new at quilting....
 

Hi I am beginning my very 1st. quilt ever. I am cutting all the blocks out. No problem with that. Now it says cut 2 1/2 inch wide strips for binding. My question is do I need to add the 1/4 inch seam allowance or is that already included in the 2 1/2 inch width??? Thanks for your help......So excited to get this started.

It is added!

Hello and welcome from Spring, Texas. I think I would cut them at 2 1/2". You could cut a small scrap that size and see how it looks and go from there.

Two things I never do, I never cut the back or the binding until the quilt top is done.

It's included!

I would wait until the quilt top is completed, sandwich made, quilt quilted and trimmed before cutting the binding. but the 2 1/2" is the width to cut the binding- and for all of your blocks the seam allowance was probably already included- you should cut everything to the size the cutting chart says to cut. I never cut out a whole quilt at once- but that's just me- but borders, backing and binding are definitely left until needed- your top may not be the same size as the one in the pattern & if your borders are already cut to size they may not fit- best to adjust and cut as you need them.

Its already in there - 99.7 percent of the time, you should follow the directions, don't question the instructions. As for binding, some folks like a binding at 2.25 because it goes on tighter, but as a new quilter, you will have more success at 2.5. And you understand that those 2.5 strips are cut the full WOF (width of fabric, ie the 44/45 inches). So you end up with a 2.5 by WOF strip. Okay?

I know you've got your answer on the 2 1/2" sashing. So I will advise to check on the web for any revisions or updates to the pattern (it happens more times than you can imagine).

I'm so excited for you! Let us know what pattern you're making and we can help you along the way.

Welcome from Oregon. There are some very experienced quilters on this site. Please ask for any help you need and don't forget to share your progress with us. Love to hear that new people are continuing to get excited about quilting.