I cut mine 2.5" wide and press it in half. The past 4 wallhanging quilt tops that I have done I sewed binding to front and then "hand" sewed to back. WHAT A DIFFERENCE this made in the finished binding. All other tops I have sewed binding to back, turned to front and then stitched them down by machine. No matter how hard I tried the edges seem to be "Wavy" (at least a little bit) But not when I sewed down by hand. I am now a convert. Hope I am still saying that when I do a large top!!!!!