I wanted to use up my scraps to make a multicolored binding for my quilt. Can I just cut the strips 6"x2.5" and sew my joining seams straight across... or should I join all the strips with diagonal seams? Or does it make a difference in the end?

Thanks!

I personally prefer the angled effect of the diagonal seam. It seems to flow better on the quilt.

I like the diagonal seams.

You can do it either way, but diagonal seams are usually preferred because they are less bulky.

I do mine on the diagonal because there is less bulk at the seams and they lay better.

I like the diagonal seams but I would cut the pieces and various lengths. That way when they come together at the end. if one is shorter or longer, it doesn't show because show of them are the same length.

Thank you ladies! I KNEW there had to be a reason why diagonal seams were promoted :) Maryb119- that is a great idea to stagger the strip sizes! I was wondering what kind of mess I was going to get myself into when it came to corners, and sewing in the final strip - and that should definitely help prevent that!

I think you will be happier with the diagonal seam, and you might want to use a little longer strip of fabric, as you will have loss from each join. And lots of work pressing etc when you put it together. And the chances of your ending up with a join right at the corner are , well, almost guaranteed.

Every time you butt a seam, by the time you double the binding (or half it) you have a thick layer right on top of each other. With small scrap pieces, you will have a noticeable ripple in the binding even if you press the seams open. If I were doing it, I would use longer pieces and sew them on the diagonal - that way the bulk is distributed.

At an angle thereby distributing bulk and making it easier for the second stitching. Be sure to use your walking foot to apply the first round.
Suzanne

I have a quilt with various red piano keys and it was suggested I used the leftover reds to make my binding. The individual that suggested has been quilting a long time and she suggested the diagonal seam for joining and then to press the seams open.

mltquilt

I would do the diagnol seams - to me it looks much nicer and there's less bulk. Would love to see a pic of your finished quilt whem completed.

I make scrappy bindings all the time. I cut my pieces about 12 inches long by 2 1/4 wide and join with an angled seam. That way the bulk of the seam is not all in the same spot.

Same here :lol:

six inches wouldn't give you enough to do diagonal. go ahead and do straight seams. Just watch your placement of the seams when you get to your corners.

I do mine this way as well. I make the pieces different lengths. I don't really measure, just use what I have. What are the odds that all the pieces would end up being the same? That way you don't have to worry. I have an empty paper towel roll that I wrap left over bindings from other quilts and just piece together until I have enough for a scrappy look.

Not only are the diagonal seams less bulky but they are more pleasing to the eye.

ali

I use the diaginal. The straight seams on the binding leave a lump on it, I don't like lumps...

You really need your pieces to be at least 10-12" in length to do a scrappy binding. Piece them on the diagonal and press the seams open, straight seams are too bulky. I make some of the pieces longer so that I won't have a seam at the corners.

When I'm doing scrappy binding, I prefer straight seams. I just think it looks better.

I have sewn straight across and the quilts hold up really well I have one that is 3 years old and many washes still hold tight! :)

Diagonal ...hides better and holds better

Scrappy binding for a scrappy quilt - what a concept! :thumbup:
Wish I had thought of it but I WILL "borrow" the idea. :lol:

I also us the Diagonal for piecing Binding are even Boarders
if needed and iron the seams open , for less bulk. :D

Here's a picture of one of my charity quilts and you can see the scrappy binding.

I have done quite a few scrappy quilts and used up the scraps for binding using a straight seam with no problems!

Another excellent tip I'll use from this amazing place.

if you do straight joining seams you will have quite a (lump) every few inches where the seam is...the diagonal seam distributes the seam along a longer area so you do not have a built up lump...so if you don't mind a hard lump every 4 1/2".....

I use diagonal seams for my bindings but I cut the strips longer. Have done this on several quilts and really like the effect.

I personally think the angles look cooler when making a scrappy binding.
But you can certainly do it either way.

I always do diagonal looks great and easy

I am newer to quilting and these ladies probably know better, but I just did a twin sized quilt with 8" strips for the binding, sewn straight to conserve fabric. I pressed the seams open and made one long strip for the binding. I must of got lucky because none of my seams ended up in corners. If I had more fabric I would have went with diagonal, but as it was I ended up with only 10" extra. After I washed it I did not notice any bulkiness.
Good Luck

I make pieced borders quite a lot. I don't cut then any specific length and make sure that seams don't fall at corners. I sometimes will have pieces as long as 18" to 24". Also as others have stated I like the 2 1/4" width because I like narrow bindings.

Either one is fine. I seem to always have a problem with diagonal ones. They never seem to look right. But, if I had a good teacher, maybe I would prefer that way because they look so much nicer.

I always have various amounts of binding left over from quilts so I have been collecting them in a bag and will use them someday for a scrappy binding

i have done a scrappy binding...scrappy on purpose. You know how you take longer strips ~ 3 inch wide by 45 (making up numbers) of 5 or 6 different fabrics, sewing them altogether, then cut them smaller, leaving strips w/ blocks 3 inch X 2 3/4 in

I then take the sections of 6 blocks and cut them on the bias and use it as binding. I did get a flat binding w/ the smaller pieces - I think it looks great, but then, I am biased!

You can do it both ways - and I'm only concerned about diagonal seams when I'm using all the same fabric for the bindings. The diagonal seams are not as visible as the vertical/horizontal seams, but if you're using multiple fabrics for the effect, it would seem you'd want them to be very visible.

I make scrappy binding a lot using various lengths with diagnal seams to prevent bulk. Personally, I really like the look on a scrap quilt with a solid colored border.

I want to be your charity! Love your quilt....

Go to the search field and then put in 'string piecing with adding machine tape. This tutee will probably help you do what you want. It's a great tip