cutting the binding
 

The last quilt that I finished, I cut the binding on the bias and it puckered. How do You cut the binding?

I just cut the wof. and sew on that way. I do sew the ends together on an angle. can't remember what it is called, most of the time. mine usually come out better that way than on the bias.

I do both it just depends on how I feel at the time. Have never had bias pucker. Was it on a true 45 angle? Was it puckering all along the binding, or just one section. Do you use a walking foot? Hmm I'd like to know why it would pucker too.

First thought. Was the binding cut on a true bias? Did you press binding before attaching?
I cut width of fabric unless the design in the binding fabric is directional. If I am following a pattern on the strip then I might cut the length wize. If I am following a distinct pattern (or fussy cutting) the binding strip then I will follow the design and not the grain of the fabric. This can contribute an attractive touch to the edge of the quilt.

I don't like to cut bias so I only use it for curves (scallops) but I have had it pucker on really tight" innies".

Did you pin it prior to sewing it to the quilt? If you didn't, that could have allowed it to stretch - and pucker. I always pin it - maybe only in 3 or 4 places, but just enough to keep it from stretching.

the trick to using unpuckering bias is to cut it wide enough to double over, match the raw edges, fold every few inches and pin because the problem comes in letting one side 'creep'... which is easy to do... so by folding STRAIGHT over and matching every few inches the two point straight across from one another will stay together...why bother? Because the bias threads that enclose the raw edge of the quilt sandwich criss cross each other over and over the whole length of each side, they wear far longer...we have all seen old quilts with the binding seams still in place, but with the edge completely worn away so the quilt layers, batting, and binding layers are all visible. that is because when that ONE thread that ran the length of the side began to wear, there was nothing to stop it going completely away. This edge receives the most wear and tear of any part of a quilt...you (and all your hard work) and the quilt both deserve the extra hassle of working with bias... many people think that bias is more expensive but it is NOT... the square inches of bias fabric are exactly the same as the square inches used of crossgrain fabric... it's just that you will have more seams... how much trouble is that really? 10 little seams instead of 3 or 4? try the pin technique and keep the edges even...see if you don't love the way it looks after a couple of practices...

I only make binding on the bias when it is scalloped or curved. If the quilt edges are straight I make the binding based on WOF cuts.

I make my binding the width of the fabric, not on the bias. I have never had luck with bias stuff.

I've been told the only time you need to cut it on the bias is if you are doing curves.

I cut mine on the WOF. I have a friend who cuts hers on the length of fabric and says that she NEVER has a problem with wavy binding.

I also use WOF for my bindings. I tried bias one time on a baby quilt and didn't like the number of seams it added.

I put my binding on yesterday & used the glue basting method. I had no puckering. I set the glue with the iron.I'm quite pleased. Here's a link to the thread that I learned from.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ue-t29275.html

It wa on a true 45 angle and it didn't all pucker, just sometimes it was more fabric on the binding and less on the quilt.

I did try for the first time to cut the binding WOF and pressed it first and it did come out wonderful. It was a long table runner with not curved edges. Thank you all for the information.

I only cut on the bias when there are alot of curves to deal with

I always make my own bias binding. I cut 2 1/2", seam on the diagonal, fold in half, press, sew to the front and hand stitch to the back. I sew to the front using my walking foot and am very careful not to pull on it while stitching just let my machine feed it. It's funny, but to me I think the bias binding is very forgiving when I am hand stitching. I have never had a pucker.