I cut my strips anywhere from 1 7/8" to 2 1/2"...it all depends what type of batting I am using and how thick it is. Cut the strips a little wider, too, if you want a wider finished binding. The general rule is to cut the strips about six times the width of the finished binding that you want. This is for a double fold French binding. Remember to sew a 1/4" seam for a finished 1/4" binding...a 1/2" seam for a finished 1/2" binding...a 3/4" seam for a finished 3/4" binding...etc. I have evan made a 3" flange for a throw pillow with this binding method.