The folded binding is what I understand is French binding.

The only time I heard of it was when my aunt was making pillow cases and she said that she did a French seam. She explained it, but that was SOME time ago. Sorry

From this site.... http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/083-uid.jsp ...

"French fold binding is cut wider -- usually 2" to 2 1/2" is standard. Then fold the pieced strips in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press. Then it is stitched to the quilt -- matching raw edges of binding with the raw edge of the quilt. Use a quarter inch seam. After stitching, turn binding to the back of the quilt and hand stitch. The folded edge is already finished and ready to stitch to the back of the quilt with no additional turning.

Using French fold binding -- either straight or bias -- will assure that even if the edge of the binding is wearing the inner parts of the quilt won't show because there is a second layer of binding behind the top layer. You won't have to replace French fold binding as often as the edge of the batting won't show."

I usually use 2-1/4 in. strips; fold/iron in half lengthwise; and sew as the ol' waistband method in Jr. High. Home Ec. LOL a looooooonnnnnggggggg time ago! LOL

Check out Eleanor Burns quilt in a day web site. She has a video section and one of them covers French fold binding. The only tricky part of this is the corners but once you get the how to down is is easy peasy. She does not call it French fold binding however it is just the binding she uses on all her quilts. If you have a Quilt in a day book it is also always in the back under finishing your quilt. She has lots of other videos in her Media theater section and they are all very informative and free.

The straight of grain refers to cutting the binding strips parallel to selvage edge instead of across the grain. This is good if you have some stretchy bias edges as the straight of grain has virtually no stretch at all, also you can cut some pretty long strips if you have enough yardage.

It's not new terminology. My mom (the queen of bias binding) always used French folding and always called it that. (ah...many moons ago!! not saying how many, but it's more than 50!)

Oh, you are so smart. I've been french binding for all my life at least since I was about 10 years old. Just thought I was just folding the bias over and stitching it closed. Wow! what a revelation!

A french seam is different. I've heard it described as "first you sew it wrong then you sew it right!" But what you do is - sew the seam (like the one on the pillowcase) WRONG sides together about 1/4 ". Then turn it so the right sides are together and sew it again about 3/8" being sure to encase the first seam. It gives a seam a nice finish without having to zigzag or serge. Often used on heirloom clothing.

I love it--sounds so sophisticated! I just called it binding! LOL

I've been binding like this all the time, didn't know it was French. My sister-in-law has a theory that if you stick the "French" in anything; cooking, sewing, beading, etc. it automatically becomes richer. I'm partial to American myself.

I with you Aunt Ria....been doing this for years and had no idea what it was called....mmmmmm learn something every day.