Is there a formula for this?
 

I was wondering if there was a formula regarding how wide to cut a binding strip if you wanted "x" amount to show on the quilt or whatever. For example, if I wanted the binding to show 1/4 " on the top, how wide to I cut the strip? I usually cut my binding strips 2 1/2" wide so I can use leftovers later, but sometimes this is just too wide. Thanks bunches for any help!

I normally cut my strips at 2.25" for a fuller look to the binding. I have never cut double fold binding smaller than 1.875". When you fold that in half and press, stitch to the quilt, you have to sliver trim a bit of the edges in order for it to fold back to the backing. I then hand sew it. You should get an approximately 1/4" in finished binding. The smaller the binding, the more precise your stitching must be. Good Luck !!!

Well, yes, sort of a formula, but not one you can follow exactly. If you place the raw edge of your folded binding against the raw edge of the quilt, stitch your preferred binding width above that, fold it down and around the quilt to the exact stitching line on the other side, then you have a double fold of fabric going up, down, and up again - so your fabric would need to be 6 times as wide as your binding width. Where this breaks down is that you also need to account for the thickness of your quilt top, so you add something for that. And you probably want the binding to come up a little higher on the side where you hand stitch it down, so you want to account for that. And if you want a wider binding (such as 1/2") you may decide not to start it out even with the quilt edge (I do .5" binding on larger quilts, and start the binding edge 1/4" above the quilt edge), so you have to allow for that. And although everyone says to make your binding full, some people make it a lot tighter than others. So... a formula can get you started, but you need to figure out what is right for you and your quilt.

I always cut my binding 2 1/4 inches wide and use a walking foot to stitch to the front of the quilt and hand stitch the back with a ladder stitch, the same stitch I use to applique.

i, too, have always cut my binding fabric at 2 1/4". early on, i read that the quilt police, oops i mean show judges, like the binding to be full and that width seems to always work out right.

I found your phrasing interesting. If you want the binding to show 1/4" on the top, then all you have to do is make sure you sew it on 1/4" from the raw edge. Once you fold it to the back, you'll only have 1/4" showing on the front. It won't really matter how wide you originally cut it.

If you want it to show 1/4" on both the front and the back, that's a different story. :)

Thanks to all who responded to my query! From the responses, I have determined that, really, there is no exact formula. However, all answers made me feel like I was on the right path. thanks bunches