knlsmith

I agree. Most of the time it is too much of a pain in the behind to remember which way to lay the fabric for the angles. I always had at least one that didn't have the right side going the same way. I have done both ways, but mostly just go straight across.

I never notice any bulk and I don't enter quilt shows either. Family and friends could care less if it is an angle or not.

If I could figure out a trick to remember which way to lay the angles I might do it more often just for something different.

bearisgray

I think the question refers to how the seam goes/appears on the finished piece.

If one is doing angled joins:

If the binding fabric is cut on the "straight of grain" - then the "joining seam" ends would be cut on the bias (45 degree angle)

If the binding fabric is cut on a 45 degree angle, the "joining seam" ends would be cut on the straight of grain.

I don't know if the actual seam is "stronger" - but it does spread it out over a longer length - and it definitely makes the joined area less bulky and chunky looking.

But if one is down to the last little bit of fabric - one does what one has to do.

Attached is a drawing to try to illustrate what I mean. Pretend the blue lines of the graph paper are the way that the threads are woven.

cizzors

Ditto the dotto.

MadQuilter

When we have to join pieces to make the binding, regardless of the method, there will be 4 layers of fabric at the joint. When we choose to sew them straight across, all of these layers 4 on the front side of the quilt AND 4 on the back side of the quilt will fall on the same spot and will be bulkier than the diagonal joint. When we choose to sew them on the bias, there will still be the same number of fabric layers, but the joint on the front of the quilt will be offset from the joint on the back. It is now my preferred method.

ckcowl

not only does it reduce the bulk but it gives a smoother binding, and is stronger...if you stitch your strips straight across they can easily pull apart and your binding could come undone with any stress or normal wear.