How to Calculate Continuous Bias Binding
Hand-made quilts have long been a source of warmth and comfort. Because much time is involved in the making of a quilt, care is taken to ensure that they will last a long time. Binding the quilt edge will reduce wear and extend the life of the quilt. Continuous bias tape is easy to find or can be made. It is then matched or coordinated to the quilt top or back. Once the bias tape is prepared it is sewn on the quilt edge as one long, continuous strip.
Instructions
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Measure around the quilt to determine how much bias tape will be required. Increase the number of inches by ten percent to allow extra for corners and overlapping at the the beginning and end of the tape.
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Square off the fabric for the bias tape. Measure the side of the square. Calculate the length of the strip of bias tape you will get from the fabric square by multiplying the length of the side of the square by itself and dividing the result by the desired width of the bias strip.
For example, if the fabric square you are using is 18 inches and you want to use a bias strip two inches wide the following formula for calculations would be employed: 18 x 18 = 324 square inches, 324 is then divided by 2 which is 162 inches of continuous bias which will be needed.
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Cut a full yard of fabric to make large quantities of bias tape. For example, if the fabric is 36 inches wide and the desired width of the tape is two inches, you will get 648 inches or 18 yards of bias tape from one yard of fabric (36 x 36 = 1296, divide 1296 by 2 = 648).
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References
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