This is the width I make too, except I don't starch. It seems to make a wide enough binding for everything I make. I tried a wider binding once but didn't like it very much.

I cut mine 2.5" wide and press it in half. The past 4 wallhanging quilt tops that I have done I sewed binding to front and then "hand" sewed to back. WHAT A DIFFERENCE this made in the finished binding. All other tops I have sewed binding to back, turned to front and then stitched them down by machine. No matter how hard I tried the edges seem to be "Wavy" (at least a little bit) But not when I sewed down by hand. I am now a convert. Hope I am still saying that when I do a large top!!!!!

I prefer to cut the binding 2.5", press in half and use spray starch. I then wind the binding around a piece of cardboard and unwind as I sew it on the quilt with my walking foot. I sew a 1/4" seam, miter my corners and hand stitch the binding to the back.

I also iron and starch binding strip. I would add to trim the edge of your quilt to square up the sides and corners. I sew a narrow, but open zig zag stitch about 2,5.this gives the edge of the quilt a nice even edge to bind. it also gives a guide to follow to stay outside of that zig zag stitch, Also use a walking foot when applying the binding,makes it much easier to keep all fabrics in line.

How does this work? Using simple math, there is a quarter inch in the seam, a quarter inch back up and a quarter inch on the back. Doubled would be 1.5 inches. I use 1.75 inches folded in half and it works for me... giving a small quarter inch binding. If I used 2.5 inches, I would have all this material left over... What do you do with it? Or what am I doing wrong?

sabrina, go to sharon shambers tutorial on binding. its the best. just google sharon shamber binding. good luck

here's susan's pdf: http://www.sharonschamber.com/free%2...ng%20Class.pdf

When I do the math , I add an extra 1/8 - 1/4 inch to cover my sewing line, add for bulk, etc.

I'm like you, I cut 3-1/2" strips - just can't seem to make it work with anything smaller. I do fold & press before I sew bunding on. Seems to go on better for me. I also hand stitch binding to back and it makes a nice crease for stitching.