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.

I calculate 10 3 inch wide stripes joined together should make a very long pieces about 205 inches which will be enough as you need extra to turn corners and to finish off. I did this with straight seams I have no idea of the way with correct diagonal.

Would it be easier as you have not done a binding before to use a gripes fabric with the colours that match. You would need to be sure 18inches. Cut across fabric so not many joins.

2" folded in half = 1", stitched to one side w/ 1/4" seam allowance leaves 3/4", folded over the back (taking into account the 1/4" on the front, 1/4" on the back- you will have a 1/4" seam allowance on each side ...you need at least 1/2" more (or 2 1/2" strips) in order to get a 1/2" on each side. ... that seems awful wide for such a small quilt- but some people do seem to like the look of wide bindings (personal choice I guess) but do understand it will be much narrower with your current measurements

What is a gripes fabric? I could not locate a definition. Thanks

When you join binding strips with a straight seam, you end up with 12 layers of fabric (in addition to the bulk of your quilt) at every join. This makes for a lumpy binding. When you join with a diagonal it spreads this bulk over a larger area so that it doesn't make a lump. That said -- If you use 3" binding you will lose 3" with every joining and will never get enough binding out of one FQ. You would be better off buying a half yard (6 strips) or 5/8 yard (7 strips). This will make for less joinings. After you cut off the selvedges and join the strips together you would end up with maybe 230" of binding (6 strips). Also, I have never made binding to end up at 1/2", but in order to get good mitered corners with that width, I think you would have to sew the binding on with maybe a 3/8" - 1/2" seam instead of 1/4". Good luck :o)