I also use 2 1/4 inch cut width and 3/8 inch seam and it works well for me. Sometimes, I have to change a bit because of a different batting. i try it out on a scrap piece of batting and binding so I can be sure of what I am doing. If your pattern calls for that extra width binding it must be for a different design feature. I can see it working beautifully, but, would be a bit different to trim and finish so the binding was full of batting.