I remember reading that bias bindings last longer because there are many threads taking wear instead of just one. However, on straight quilts, I always do straight, double-fold, hand sewn bindings with mitered corners.

Whichever you want is find. I personally feel that bias binding is stronger, will last longer. I prefer bias on all my quilts, just because I can stitch it on with no puckers.

wow everyone has been so helpful :)
Thanks

I read somewhere that the availability of commercially made bias tape in the 1930s led to the popularity of scalloped-edge quilts. Then, when quilting "died out, almost!" everyone in the 19702 just though binding had to be bias. Harriet Hargraves put me straight--not to be punny!

The cross grain of fabric has more give than the straight grain so bias binding is easier to apply on the cross grain side. For me that equals less hassel trying to get it on with no puckers or pleats.

Me too. It does wear better on much used/washed quilts.

I use straight-grain French fold binding routinely unless I'm doing a curve somewhere on the binding. You need the give of bias if you are manipulating the fabric around a curve, otherwise, it's really easier and more economical to just cut the binding on the straight grain.

yes, that is what I heard also.

I use straight binding on straight edges of quilts, and bias when my border has curves. I cut strips 2 1/4" press in half lengthwise. Put raw edges to raw edge of quilt and stitch to the right side of the quilt, then hand finish on the back.

DITTO

I am a new quilter, I go to the store and by bias tape. Some day maybe I will make my own. right now that pkg stuff is fine for me. :lol:

They are not always.I do a lot on the straight grain as it saves on fabric and cost. The bias strips are easier to manipulate and stay smooth around curves.

Me too. I do have a quilt that has straight edge binding and it is wearing pretty fast.
Robin in TX

I only cut bias when there are curves on the edge or there is a great striped fabric that I want to go at an angle.

Bias binding is used on curved and also for more durability.That is what one of my books said. However I think next time I might to straight grain instead. Happy sewing..

The binding will last much longer since the bias threads on the outside folded edge will withstand more friction and ware without breaking down. Threads on the straight of the grain will not hold up to the friction and ware as well. In addition the bias will give and lay flatter when mitering the corners.

Yes there are two differences between straight of grain binding and bias binding. The bias cut has stretch, straight of grain does not. Bias cut is used when you are binding irregular cuts, curves etc. Straight of grain is used on straight edges. There is a method to cut "Continuous" bias binding, so that you don't have to join them end to end. This works really slick, and is a real time saver ! I'm sure you have noticed that when you make half squares, and some are on the bias, that these squares stretch out of shape, compared to the straight of grain squares, which don't have any give at all. To rip out seams that are on the bias, rip every 4 or 5 stitches on one side, and then on the other side, just pull the thread, and it won't pull the fabric off of grain. Double fold binding, sewn on in a certain way, with the flip, flop and fold method, automatically comes with the mitered corners, and is a no brainer. Hope this has been helpful. If you have any questions, just call, and I'll fill you in. Greetings from Auntie B, from thawing and almost spring like Saskatchewan. P.S. I have daylillies up 3" on the south side of the house, WTH, that has to be a new record for the middle of March !!!!!!!!!!!!

i have only cut on the bias once and that was for a quilt with round edges , otherwise i use the straight of grain

Thanks for asking this question. I am wanting to do curves, so i have bookmarked so i can remember the lovely answers above. Thanks everyone for your comments it helps so many of us. :thumbup:

I have problems with my coordination, so I always use bias. I know it will always lay flat for me. I work too hard on my quilts to let them finish with a 'twisted' binding. Just my way of making it easy on myself. I usually end up with extra binding cut, so I always cut my bindings at 2.25" and save them to put around scrappy quilts. No waste. Works for me.

i never cut mine at bias

I cut mine on the stright. I don't do curves!! lol
simple quilter.

I always make mine on the bias. Way I was taught and am told the edges don't fray.

This may have already been said but I don't have the time to read all the posts so excuse if this is a duplicate answer. Binding cut on the straight of the grain has one or two threads
running down the outside fold. Thus, those couple of threads wear out. Look at antique or vintage quilts (most of which did not use bias binding) and you can see the binding still intact on the front and the back but usually very worn and shredded on the very edge. Bias binding distributes the threads on the edge of the binding, the threads are at an oblique angle to the cut edge, thus they don't wear out as evenly. Picture a piece of striped fabric cut so that it's on the grain with the stripes parallel to the cut edges, fold it in half. See how one stripe is running down the fold? That one thread (or stripe) is getting all the wear. Now, picture that striped fabric cut on the bias. See how the stripes are slanted from one cut edge to the other? Fold the edges together. See how no one stripe is getting all the wear? That's the wear issue. If the quilt is a wallhanging or something that is not going to get a lot of wear and washing, a straight of the grain binding will be fine.
The other issue is that bias binding is easier to use on curved edges, like scallops, because it has more give.
The other time I like to use bias binding is if I am using a striped fabric and I want the candy cane stripe look.

They do not have to be cut on the bias. The ONLY reason to cut a binding on the bias is when the edges are curved. Bias, as many believe, does not last longer than straight-of-grain. If the sides are staight, cut fabric on the straight-of-the-grain. Or down the length of the fabric. There are some times that you might want to emphasis the pattern and cut it on the bias when the quilt's edges are straight.

However, when only the corners are curved, but the sides are straight, I have pieced bias strips onto a straight strip in order to turn the corners without rippling or pulling. This takes some measuring though.

Sandy

I never have, nor many of my quilt circle.

Bias bindings have traditionally been used because the threads do not run parallel with the edge of the quilt. The wear is distributed among more threads and the binding will last longer. Bias is easier to use and gives better corners. Def a must if you are doing scalloped or curved borders or edges ie. Double Wedding Ring etc :)

I have ALWAYS done bias binding because I learned how to quilt in 1973 and that is what all the instructions said to do. I like a nice tight, trim binding and have gotten many compliments on my bindings from judges in quilt shows.