I'm trying to remember, i need to bind my wallhanging, and i use a straight strip of fabric, fold in half and press, then sew 1/4 seam on front, and flip to back. I'm trying to remember if i start with a 2" strip, or a 2 1/2" strip???

All depends what size finished binding you want Barb. Heres a download giving you examples :D

***coyrighted material deleted***

Oh thank you Izy...i guess i thought i needed a little extra width for the puffiness of the batting? But maybe not.

Barb, you stitch the relavant distance from the edge 1/4" = 1/4" AND you can trim your batting and backing slightly larger than your top to give more 'puff' to your binding too, but it can get abit bulky at the corners though :D

Barb, it's 2-1/2. I use a 2-3/4 if I want it wider.

I know your gonna love me....I use 2 1/4" .....yep right smack in the middle of what you thought...:-) .....Okay I have used all three...but like the look of the 2 1/4 the most.....you might try a small sampler and see which you prefer....good luck....:-)

I was taught by quilt teacher to always use 21/4 also.
Guess its what ever you prefer.
Gale

I use 2 1/4", too. It's big enough to cover the stitches in the back without being too tight around the seam (edge of the quilt). This is my standard. My binding usually matches the outer border, too. If I were using a constasting binding, I'd probably try it wider, but maybe not. I'm in this little pieces and thin strip mood lately. The smaller the piece and the thinner the strip, the happier I am. Go figure... :?

I always cut 2 1/2" strips, that way I have enough to flip over to the back and slip stitch in place.

Here's what works for me....I cut 2 1/2" strips then fold in half....sew the binding on the front with a 3/8" seam, fold to the back and hand stitch.
Using a 3/8" seam gives me about the same width of binding on each side of the quilt.

I like wider bindings on my quilts, usually .625", so I cut mine at 3", but I know that's not the norm. Here's the way I learned to figure it for double fold bindings:

1. Take the width you want your finished binding to be (for instance, ½")
2. Multiply that number by two (1") (for front and back)
3. Add ¼" to that number (1 ¼") (for the seam allowance on the front, there is none on the back)
4. Multiply the new number by two (2 ½") (for the folding)

or the quick way:
Multiply the finished width by four and add a half inch for the seam allowance. Works every time! :wink:

I cut mine at 2 1/2"- when I'm done, I unfold the pressed areas and iron it flat. Then it goes to the scrap bin for future use. :)

I'm a 2 1/2" er myself. Some days I can't imagine having one bit less. Perhaps it's like pie crust in the beginning you need a lot to get the job done and as you get better and better you don't need so much? :wink:

If you use 2 1/4" can you machine sew instead of hand sew the back?

I use 2 1/2" also. I find it easier to cut than 2 1/4. And then also I add the extra to the scrap bin