Bias Binding--a question (honestly!)
 

Soooo...I have had a less than productive day. I need to bind a quilt that has a very gentle zigzag edge on two sides. After trying a piece of straight cut binding, I decided it really needed bias binding--something that I rarely use. I went to my Complete Quilter's Guide and read their directions. I then read over notes I had from a recent Guild demo and proceeded to make my 'tube'.

Cut the piece into two triangles--check.
Sew them together on the short sides---check.
Draw lines...ummm...Draw more lines because the first ones were not on the bias but on the straight--okay finally...check. (lunch break)
Line up the two edges and offset by one row....aaand try again....one more time now...yessss!!! and sew--check.
Cut and cut and cut some more (I needed 420 inches)and then press in half and press...you get the idea..but check.

Okay time to sew it on the front of the quilt and it is going on beautifully. Even the gentle zigzag looks perfect--except for the colour....hmmmm....after 2 1/2 sides I realized that I had not auditioned the binding fabric against all the other fabrics it would touch and I really needed a plain creme to set off all the blocks. Time to unsew....sigh...

Okay finally, folks (if you've stuck with me so far) here is my question--Can anyone tell me what the benefit is in going thru all those contortionistic steps to get one continuous piece of binding,rather than just draw the lines, cut the strips and sew them together? I dread going thru this whole thing again tomorrow...

I've never figured that out either, I want to hear the answer. It has always seemed to me to be a lot more confusing than cutting strips.

I cut long strips, then sew them together. I do end up with a fairly large leftover triangle, but that's because I like to have as few seams as possible in the binding.

I never quite understood that process you did. It seemed like more bother than it was worth to try it.

I cut bias this way and join the strips. Fast and easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7iTP1MSsY

I don't do anything elaborate. I fold the fabric once in such a way that I can cut strips the way I normally do -- which is simply to use a ruler or June Tailor shape cut mat, cutting perpendicular to the fold. I join the strips at the sewing machine. It's not necessary to cut thread between joins until you are done. There are some YouTube videos that show how to do this. It's pretty fast, but you do have to pay attention so you do each join correctly. Worst part is ironing the joins open and cutting off dog ears, but even this is easy if you have used a large enough piece of fabric so your strips are long; only a few joins are needed. I usually cut bias strips from a yard of fabric.

I've done it both ways, and I prefer to just cut strips and sew them together. There is more waste than with the two triangle-tube method, but fewer seams, and less hassle (IMO).

I have never attempted the tube method because I found it confusing also, but I have used Bonnie Hunter's method a few times with great results. It doesn't need to be scary...you are just cutting strips on an angle, then sewing together like you would cross cut binding. If you are off a little in the angle, it will still work. :)

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2011/...-bindings.html

I have only tried the tube bias binding method once, and that was enough. When I use bias binding I just cut my strips and then sew them together. I rather not have any of the extra stress involved with this tube method.

Using this method (the only one that has ever made sense to me) http://piraterodgers.com/tutorials/cbt/cbt-webpage.pdf will make me over 420" of 2 1/2" bias binding from 28" WOF. I can now make this binding in about an hour including pressing. The pictures and instructions are clear and easy to follow and there is no wasted fabric. This PDF is nine pages but if you don't want to read all of her rationale for using this method, the main instructions are on pages 4-7. Try it, you'll like it.

I have used the tube method and then just put the tube over my ironing board and twisted it around as I cut with a seam guide. I have also tried marking it beforehand. After doing both, my preferred, cueing favorite, and most accurate way is to just cut and seam them together. Easy-peasy compared to the tube method.

I have a bias ruler, it has a point on the end that you line up with your fabric and cut, cut, cut. Then I trim the ends and sew them on an angle...It worked for me.

I think the advantage is that you don't have to sew a bunch of seams. The beauty of quilting is that you can do it which ever way works best for you.

The tube method is supposed to be less wasteful. I've done it both ways. My first quilt (avatar) was a McCall's pattern & it gave a paper pattern for the tube that was so super easy to follow, but trying to do it without the paper pattern is more aggravating to me than the wasted fabric I tend to have when I just sew end to end.

I've used the tube method a few times and always found it counter-intuitive but less seams to join. The last time I needed bias I just cut the strips and joined them, I found it to be faster and I don't really notice the seams anyway.

I've done it both ways, but usually stick with sewing strips together.

I did it the tube method and found I made the tube too big for the amount I needed. Since then used the diagonal cut and join until I get to my length.

I found the tube method more bother than it was worse, yes you save fabric, but too time consuming and annoying, I just cut the traditional way.

I love the tube method. It uses every bit of fabric in the square/rectangle without having to sew a jillion tiny seams. I'd much rather sew 2 long seams and draw a few lines and cut by hand than sew a whole bunch of 2.xx" seams.

However, if I'm using a striped fabric for binding I do cut and sew a bunch of 2.xx" seams because I don't want seams going more than one direction and I want to be able to control it more.

i am also a fan of "the tubey method" for all the reasons mentioned.
i also like the fact that i can make so much binding with less effort and in less time.

i have never bothered to draw all those stupid lines.
it takes too long.
it's impossible to get the lines straight and perfectly parallel.
cutting with scissors, it's unlikely i'll get a nice, clean cut from one end to the other.
it is completely unnecessary.

once the offset tube is made, i use my rotary ruler and cutter to make the loooooooong bias snake.
although i have done it using my 24" ruler, i find it easier to keep the tube in position using either a 12" or 18" ruler.
less fiddling with the tube means getting done sooner, even though i use the shorter ruler.

I usually starch the section of fabric, just use rulers and start cutting strips as long as possible. I am not a big fan of binding but sometimes it just what the quilt needs!

I love the tube method and use it all the time. It took me a while to get the "hang" of it but I think it makes a stronger binding.

Thanks for this link. I always do the tube method and this will be what I try next.

I checked out your link, and this sounds like to way to go to me. I have read the other way where you match up ends but stagger...ugh! Hate even thinking about trying that way. Your link seems so straightforward, to me anyway.

Okay, here's an update. Thank you Shelbie! I printed the PDF and followed it to the point of drawing the lines. I then did as PatriceJ mentioned. I drew a couple of partial lines (just an inch or so) on either end of the tube and that was so that I could line the two sides up more precisely. I sewed the seam to make the tube and then used my rotary cutter and a smaller cutting board on my ironing board to cut the spiral. 1 1/2 hours later, the binding is pressed and ready to attach to my quilt!

I think the problems I experienced the first time came from over-handling the fabric--and not knowing my straight of grain from my bias (duh!)

Thanks everyone for you comments. I don't know if this is a technique I will use often, but at least I know I can do it if I have to!

Oh my, I have such an easier way to make bias binding! you fold it in a certain way and cut it, you then need to sew the ends together which you might not like but it's so much easier than any other method I've seen. I've posted this in a previous post. Type bias binding and you will find it hopefully! I will try to find it for you again.

Thank you sooo much for this link. Much easier than another one I've tried.

Donna, I sure hope you can find your way for us. I "searched" Bias and your name, but nothing was found! I'm sue many of us would like to see it!

Kitsie do an advanced search with 'bias binding' in the key words box and DonnaPBradshaw in the exact name box.

Honestly, if you are doing the tube thingy, do it the was PatriceJ suggested. It worked a treat!

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccal...uous_bias?bc=c
I hope this link works! It is my favorite way to make continuous bias binding. Her instructions are so detailed and there is a chart to tell you the size fabric square needed for the width and length of binding you need. I have the video bookmarked and just play it and follow each step.

I'm a fan of the tube method, better than sewing all those seams together. (for me! ) To each his own?

I did that, Ginger and got a "sorry, no matches"! And I have done it the tube way with no problem. Was just interested in seeing Donna's way. But thanks!

Here ya go. Hope this works. http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t=bias+binding

I've done it both ways but prefer just cutting strips on the bias and sewing them together.

What you are doing is my go-to method of making bias binding. If you do this regularly it will become second nature.

Years ago on Alex Anderson's show there was a guest who cut the binding on the serger after removing the needles. Works like a charm, is perfect and takes no time at all.

I have come up with only one very minor reason to use the tube method for binding, you have to try it once.

I did and didn't think it very much fun and I like to do binding. The tutorials using the folded method is an interesting idea and I will have to give it a try. TFS them.
peace

Coincidentally I just found that one on YouTube!! And yes, it is a very good way. Thank you!

I'm with you, Gale. When I first learned to quilt, we were instructed to always use a bias binding. I came across this method in a magazine and cut it out and had it laminated. It worked great for several years until it dawned onto me that it didn't make sense to use the bias binding on straight edged quilts, so haven't done one like this in quite some time. It's nice that there are as many ways of doing things as there are quilters..something for everyone?

OMG that is genius. I'll have to try it.

I use bias binding on everything. Well maybe not mini quilts or things like mug rugs but for all big quilts. If I miter, I find that bias binding makes it easier. But usually I use rounded corners to avoid mitering and to avoid worrying about seams in the corners.

I agree, to an extent. But when I make bias binding, I fold a yard in half so that I have a large triangle, then cut in half on the fold. Then, using tailor's chalk or a soapstone marker to mark, I measure the width of the binding I want for a project and mark the cutting line, using the cutting mat and ruler to cut the binding strips, then join the strips. I join the strips together using this method (See: The Ultimate Quilt Binding Tutorial MSQC). This works wonderfully for either type of binding. Just remember, binding cut on the bias will stretch very easily. I read somewhere (don't remember where, but it was probably on this forum, that bias binding is more durable, but I really do not know from experience whether that is the case. Check out the tutorial, it's super! Jeanette

Edit: I have no financial or business connection whatsoever with MSOC. I just found this method works very well for me. It might not work as well for everyone, but it worked for me.