How to Cut a Bias Binding

So, you've made a quilt and now you need to add the bias binding to finish it. This may seem like a difficult task, but you always follow the same steps. The only thing that will change for each bias binding is the size of the fabric. Once you do it once, making continuous bias binding is as easy as it can be.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cutting board
• Rotary cutter
• Fabric
• Long ruler
• Sewing machine
• Scissors

1. Choose a fabric to match your project. It should be 100 percent cotton instead of a fabric that is slippery or could stretch. This makes attaching the binding to the project easier.

2. Cut the fabric into a perfect square. The size of the square depends on the size of the project. For example, a 33-inch square works for a quilt that is approximately 80-by-108 inches or is roughly a king size quilt.

3. Make two triangles by cutting the square along the diagonal. Using a long ruler and rotary cutter makes this easy and accurate. Accuracy is important.

4. Join the two triangles together by sewing along a short edge with the right sides together. When unfolded, the fabric should be in the shape of a parallelogram. Iron the seam open. If you're unsure of which sides to sew, lay the pieces out on a table first as a parallelogram, then fold one side over the other.

5. Draw lines on the wrong side of the fabric using a long ruler and chalk or a pencil. Continue to draw lines 2 ½ inches apart all the way down the fabric.
   
   

6. Bring the short ends of the fabric together, offsetting the first drawn line. Sew with the right sides together. This makes a tube.

7. Find the extended edge and begin cutting. Cut continuously all the way to the end following the chalk marks. When you're finished, there is one long strip with which to bind your project.