I'm one of those crazy ones who loves doing the binding.....
I cut 2 1/2", double fold, sew the raw edge to the front with a 1/4" seam, mitering the corners......turn to the back and hand sew..I also love to have the extra on the back..I think that the bit of wider binding at the back does indeed look better. And yes, I always cut on the cross grain also...I agree that unless you have a curve to sew, no need to use up all of that extra yardages cutting on the bias....