I want to sew bias binding on a straight edge quilt. The border is a stripe and I decided that I had to use the same fabric for the binding and that it would look best cut on the bias. Question: How do I keep it from stretching? Any ideas?

Judy

PS I think you misunderstood my question. I know how to make the binding, my question is when you sew it, the bias tends to stretch. How do I prevent that?

Judy, I use this technique as well but round my corners. I'm not sure if you're applying it to a square corner quilt or not.

I use a method similar to the F&P post just a couple days ago and can look it up for you if you're not sure how to make continuous bias binding.

Once I have my giant strip, I fold it in half and press the full length. You'll have one finished edge and 2 raw edges together. I am very careful with the fabric at this point to maintain a consistent width. After I have about 2 lengths of the ironing board done and it is completely dry, I use a cereal box cut into a rectangle I can work with pretty easily and I gently fold it around the cardboard. When I apply it to the quilt, I unwind a workable amount off the card and keep the rest on the board with a long straight pin through the rows of binding. It works great. The first time or two takes a bit getting used to, but I love this method and always make A LOT of binding if I'm taking the time to do it.

I hope this helps. :D

Izy posted the link the other day. I had instructions from a JoAnns quilting book from quite a while ago, same technique.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/15334.page

Here is what I do to make bias binding and using bias binding.

First, I starch the fabric liberally then press until dry. The fabric is fairly stiff at this point. Then I cut my bias strips and sew them together.

Leaving the strip open, I starch again liberally, then fold in half wrong sides together and press until dry. The starch will stick the fabric in half and you won't need to worry while stitching it to your quilt. The fabric is stiff, will sew down easily to your quilt and help you form terrific mitered corners or glide around rounded corners.

I use the old fashioned liquid starch Sta-Flo. I usually mix this 50/50 with water and put into a spray bottle. If the sprayer gets plugged, I just run it under hot water for a bit and it's good as new.

Thank you, Crashnquilt. I'll try the starch method.

Judy