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.