and reproducibility by machine, which increases production speed and reduces waste.

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Frequently asked question

A bias tape is cut at an angle to the fabric grain, which makes it stretchable and allows it to follow curves without necessarily being pre-folded. A folded tape, by contrast, already has pre-stamped or pre-pressed fold lines so that the turn-in allowances on both sides are defined and even. A bias tape can also be a folded tape if it is additionally equipped with fold lines; however, the two terms describe different properties of the same tape.

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