Binding - Which way do you prefer to cut it?
 

Which way do you prefer to cut your binding strips? and why?

Lengthwise - (parallel to selvage)?
Crosswise - (width of fabric)?
True bias?
Somewhat bias?

I prefer bias because I get very nice bindings with it (If I do say so myself).

It molds over the raw edges of the quilt sandwich so nicely and the corners behave better (for me, anyway).

I do baste the raw edges together before attaching the strips to the quilt instead of pressing the binding in half. I use a long zig-zag stitch close to the edge that gets covered when the binding is attached.

Which do you prefer?

We could also go into rotary cutter,scissor, and/or tearing and how wide to make the bindings discussions - but that can go on another thread!

I cut the length of the fabric if it is long enough. I knew nothing when I started, so I cut at 1 1/2 inches. I still do this even now.

Crosswise if it's a rectangular quilt. I like to have a little give when I apply the binding. Length of fabric does not have any give.

Since I stopped ironing my binding in half, I find it does not matter which way I cut it, so I do what works easiest based on the print, or other cutting need I have.

Before that change, I had much better luck using true bias.

i do the same as tartan

I like to do lengthwise if I can get longer strips that way, just because I don't like the joins.

I never have done a bias binding, I should try it sometime.

I cut mine at 2-1/2", partially because I often make scrappy bindings out of leftover strips, and partially because that's what my big Shape Cut ruler size is. (Lazy. I'm lazy!)

I almost always do a true bias binding. I also almost always do a striped bias binding, the only time I don't is if I can't find a suitable stripe. I use Shelley Rodgers method, http://piraterodgers.com/tutorials/cbt/index.htm
The only time I use straight of grain binding is for mini quilts, whether it's crosswise or lengthwise depends on how big the piece of fabric is.
And I never press my binding in half before I sew it to the quilt; saves time and my bindings are easier to sew as well as looking better.

Cari

This is how I do it also.

I love to do binding and love bias for it. it depends on the project I am working on. The fabric plays a big roll in which way I choose.

Using a stripe means cutting on bias sometimes.
Curves = bias all the time.
If the fabric has a pattern I want to repeat in the binding, I will cut on length or across.

So it really depends on the look you are going for and what your fabric is showing you what it can do.

I just started using Sharon Shambers method with washable school glue and love the way my bindings turn out.