Hi Flying_V_Goddess
How wide do you want your finished binding to be? I use double fold straight cut binding, so my rule of thumb is multiply finished width of binding by 6 plus 1/4" for easement. I've never worked with denim though :) so some of these other ladies will probably be able to give you better advise. Cheers, have been following your battle with the denim quilt and have been cheering from the sidelines, so would really love to see a pic when you win :)

In the past , using lighter weight fabrics, I have cut the strips 2 1/2 inches and doubled the srip --right sides out and attached it to the quilt. With denim I am not sure if you would want to double it as it might be too thick.

I, too, have always used 2 1/2 inch wide strip for binding, maybe for the denim it could be a little wider, 3 inches????

That is a good idea--allowing for the extra thickness of the denim. Straight cut --not bias.

maybe instead of attaching the binding in the usual way, because of thickness why not just lay it on fold to other side and use a blanket stich or zigzag it on. Or any other fancy stitch

Well, I am of no help on that bc most of my creations are figured out as I go....and I'm a newbie to the big stuff...
BUT....As for jeans....I get mine at a thrift store for 50 cents a pair! usually, i don't find them in my size, I buy for sewing and stuff...
hth

Boy around here they sure aren't .50 a pair, they want 7 and 8 dollars for them and they get them free. I am saving old ones to make a jean quilt for my grandson, but it will be awhile til I get enough.

Just off the top of my head, I think the fabric strips were 1.25" before they were folded into binding.

What exactly is straight cut binding?

I want the binding to be the same width as my seam allowance...which is 5/16" (1/16" shy of being 1/4"). So according to your formula and if I'm doing my math right I'd have to cut strips that are... 2 1/8"?

I really don't want to use the zig zag stitch...just a matter of preference and how much thread it will take to cover 280 inches of raw edges.

Straight cut binding is cut on the straight grain instead of the bias, has less give than bias :)

Probably, just look for grain in fabric, I've not worked with denim before but you might want to allow yourself alittle more than 2 1/8 width Because of the thickness of it. Also 5/16 is more than 1/4. Did you mean 3/16? I think that what the other ladies suggested, 2 1/2 would prob be about right. All the best with it and keep us posted :)

Keep in mind that this is a little thicker than an ordinary quilt. You may want to consider 2 3/4 instead if 2 1/2. sometimes its really tight using 2 1/2 on a regular quilt.

Have you tried measuring in from the edge and putting light dots or marks there then connecting the dots using the yardstick?

I'm going to butt in here a minute, FVG, have you thought about cutting another set (of the same width binding) to match what you have, seam them in the middle with a scant seam, and have the seam meet the edge of your quilt?

Is that clear as mud? PM me if you don't understand what I'm saying. I should be back about 11 PM and if I can still move I'll try to check in.

When I've made quilts with thicker than usual batting or fabrics and wanted a certain look, I've often done the seaming of two pieces of binding. It take a little more pinning to get the seam to stay exactly on the edge of the quilt, but it is better looking than having to change everything again.

My own personal rule of thumb for measuring for binding is to add 1/4 inch for fabrics and batting, then add that to the finish look I want on each side of the quilt edge.

Good luck, I have to get up and get showered to leave for my nephews house, but I'll check back tomorrow afternoon to see what you've decided...

FVG if you try to sew both sides of the binding on at the same time I can garuntee you it won't come out right, parts will be missed and parts will be in too far, it just doesn't work.

I didn't put a binding on my denim quilt, it had a rag edge. I would use a bright cotton for the binding, or a denim looking cotton if you want it to match.

...none of that made sense. Okay, what would be the best method to sew on binding for someone who has never done it before? Something that's easy and not quite so time consuming, but still gets the job done. I only have until next Tuesday to get this quilt done.

Fold your binding strip in half wrong sides together. Pin binding to one side of the quilt. I like to pin it to the right side and once you sew that flip it over to the other side. Pin it to the other side and hand sew it down. Its very difficult when machine stitching to sew both sides at the same time and have it come out looking good and have the binding in the exact place that it needs to be. Thats why one side is done by machine and one side is done by hand. I am at work now, and don't have time to research it and find you a link, but if you google on sewing quilt binding, you can probably find some more help and probably pictures too. Good luck. I am so proud of you for sticking to it! Give yourself a big pat on the back from all of us!

What did you do to finish it? We need web cam to show exactly how we do some things, eh?

Sharon

FVG the stitches won't really show all that much if you can find thread that closely matches the binding. the trick is to run the needle under the binding when moving along the edge. That way the stitches are hidden. but just in case they peek a little using matching thread will still hide them.

Can't wait to see them. You are areal trooper for hanging in there and not giving up!

Be sure to let us see the fireworks too. After all your hard work, I'm sure there will be a HUGE celebration in your honor as well as Nick's :lol:

so let's see it!

before you come home from the movie go get your self some batteries. i sure would love to see your quilt

Without using a rotary cutter it is a little more time consuming but it can be done. Try measuring in 2.5" (or whatever width you need) from a straight edge of the fabric & marking with a pencil or washable marker. Make a dotted line (as close or far apart as you need so that you can cut a straight line). Do this for only about 12" & then cut along your dotted line. Once you have 12" x 2.5" cut your can fold it over & line it up with the straight edge going up the the length or width of material (whichever you're doing). Use the original "measured" 12" x 2.5" (now folded over the next area to be cut) as your guideline to cut a further 12" x 2.5" to make a continuing piece. Open that piece up & line it up with your edge & your next piece to cut (using the growing length will be 24" x 2.5" & so on until you get the total strips of length you need. The trick is keeping your edges lined up & not cutting into your original material that your are using as a guideline. For real long lengths a pin here or there may help. That was hard to discribe...hope it's not confusing!!