bias cut

sewing and design

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "bias cut" refers to cutting something diagonally to the grain of the fabric. This technique is commonly used in sewing and design to create garments that drape and cling to the body in a fluid manner. When fabric is cut on the bias, it allows for greater stretch and a softer fall, which can result in more flattering silhouettes, particularly for dresses and skirts.12

A related concept is "bias binding," which is a strip of fabric cut on the bias and used to finish or decorate clothing edges. This method provides a neat and flexible finish, especially around curves.3

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

dress
The early 20th century
The bias cut of material, a mode introduced in the 1920s by the French couturiere Madeleine Vionnet, was widely adopted in the 1930s and was very effective with the longer skirts, creating a figure-hugging style which then flared out at the hemline. Brassieres were redesigned to…
Read More
The bias cut of material, a mode introduced in the 1920s by the French couturiere Madeleine Vionnet, was widely adopted in the 1930s and was very effective with the longer skirts, creating a figure-hugging style which then flared out at the hemline. Brassieres were redesigned to…
Read More