How to Cut & Measure to Bind Quilts

A quilt's binding is what holds the completed quilt together.

Binding can make or break a quilting project. Many quilts have lost competitions because of flaws in the binding. Bias binding is made from fabric strips cut on the bias, and it is suitable for all types of quilts. Once the binding is measured and cut, it will be in a continuous strip so there will be no need for piecing.

Things You'll Need

• Quilting fabric, 40 inches wide
• Rotary cutter or scissors
• Ruler
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Decide on how wide you want your quilt binding to be. The most common widths for quilt binding are 1-1/2 inches, 1-3/4 inches, 2 inches, 2-1/4 inches, 2-1/2 inches and 3 inches.

2. Measure the perimeter of the quilt and add 10 inches to that measurement. This will determine how much binding material you will need.

3. Calculate the size of the fabric square you will need for you bias binding by using this chart.
   Quilts with a perimeter of up to 110 inches use a 21-inch square of fabric.
   Quilts from 111 to 130 inches use a 22-inch square.
   Quilts from 131 to 150 inches use a 23-inch square.
   Quilts from 151 to 170 inches use a 25-inch square.
   Quilts from 171 to 190 inches use a 26-inch square.
   Quilts from 191 to 210 inches use a 27-inch square.
   Quilts from 211 to 240 inches use a 29-inch square.
   Quilts from 241 to 270 inches use a 31-inch square.
   Quilts from 271 to 300 inches use a 34-inch square.
   Quilts from 301 to 330 inches use a 35-inch square.
   Quilts from 331 to 360 inches use a 36-inch square.
   Quilts from 361 to 390 inches use a 38-inch square.
   Quilts from 391 to 420 inches use a 39-inch square.
   Quilts from 421 to 480 inches use a 40-inch square.

4. Cut the fabric square diagonally into two equal triangles. Stitch the fabric together by placing right sides together, so that the long edges of the fabric match up and the triangles are opposite each other. Sew together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance and press the seam open. When you open up the fabric you will have a parallelogram.

5. Draw lines for the binding strips, on the wrong side of the fabric, parallel to the long edges. A long ruler helps keep the lines straight.

6. Bring the short diagonal edges together matching up the lines, but offset them by one line. With right sides together, pin. Sew together to form a tube. Use 1/4-inch seams.

7. Starting with one offset edge, cut along the lines with a sharp pair of scissors. The result will be a single continuous piece of bias binding.

References

• "Bound and Determined: Finish that Quilt;" a binding guide from the editors of McCall's "Quick Quilts" magazine; 2008; pages 8 to 10