Binding Calculation
 

I need to make binding for a 42 x 45 quilt and just want to run the math by you. I am making this binding out of fat quarters as I couldn't find what I wanted in yardage. So I figured 184" long of binding. (42*2)+(45*2)+10 = 184. I added the extra 10" for corners, errors, seams etc. Is that enough?

I want the finished binding to be about 1/2" on each side of the quilt. I also would like it to be double layered. So do I need 2" strips?

Now if I'm using 2" strips and cutting them from fat quarters, do I cut them so that I have 21" long strips or 18" long strips? If I am cutting them 21" long at 2" wide, I should get 10 strips for a total of 210", which should be plenty?

I'm sorry but I'm all new to this and still trying to figure it out!

Thanks for your patience and help!! You guys are fantastic!

This might help:

http://www.quiltersparadiseesc.com/C...Calculator.php

If you Google, you'll find quite a few of these on the 'Net.

Width is a personal taste issue. Most people start with strips wider than 2". Keep in mind the thickness of the quilt will take up a bit of your width. I'd suggest cutting a 2" strip of some other fabric to test drive the width.

I'm not sure but take into account the extra you will need to piece the strips together.

If you want French fold binding (folded in half, both raw edges sewn to the raw edge of the quilt) to finish that wide you'll need to cut strips at least 3 inches wide. I would play with some scraps to see how wide you need to cut it.

Almost forgot! The wider you cut the binding the more length you'll need to make up for each diagonal seam.

Your binding if double folded should b 2 1/4-2 1/2" depending on the width you want for the final project. Individual strips should be attached to each other so you end up with a long piece after attaching end to end. Most people recommend mitered joins at each connection for less bulk, but I've seen a few who use straight seams . All joins are prissed open for less bulk. Hope this helps.
Mary

One other suggestion: Since you're cutting from fat quarters you will have LOTS of seams in your binding. After you get your strips all cut, sewn and pressed, but BEFORE you start stitching it on, lay the quilt out on a table and lay the binding all the way around the edges to make sure you don't wind up with seams at the corners.

If you want 1/2" FINISHED width on each side, you will need at least 3" binding.

If it were me, I would cut 12 lengths (long lengthwise of fat quarters), by 2 1/4". (I prefer not to have too much bulk in the binding.)

Here's an excellent tutorial by Jenny Doan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vCWpxBRs20

Good luck on your project!

That's the figure I had in mind as well. I think your calculations didn't include the seam allowance.