What is your standard binding width?
 

Im curious .. to those who machine sew to front/back, pull to other side and stitch in the ditch- what size binding do you use and like... 2 1/4, 2 1/2, 2 ??

I use 2 1/2 to 3 inches. I always have binding to go over, so I like enough so I don't have to really pull.

Same here. I think it adds a finishing touch and enhances the quilt.

I mostly use 2 1/4 inch but it can depend on the batting. I always make a small sample to see what works , to leave enough but not too much when I do the stitch in the ditch.

I always use 2 1/2".

I like 2 1/4"

2 - 1/2 works best for me :)

I cut my binding 2.5 inches and sew it on with a 3/8ths inch seam. I always hand stitch to the back because I like the way it looks.

I always use 2 1/2" binding.

Same here!

I use 2 1/2" and sew to front and hand sew to back, unless I am making something small like a mug rug then I cut it down to 1 1/2- 2", auditioning a small piece of each first to see what I think looks best

I cut my bindings 2 1/2" for a cotton quilt and 3" for a flannel as they are a little thicker and need the extra width. I sew my bindings on the back, bring to the front and top stitch (sometimes I use a fancy sttich). This has worked well for me.

2 1/4" if hand sewing the back ... 2 1/4- 2 1/2" if doing it all by machine. This is double fold binding for a quilt. For a small project it would be single fold and smaller.

ali

I use 2 1/2 inch cut for binding. Sew to front and fold to back for hand sewing OR sew to back and fold to front to do a decorative stitch.

I use 2 1/2", folded in half, machine sewn on the front with 1/4" seam, and hand stitched (I use the ladder stitch) to the back. Never had a problem covering the stitch line. I use the ladder stitch because it's easy, fast, and nearly invisible.

I cut mine 2 1/4"

I found a new way of machine sewing your binding. You use two different fabrics. Usually one matches the back or the outer border and the other is a different color altogether. You cut the same fabric as the back or border, 1 1/2" wide and sew it end to end to be long enough for the quilt and then you cut the different color (usually something bright or fancy) 2" wide and sew it also end to end. Then you sew them together, RST. Then you fold them WST and iron. You make sure the 1 1/2" is laying against the back when you sew it on. The colorful one is facing you when you sew it to the back. Then when you turn it to the front, you have the back (or border) fabric facing you with the colorful fabric sticking out 1/4". Then you sew between the two fabrics, on the sew line. It looks wonderful.

I start with a 2-1/2" strip, then fold in half, sew to the back and fold to the front, then machine sew down using decorative stitches (machine stitching is much stronger for a quilt that will be used)

I use 2 1/4

yikes! i always use 1 1/2" and sew 1/4' seam in front, then pull it to the back and hand-stitch it down. (i usually sew it on the front all the way around the quilt, then use my ruler and rotary cutter to cut all excess batting and backing off, then pull it to the back, fold it down, baste it all the way around the quilt, then handstitch it, and remove the basting stitches once i finish sewing it down.)

2 1/4" when using separate binding - sew to the back and pull to the front, machine stitch down. BUT my usual way is to cut the backing 1" bigger than the front - after sandwiched and quilted use rotary cutter and ruler to make backing 1" larger. Fold over just past quilt top, bring to front and sew down. I know this is not the preferred way to do it, but all of my grandmother's are done this way and it works for me.

I prefer 2", although I often avoid the whole subject by birthing my quilts. Early on, I was told to use 2 1/2" . Then a professional quilter said that the big shows judge on having the machine seam and the hand seam directly opposite each other. I don't always even try to do that, but 2" makes it easier to do. It is less work to do a larger binding, even with the clips I always use.

2 1/2 but I started out with 3 in.

I usually do 2 1/2 but my last quilt I did 2 1/4 and liked that a lot.

I do 2 1/4. It is how i did my first one, and I am afraid if i change, i'll screw up when i am joining the ends and cut it too short! HAHA

I always use 2 1/2

I usually use 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 depending on how thick the quilt is. My current project has a flannel back, so i'm thinking I'll need the wider binding. I do always sew a 3/8 seam. I just like the bit of extra width.

I do the exact same thing as Scissor Queen!!! I trim the quilt to match the open side of the binding and with the 3/8 sewing line and 2.5 inch double folded binding it looks great. Glad to see someone else does it the same way. Unless you really hate to hand sew to the back, I think you will be much happier with the final look to hand sew instead of stitch in the ditch.

I always use 2.5 inches-works for me

Im not much for hand sewing so i machine stitch mine.. I was curious to know what widths you all use..

I use 2.5" as well.

At least 2 1/2" for me.

it depends on the width of the seam.

I prefer doing it as pull the backing around to the front, fold double and stitch, but if I do a separate binding I like it a little wider than my last one turned out using the double fold cut 2-1/2" and 1/4" seam, so next time I think I will cut it at least 2-3/4" or maybe even 3".

2 1/4" for me

2 1/4" for me as I prefer a tight narrow binding.

I use 2", but I never realized that most people use a larger width than that! I like a narrow binding. I machine stitch it to the front and hand stitch it on the back. I've never done a binding completely by machine, so I don't know if I would use a wider width then.

jcrow....your idea sounds great but I'm not quite sure on how to do it. Is there any chance that you could provide us with a tutorial? I think that would benefit a lot of us new quilters. Thanks in advance

I may be in the minority but I used 2.75 for my last quilt. I found it much easier to work with since I did it all on my machine.

I usually do 2 1/2 but decided to try 2 1/4 on a baby quilt I finished today. I like the way it turned out. I sew to the back and turn, machine sew on the front.