I will appologize for this question, but, I am new and I need to know. I read or saw how to make your own quilt binding. The article said to start of with 42" square of fabric....OK, here is the stupid question....Can I use a smaller square of fabric? I am making a baby quilt when top is finished should be (big doubt) 46"x46"....The fabric that I would like to use is a hair less than 36" x 44. Could I use a 36" square to make the binding? I think I would cut the binding 2" wide. Thanks for the help. I am enjoying doing this but boy is it driving me crazy. You girls would have had it cut out, and top sewn, layered basted and quilted in a night. I took me all day to just to figure out how to cut it out. Last night I started to sew it and I ran into a few (many) problem areas....I finally walked away and hopefully tonight I will be able to fix it. Thank-you all...Cindy

Never apologize for asking a question! We all started out as newbies and we've all made mistakes. The trick is to not get discouraged. You can make binding out of any sized square of fabric. You have to figure how much binding you need, then determine what sized square to start with. You can Google "making bias binding". Here's a good tutorial.
http://quilting.about.com/od/binding...g_strips_4.htm

You were smart to walk away when you did. I find that there are times when nothing goes right. So I put it down and come back to it later and things just seem to go better.

Unless you are doing curves on the outside of your quilt you can do a straight binding, just cut strips from the width of the fabric, that is waht I do even with queen size quilts.

If you are planning on making curves then you would need a bias binding, but I would not think that is a project for a beginner. (It might be easy, but I do not know. Scared to try it myself, but I will, someday!) I LOVE a curved border.

I agree about the straight binding. I'd start with 5 strips the width of the fabric. Personally, I like my binding a little wider. I've used 2-1/4, but prefer 2-1/2.

I agree also about the straight binding for just a baby quilt...I like the 2 1/2 inch width as well. Good luck! You can do it ;)

I prefer a bias cut on all my quilt bindings. I just seam to find it easier to work with. But then again I am a glutton for punishment. :roll:

Don't give up. I started quilting ablmost 3 yrs ago and have made alot of mistakes but have not let that stop me from learning the proper way to make me more successful and my quilting more enjoyable. Read alot from this group and you will learn alot as I have. I also joined a sewing group in my town and some really nice ladies have helped me alot too. I made 2 quilts before I realized I should be squaring up my blocks. Just lucky that my blocks were fairly accurate. I invested in a few rulers that has helped make my cutting more accurate and that way at least I am starting out on the right foot...lol Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions here.

I've attached a link that shows you how much binding that you would need for either straight or bais bindings. Hope this helps out.

I like to use a striped fabric to make bias binding. It gives the binding a candy-cane effect that is great for kid quilts.

Also, I usually use a 3" strip to make my binding 3/8" instead of 1/4". I like the look of a little extra width.

Thank you for posting the binding chart for us :D:D:D

I enjoy making a bias binding. The seams are all finished and staggered when you sew it on and it is suppose to be stronger. I like prairie points

Don't apologize for asking a question! That's what we are here for! I have only made bias binding once, it was for some placemats that had a curved edge. Everything else has been straight binding, cut selvage to selvage. I also prefer the 2 1/2 inch width. I would suggest looking up some other ways to do the binding, and find the one you are most comfortable with. There really is no "right" or "wrong" way to do it, just as long as it works for you!
Also, there is a definite learning curve to quilting, and I don't think any one of us knows everything! It's just like anything else, practice makes better and better (I don't think it's made anyone perfect! lol)
We are always here for you, keep asking questions in your quilting journey! It's how we learn!

Ok, sorry for this post being so long!! :oops:

Also, welcome to the board!! Glad to have you with us!

This has all been such wonderful information. (and so quick too) I think that since it is my first quilt I am going to go with the straight binding and this chart is excellent....I know that there will be a lot of mistakes in this quilt...but I am learning, and learning from my mistakes....If it doesn't turn out, I'll keep it here at my house and try again with something different....The grandsons always want to stay at Yaya's house, so now they will have a quilt to cover in...even though it might be a bit "baby" they'll keep warm...lol And I have decided to try hand quilting it....Machine quilting scares the bejebers out of me and I only have a little everyday run of the mill sewing machine...I think trying to machine quilt it would be too much... Thank you again I appreciate all this wonderful information and I like the idea of striped material for candy cane effect...I'll definately give that a whirl.... Cindy

Don't be scared of the run of the mill sewing machine. That's basically what I've used for 15 yrs. Just don't try FMQ off the bat, use your walking foot and go slow so you get the feel of it. Just make a sandwich and practice with your walking foot. I bet if you try SITD or outline you wouldn't find that as hard as you thought!!!

Please don't get me wrong, if I have the time handquilting is my preferred method. Very relaxing!!

Good Luck!!!! :thumbup:

Hi CindySue!
You are very smart to walk away for awhile. I can't tell you how many things I should have walked away from for a bit until I learned that things seem to look better when I took a break. Clears the mind!!
Good luck and ask away!! We do it all the time.
Hugs, Sue

I like straight binding and use 205 inch width.