I normally cut my strips at 2.25" for a fuller look to the binding. I have never cut double fold binding smaller than 1.875". When you fold that in half and press, stitch to the quilt, you have to sliver trim a bit of the edges in order for it to fold back to the backing. I then hand sew it. You should get an approximately 1/4" in finished binding. The smaller the binding, the more precise your stitching must be. Good Luck !!!