I use a 2 1/2" strip, ironed and folded in half, right sides out. Since I have hand problems, I like to sew the entire binding on with my machine using my walking foot. First I square up the quilt, then I sew the binding on the back of the quilt, sewing 1/3 the distance from the edge. Then I iron the binding out, fold over the sew it on the front of my quilt with my machine. If you use the same color binding as the backing, the thread color will blend perfectly. It so fast and looks pretty darn good. Some one at a workshop told me that if her thread shows in spots where she doesn't want it, she colors in the thread with a magic marker. I have never done that but its good to know in case I need to.