Best way to make bias binding?
 

I want to make bias binding, I really do, but I have a few issues. 1 is that it seems like it wastes a lot of fabric and 2 is that when I do it the triangles way I seem to have a lot of seams. What is my problem? Ok, overly broad question with too much opportunity, lol. What am I doing wrong with the triangles made into a square technique? Thank you kind quilters!

This is a simple method to making the bias binding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12VNavQleCM&t=83s

Yes, that's the one I (and many others) use. Works well and is easy.

I love bias striped binding. I've tried the tube, which works. I used this one last week and I liked it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wOU8FR3S4o You have to fold carefully or the width of the strips will not be the same (I guess that was what went wrong). It wasn't a problem for me, as I was making pot holders and it didn't need to be that exact. I'll remember next time, though. I wasn't sure how much fabric to use, as the tutorial doesn't give you any indication.

I bought a bias ruler and it works great. Bias is really a pain and I don't like cutting it or sewing it together. I usually use straight double binding. One thing I have noticed is my quilts with bias binding seems to have wear on the bias edges and the quilts that have double straight binding have hardly any wear on the binding. The comparisons are on the kids utility quilts I have made and they are washed and dried a lot. I won't put bias binding on quilts that are used a lot.

Here's a link to how I cut bias binding: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Iq4...zIRerXHp8/view It's the handout that I give my students when I teach the Beginning Binding class. We fold the fabric, cut the strips with a rotary cutter, then sew the ends together.

I did the triangle method you're talking about ...once. That is pretty time consuming! ...drawing all those lines and cutting with scissors.

I use the continuous method with the triangles. I don't worry about the weird seams but I think you only end up with one or two of those so if you really don't like them you can just cut them out and rejoin the strips after you've done all the strip cutting. The ones I mean are where you actually get two seams meeting in a sort of Y configuration.

Okay, so that intrigues me. I printed it out and am going to do it, just to see. Apparently I have too much time on my hands!!

I am so happy to see this as it makes it ok for me to use straight binding, lol, because the vast majority say that the reason to use bias binding is that it wears better than straight binding. You are my newest hero.

I read this and thought, hmmm, why does Pirate Rogers sound so familiar? No, its not the jolly roger... Oh! It's a literary (cenematic?) allusion to the Dread Pirate Roberts in The Princess Bride. Very cool. Just like you. :)

When I need bias binding I use my Accuquilt Go cutter--you fold fabric in a way similar to the rectangle into a triangle, etc method and send it through then sew ends together. Accuquilt has a video on their website on how to do this.

Which die? The 2 1/2" strip one?

I have never had good luck with the tube method (continuous bias binding) of making bias binding. I will cut a square of fabric then fold it into a triangle then cut into strips perpendicular to my fold. I usually save the first triangle cut that would result in a very short length of binding to put into stash for some other use.

I then sew my strips together at a 45 degree angle. The one strip that hits the corner of the square (the coveted "center cut" which will be my longest strip) I will either line up my cut so it hits dead center or recut the ends so they are at the appropriate angle. It is much quicker for me than marking the cut lines, lining them up and sewing into a tube. A 24" square yields a lot of bias binding cut at 2 1/4" width. I can do a queen size quilt with enough binding left over to do a generous size lap/throw quilt.

Regarding the difference between bias and straight of grain here is an excellent blog that explains exactly why a bias binding wears better than straight of grain or cross grain binding (provided you are using a good quality fabric). I don't always use bias binding but when I do, it has been my experience that bias binding gives a nicer finished look and is always cooperative, in addition to wearing better. I usually reserve bias for show quilts, quilts that have curved edges or rounded corners or to take advantage of a print or design on the fabric (like stripes, checks or plaids). Scroll to the center of the page where the blogger does some myth busting when it comes to bias vs. on grain.
https://www.sewmucheasier.com/all-ab...as-or-straight

That’s been my go-to for years, tool Great instructions.

I agree with Cari in Oly and Cindi. Shelley Rodgers' method is unique as she uses the entire WOF to make her continuous tube binding so there is no waste or any fabric to cut off. 25.5" of fabric will make over 400 inches of 2.5" double fold binding. Her method is much easier than many I've seen and the one that I always use and I've bound dozens of quilts.

Yes, the 2 1/2" strip die. You do end up with some little pieces that I usually just pitch or make into leaders--but my bias binding is so much neater than the other methods I've been taught.

Jenny Doan has a youtube video on making bias binding. I did it but it didn't turn out right. It was my error though. I plan to try it again because it uses very little fabric. I don't have much need for bias binding now that I think of it. But I did for a scalloped border I made awhile ago.