I use 21/2.my leftover binding strips are pressed back open and cut into squares for a scrap quilt.

Thanks for this information. It seems that I have been trimming my quilt/binding seam allowance too narrow. That explains why I am getting a much smaller binding showing on the front. I will remember to not trim so close next time and to make my binding 3" instead of 2.5". Again thanks for the tip.

Hmmmm, interesting, What is a "pillowcase edge"?

I cut my bindings 2 3/4 inches on the straight of grain.
No reason to use bias unless you are going around curves.

I say use whatever width you want. I decide what I want depending on the quilt I am doing.

I like to use 2-1/2 width folded in half.

i cut mine 2 1/2 too.

I use 2 1/4 for most bindings. I have to increase to 2 1/2 when I use thicker batting. There are many ways and thicknesses depending on what you want the quilt to look like.

I cut my bindings 2 1/2". I like a little extra on the back.

For quilts I cut 3", for wall hangings 2 1/2.

My decision always varies with the quilt.

I cut my binding 2.5", fold in half, and use a 3/8" seam.

I always cut 2-3/4" W.O.F., fold in half, press, stitch with a 3/8" seam allowance when I sew it onto the quilt top. I give a gentle even pull, as I sew it and I always go around curves at the corners, lays very nice.

I use 2 1/2 in. It shows "just enough".

I prefer to bring the backing around to the front and stitch it down. It seems like it is neater to me.

I must be living on the moon. I always do 4 " and folds them in half. I thought it was for wear. I well I learned a lot tonight. Thanks.

You place the quilt front and the quilt back right sides together and sew all around leaving an opening where you turn the quilt right side out. I do not leave an opening at the edge of the quilt for turning, but I make an opening at the location where my sleeve will cover the slit. I hand stitch the opening closed even though the sleeve will conceal it.

I hsve some quilts my grandmother made in the 1940's and one in the early sixty's. There is no binding at all. The top and bottom are both cut equally and then ironed in 1/4" and then slip stitched or something so they look very nice.

I have not attempted that and only use 2 1/2" binding. I have Lyme arthritis very badly and just cannot use the 2 1/4" as it is just too narrow for me and I cannot keep a hold of it while I try to sew.
Lynne Plotner-Pierce Surprise, AZ

I almost always cut mine 2". that way the binding on the front and back sides of the quilt are the same. Judges like it that way, and they alsonb like the binding to be full, meaning that the fabric and batting go all the way to the folded edge.

Your method is the same as my method. Since there are no "Quilt Police", I assume anything goes. I do like the double binding method the best, though.

The last few years I have bound over 100 quilts. I perfere to cut binding 2 1/4 inch. When I teach I suggest using
2 1/4 also. Several of the students that have used wider bindings really like the 2 1/4 inch once they try it.

Are you cutting your binding on the length of the fabric or width? I've wondered that because there is stretch to the fabric if you cut width and none if you cut length. Just me wondering???

That's my thought too, for the wear. I saw M'liss Rae Hawley (she has her own line of fabric and has written many books) do a trunk show and she said she always did bindings 3" bc it takes just a tiny bit more bite on the quilt. It made sense to me and that's why I use 3" for binding. The binding get the most wear on a quilt.

Now that we've established that preference & quilt design determine binding width, I'd like to know if you sew the binding by machine or by hand? I do it both ways depending on what use the quilt is meant for. I always sew the folded strip by machine on the first seam. If I'm going to hand finish it I sew it to the front first. If I'm going to machine finish I sew it to the back first & then use a decorative stitch on the front side. Makes it look better on the back.

I also used 21/4-21/2 depending on what I want the it to look like once finished.

I always sew the binding to the front of the quilt by machine, then turn to the back and hand stitch it in place.

Me too, May in Jersey

ME TOO, then double sew 1/4inch to edge on top then mitre corners and sew on back -------always by hand.
Lady at classes does SINGLE 2 inches and does not mitre corners but finishes each side at end ---------don't like this,always thoght that the most wear on quilt was the binding.

The binding gets the most wear. The best binding is cut on bias and folded in half, then sewn on. Next best is same but not on bias. Single is OK for very small quilts or wall hangings that do not get a lot of wear. It is OK to fold back to front but does not wear as well.

IMO corners that are not mitered are just not as attractive or finished looking. If I am going to spend a lot of time and money on a quilt, I want it too look it's best to the edge.

Kids or charity quilts I sew binding on back, turn to front and sew with decorative stitch. Others I always sew to front and blind stitch to back. Judges will look at binding for this as well as evenness of binding, same width front and back, binding full oif batting all the way to edge, and not wavy. Even if not making a quilt that will be judged, I try to practice this on all my quilts. The more I practice the better I get.

I like and use wider binding and have for years. I think it gives a lush look to the quilt. Of course, sometimes a narrow binding is just the thing. To me, the binding is part of the total design and should not follow a fixed formula for all quilts.