Originally Posted by
Iceblossom
Straight grain binding whether long- or cross-grain is just fine. It is definitely faster, easier and you don't need to make as much excess binding.
In general I make bias binding and prefer the french double fold method. I machine sew on front and hand sew the binding down on the back. The bias is mostly helpful when you have curves and such, but I like the way it makes striped fabric march around the quilt. I also feel the diagonal seams are stronger/have less problems and are less noticeable but you can still do that with straight grain binding.
I'm with you, Iceblossom. I have done a lot of straight-grain binding, but I feel the bias is more durable. I have made some dish drying mats that get washed a lot, and the straight-grain binding has almost completely worn off in a year's time. I figure, with all the time and effort I put into making a quilt, I want the binding to last as long as possible.
Leslie