Originally Posted by Glassquilt
Originally Posted by dd
So why does cutting the same fabric on the bias make it last longer than on the straight of grain? I don't understand that one.
If the quilt lover wears a hole somewhere on the binding.....
Bias binding does not unravel if it frays - easier to darn. On the other hand straight binding would unravel and 'split' from one end to the other with little encouragement - would probably have to be replaced.
Another possibility, offered by a teacher in class in 1982, was that if a quilt was going to be seriously used (especially by a guy with chin hair (cut or uncut)) , make a double binding, but instead of folding the binding in half before attaching to quilt, cut it it in half (lengthwise) and stitch to quilt. That way if there is a hole that develops in binding, simply turn back the frayed the treads, and stitch in place (reverse applique) and the repaired hole will be almost invisible. In the 1800's, when most men had whiskers, women used to baste a "protector" onto the top of the quilt to save the original binding. At least that is what I was told. :wink: