binding size question
 

When you speak of a 2-1/2" binding.....are you folding it in halft (making it 1-1/4") and then attaching it, which means you will once again be dividing it in half again....which means it will be about .62" each side front and back or are you just applying it without the initial folding in half and applying it with 1/4" seams both sides, ending up with about 1" front and 1" back. I was taught the first (folding it in half first) and maybe that is why I hate doing bindingings because it is hard to work with. Hoping someone will solve my dilemna since I have a quilt ready for binding almost and I dread doing that.

I use a 2 1/2 inch binding because I like a "stuffed" binding. After sewing the binding on to the quilt, when trimming the backing and batting, I leave a little extra to "fold" into the binding which makes it look full rather than flat. Sometimes I go with 2 1/4 inch for a DQ or mini quilt.

Yes, it is cut 2 1/2 inches, then folded once to 1 1/4 inches, then sewn on the front with 1/4 inch seam allowance, then fold over, stuff and hand sew to back. You shouldn't end up with an 1 inch on the front and one inch on the back.

I guess I'm really the oddball. I cut my binding 5" and sew it to the back with a 3/4" seam; bring to the front and use a decorative stitch to sew it on.

I like your idea and am going to borrow it, I hate hand sewing the binding as I never can hide my stitches and don't like them showing. My machine has many pretty stitches, wish I would have seen this idea before I bound my latest quilt. Another good reason to really enjoy this board, so many fantastic people willing to share their ideas.

Thanks

Great question - I always wondered too - most of mine are 2 1/4, keeping them the same allows me to join a variety of the leftovers with no problem when I want a scrappy binding to go on a special quilt.

I use 2.5" binding, and thought that was standard. After reading your comments, I may try 2 1/4". I also cheat and machine sew my binding on, so I may need to keep using 2.5".

I usually use 2 1/2" bindings since I attach mine by machine. On my miniatures I use a much thinner binding. Sometimes I look at the quilt and decide then what width to use.

I don't think there is a right or wrong, I personally use 2 1/4" for most quilts.

Thanks for bringing up the issue. I too have been confused about the differences in width and this discussion helped me alot.

I use 2 1/4" binding on my quilts. Smaller for doll quilts and small projects. I just cut some 4" bias binding for a tree skirt as I want it stuffed and puffy.