Thanks everyone! Yes, I had heard that the bias wears longer. I do use the tube method though I have also cut bias strips & sewn them together. Part of the reason for the question is I have a table topper that I want to bind in a particular fabric but I don't have very much of it left; certainly not enough to do it on the bias. Going to give the straight binding a try with this one.

It would seem to me that it would take the same number of square inches for 10 feet of 2 inch wide bias on either the straight of grain or on the bias.

I do agree that if one has a limited length, that one could get by with fewer joining seams.

I have made over 100 quilts and have never used a bias binding. I cut all of mine on cross grain, selvage to selvage. The biggest number of my quilts have the corners rounded, my favorite. I pull my bindings tight as I machine sew them on and they turn out perfect. Sorry quilt police, I won't let you inside my house, so stay away.

I've used both. But as a rule use regular cross cut binding. But it's got some curves going I use the bias. I've always heard that it lasts longer.

I always used bias bindings until about a year ago when I changed to straight of grain unless doing as everyone else says...curves. It's certainly easier and faster to cut. It doesn't show any different to me and sure takes a lot less fabric.

I'm with the majority here - straight unless curves are involved

Sorry, but your post sounds very quilt police-like. You state yourself you have NEVER used a bias binding and allude you never intend to then in the same paragraph tell the quilt police to stay away. LOL. I bet if you tried it you may just like working with it on a curved corner. You can't make an effective argument for or against anything that you have never tried and not sound like quilt police. ;) Remember QP are those that think their way is the only way and your statement on cross grain binding certainly sounds that way.

I do both cross grain and bias. I think cross grain is easier to prepare as far as cutting and sewing the stips together. In my experience of working with both, I think bias binding lays on a quilt nicer (hence the points in a judged show), handles better, definitely works easier around curves and suspect also makes a nicer inside miter (as in scalloped borders, of which I have never tried).

Bias hugs the quilt tighter, looks tons better in directional fabric (checks or stripes) and definitely wears longer. I also feel like it uses more fabric. I do love working with it but I tend to make cross grain binding more often, simply because it is easier to prepare and by the time I get to the binding, if the quilt is not being entered in a show and does not have curved edges, I will go cross grain.

Unless my edge is scalloped or curved I do the straight grain binding. I cut, sew together strips, press seams open and sew it one with out ironing it in half. Find that it just works so much better for me. But maybe try out a few different ways on smaller quilts, table runners, place mats, etc. until you find the one that works the best for you. There is nothing wrong with bias binding, just a bit more work I think. JMHO