Thread: What size binding/bias tape for quilt?

I don't use bias strips for binding unless the quilt has curved edges. Straight-of-grain binding is easier to handle.

The Clover bias tape makers create two folded edges. For quilts, you generally want to bind with just one edge folded, which gives you the double layer of fabric at the quilt edge that wears better.

I have found that the width of the strip to cut depends greatly on the batting. For thin battings, I like 2.25" strips for binding. For thick battings, I like to cut 2.5" strips.

I actually do not like cutting continuous binding -- creates too many seams. I simply cut strips of fabric cross-grain (width-of-fabric, the usual method for cutting quilting strips) and sew them together on the machine. I'm sure there is another Youtube video that shows a very simple and easy method to do this, as that's how I learned to do it myself! I used to get confused and sew the strips together wrong, but the Youtube method shows how to do it very quickly, one strip after another. I did this last night for the binding on a baby quilt, and it took me at most 5 minutes to cut the strips and 5 minutes to sew the strips together (and press seams open, and trim seams).

Edit: It was hard for me to believe, but I have found that *not* ironing the strips in half works better! The binding rolls over the edge better, plus it saves time. It took me a long time to try this out, but I'm happy I finally did.

I do like the others, except I like a little wider binding. I usually cut at 2-3/4 inch, then fold in half.

Thanks again for all of this info!

I make 2.25 or 2.5 cut fabric for binding

I am curious to know. When you make your binding 2.5 inches, what size seam allowance do you use to attach the binding in order to have the binding full? If you use 1/4" it seems that the binding would not be full. 2.5" folded in half is 1.25". Then 1.25" - .25" seam = 1". Then when folded over the quilt it would be 1/2 " if it was folded equally. But it would only be filled by the 1/4" seam allowance.

Do you leave your batting/backing wider than quilt front? Take a bigger seam allowance?

I sew with about a 3/8" SA for 2.5 and the 1/4 for 2.25. No my quilts are the same size front and back and one thing that helps is around the edge baste them together along the edge before before binding. I even make a line and baste before cutting. Sure helps.