How narrow can you make the binding?
 

I have a baby quilt top that is 52 X 38. I want to make the backing and binding with the same fabric and I'm a little short. My backing fabric is 66 X 42 after removing the selvage. I figure 200 inches of binding, which will require 5 strips of fabric. If I cut 2.25" wide, I'll need 11.25 inches of fabric.

I generally leave at least 2" extra on all sides on the backing, but if I do, I'll only have 10" WOF of fabric left for the binding. (I'm going to quilt it myself.) I'm going to use Warm and Natural batting.

Can I get by with 2" for the binding? Should I just not leave as much extra on the on the backing? It's so perfect for the binding, or I would just use something else. It's an old Debbie Mumm fabric, so it's not available anymore.

bkay

I have made binding with just under 2" when I had to. Just don't stitch the binding on with too wide a seam. You could also consider a flanged binding - I've done this too.https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutori...ge-t77821.html. I have also had to scrape by with not so much backing. For me, it has all worked out, some how or other! Let us know what you decide and how it turns out.

With W&N, you can do 2". Or you can do a a flanged, or simply a two sided binding or consider piecing out some strips that are hidden in that double fold... Yeah, it's annoying but sometimes a 1" solid in a similar color that is pieced into the binding and hidden in the fold can be a life saver :) there are ways I know this!

Otherwise, do you have other fabrics you can piece into the binding? Say have 10" of your fabric, then (2) 2" strips of coordinating fabric, it doesn't seem like it adds that much length but it does, sometimes I do stuff like that just to connect the front of the quilt to the back.

Many ways to stretch just a bit more out of a piece!

You could also double fold the backing fabric to make a self binding.

I usually cut my double folded binding at 2 1/8, and sew with a quarter inch seam. It's narrow and full.

This may sound counter-intuitive at first, but if you leave 3 inches extra on the backing, then when you are done quilting, you will likely be able to get some strips wide enough to cut off and use as binding strips. so, instead of leaving 2 inches extra wide on the backing and then throwing out the 1.5 inches (or whatever) of scraps that are leftover, you could use that "waste" to your advantage. you would have fewer binding strips able to be cut and prepped ahead of time, but in the end, I think you would come out with enough....

Almost the same day when I was concerned about the amount of fabric I had left for the binding, I read this post by Tartan: https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutori...t-t303704.html . It worked out perfectly.

Yes indeed. That is the flange binding. They are pretty much the same. Works very nicely

Wow, thanks. That is perfect. I considered the flange binding, but didn't have the right color that would blend with both the top and binding. By hiding it inside, the color can be just "somewhere in the ballpark".

bkay