gmcsewer

I sometimes use double binding if the quilt bat is thicker and stuff the binding with small strips of binding as well to make it a lusher look to match the puffiness of the quilt.

juliasb

I use a great deal of straight of grain bindings. I find they work just fine. They wear as good on regular quilt. IF a quilt has a lot of curves, scallops or has prairie points I prefer a bias binding. The bias binding has a smoother look especially with the prairie points.

Iceblossom

For those that don't use/like bias, what are the things you don't like? I know it is extra steps and more work in some ways, and some people feel it is fabric wasteful (and I will say I always end up with waaaay too much -- but that's better than too little).

When I first started quilting and all through the first 10 or so years I used straight grain binding and typically didn't miter my corners either. I decided that while I happily flout all sorts of quilt police rules, I decided that I could use show quilt entry rules for my bindings. Even when I'm using straight grain fabric, I'm mitering and doing the disappearing final seam. Plus I do the sew down from the front and flip and hand stitch on the back as it gives me the finish I desire which I've never been able to do by machine.

Making the binding is as much a part of the process to me as prewashing the fabrics in the first place. I can say after you've done it a few dozen or hundred times, it isn't all that bad...

I have plenty of fabric and generally use a width of fabric squared, so I'm generally starting with about a 1.5 yard piece. I look at my binding as one last chance to add color/fabric/movement and as mentioned before, I often use stripes. I cut my binding a bit wider than most folks too -- 3". I typically use a pretty fluffy batting and just like the little bit wider.

It don't have many positives to say about Covid and mask making -- but I finally used up all my left over quilt bindings! Had to trim them down a bit (1.5-2 is a good width, 2.5-3 too big for a nice tie and gets heavy).

eparys

Iceblossom - Here is my logic on why I use Bias Binding infrequently. If I use the "long strip" method (cutting the full width at a 45 degree angle) there is a lot of waste. If I use the "continuous strip" method there are too many joins (imho) and in some spots they are almost side by side. I look at those joins as a weak link on the edge. I do my own quilting so I always have backing strips left over and most times that is what I use. Since I generally use the double fold for all my quilts, I use a diagonal join to cut down on bulk at the join.

cat-on-a-mac

I almost always do bias. I find I can get a flatter finish, because I pull the binding just a tad when sewing it onto the front, which helps prevent the "wave".

QuiltnLady1

I am with Tartan -- I only use bias for curves and scallops. I use straight grain, double fold binding. A lot of my pieced borders wind up with some bias edges on the outside (no matter how hard I try to avoid it) and I was taught years and years ago that if you have a bias edge you need to stabilize it with the straight grain of fabric. Having the straight grain binding keeps everything stable for me.

WMUTeach

I absolutely prefer bias binding but sometimes just to get the quilt finished and out the door I will use straight of grain binding. The end result? The bias seems a little more forgiving and flexible but the bias works just fine. Long ago I was told, perhaps on this site that bias binding tends to wear better. You are good to go for the bias binding and another time return to your bias choice.

mojo11

I only use double fold bias binding for my quilts.

Sewgood

I use whichever gives me the look I want. No problems.

sewingpup

I seldom use bias bindings....only when there is a reason too...like scalloped edges, rounded corners. I generally cut width of fabric but if the backing fabric is also going to be used as binding, I will wait until I have quilted my quilt and trimmed off the extra backing because often then, I will have enough fabric from the trimmings to make my binding. And yes....I sometimes end up with both WOF and LOF binding from those trimmings but I try and use just the LOF if I have enough of it. I always use double fold binding so mostly cut my strips 2.5 inches. I live in northern Minnesota so yep....most of my quilts have batting in them. I am not very good at hand stitching anything except maybe cross stitch ...so I generally finish my bindings off by using a serpentine stitch on the binding and over the years I have gotten fairly accurate with that so seldom have the stitches showing on the backing. I match my thread with the binding. I have learned to be careful in the mitered corners to keep everything lined up as that was where I mostly was getting stitches showing when I turned the corners.