Cutting Continuous Bias Binding

Phew! What a long (and boring) post title! Well, this one is a long time coming, but I'm a list maker and desperately trying to cross things off! Ages ago, sweet Amy posted about bias binding and how to sew two strips together so that they are nicely aligned. Strangely enough, that same week I learned to cut a continuous bias binding strip so as to minimize the number of joining seams needed. So, I thought maybe I should make up a little post to share the technique with those who don't already know how to do this. This may be a bit confusing at first, but once you give it a shot, it will all become clear (famous last words, I know...)!

Step 1: Determine how much fabric you need for your binding strip. Measure the perimeter of your quilt and add 12". Divide this number by 42 (assuming about 42" of usable fabric on a 44/45" wide fabric) and round up to an even number. Then multiply this number by your strip width (including seam allowances). This final number is the length of the rectangle needed to make your continuous bias binding strip. Here's an example:

• Quilt measures 71" x 90"
• Perimeter = 71+90+71+90 = 322 and add 12" for a total of 334"
• 334/42 = 7.95 Round up to 8
• 8 x 2.5 (for 2.5" binding strip width) = 20
• You'll need 20" x 42" piece of fabric for the binding

Step 2: After cutting the rectangle to size, fold down one corner of the fabric to create a right triangle (A) and cut along fold.

Step 3: Sew A to B using a 1/4" seam allowance and press the seam open.

 

Step 4: On the wrong side of your fabric, mark cutting lines parallel to the bias edge that are the width of your binding strip (e.g., 2.5" in the above example).

 

Step 5: Cut 6" down the line at the "pointy" end of your fabric. Then fold the fabric into a tube (approximately in thirds) so that the * and all of your marked lines are aligned. Pin if needed, and then sew a 1/4" seam to create a long tube. Press seam open.

 

Step 6: Continue cutting the fabric along your marked line, which will now be a spiral running the complete length of your fabric. Be careful to only cut one thickness of fabric at a time. This will result in one long bias strip of fabric, with all of your seams perfectly aligned!

Sound ultra confusing? Try it out with a piece of paper for practice, and you should be able to make sense of it. Still confused? Send me an email and I'll try to help! This technique has already saved me some time and headache!

Comments

[Siow Chin]

I tried it on paper and it worked perfectly! Thanks for the great tip, which comes in really handy as I'm going to attempt making my first quilt.

[autum]

I recently used this technique when I made piping for a comforter. It is confusing the first try but is definitely the way to go if you need more than a small amount of bias. It is amazing how much you can get out of a small amount of fabric.

[Carly]

Thank you for this! Now I can make my own quilt binding, no problem. You explained it perfectly. Thanks!

[Catrina]

Thanks so much for posting this!!

[Laurie]

now that is clever. i love learning new tricks for saving time,energy and fabric!

[mrspilkington]

thank you -- i'm working up the nerve to try a baby quilt. you're the best!

[Jennifer]

This is my favorite technique for cutting bias binding, and the only one I use! I first learned of it from instructions in my Fons and Porter quilting book--one of the best references out there. Isn't it fun, once you have the grunt work of drawing all the lines on, to just cut and cut and cut and end up with a magical length of bias binding? Great tutorial.

[amy k.]

seriously-I just tried this last saturday!! no kidding ho weird is that? i used NO math and made it too narrow-but it's awesome and I will never go back to ears now (except for triangles. . .) thanks for all this!

[Mathea]

Thanks ever so much for posting this! I know I have seen a similair explanation in a book somewhere, but couldn't remember where. -And you explain it so well! This is definitely the way I'm going to make my bias binding in the future :-)

[Leesa]

I tried doing this technique on paper. Everything went OK until I got to the seam-sewing. You said to fold in thirds (I assume that is right sides together?), but don't you have to fold in half in order to sew the seam? And won't the quarter inch seam mess up the alignment? Sorry, I seem to have a problem visualizing this -- I think I am perceptually-challenged. Please help.

[Trish W.]

HELP - I am thrilled to learn this new method of making continuous bias binding but what do I do about matching a 2 1/2 inch plaid before sewing the tube together? When I try matching the dots, the repeat doesn't work. If I fudge it and match the repeat, I'm afraid the lines will be wobbly???????

[Veronica]

This was my second attempt at continuous bias binding and found it very easy to do. Much easier than the first time I tried. My only problem was not using the right measurements and I came up short with the binding. But, I know what I did wrong. Thanks!

[Linda]

I have been a quilter for some time but always thought it was too hard to make a bias binding...your instructions are easy to follow and I will do this from now on...thanks

[Stephanie]

Great instructions. I already knew how to do it using a square, but a rectangle is so much more practical for me since I'm often using what is leftover from cutting borders. Thanks!

[Darci]

Thanks so much for this formula. My mom has used this for years, but could not remember the formula and I searched the web and found it easy.

[Dianne Smith]

I was thrilled to find these directions. They are so clear except for the part about folding in thirds, so I just ignored it. It would be better to tell folks to line up the left side of the 6 inch first cut with the correct line at the top which is over one strip and then sew the tube as directed. I figured it out by reading some previously confusing directions which only made sense at that part if one just knew where to start........I am crocheting rugs and that calls for a lot of long strips......Hurray!! No more constant sewing of small strips together.

[Loretta]

Totally confused about the bias tape directions. I have tried and tried but feel like I am missing a part of my brain....What am I doing wrong???

Thanks.

[Judy Williamson]

Can you tell me how to sew the bias binding (the directions were great) to a Double Wedding quilt. I just can't seem to get it sewed on properly.

[natalia]

This is very clear and clever! Thank you!

[Stephanie in MN]

Thanks so much for sharing the calculation! I always have odd rectangles leftover from making borders and a rectangle makes more efficient use of leftovers than a square.

[Karen]

I learned of this years ago, but lost the directions. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

[Jeanne Slater]

I am trying this with paper and am not quite sure about the folding to make the tube. I'm sure it is not so difficult, my brain just can't figure it out. I will be using this for the binding and ties for an apron so this would be better than having to buy a lot of seam biding that does not match!

[Valerie]

Wow, I had done this years ago but had forgotten how and now need long bias again. Thanks for sharing. The technique is wonderful

[Naomi Edwards]

If I want to make the binding wider how do I calculate the difference?
Naomi

[Kelly and Gerald Stevens]

Hi!

Then you would just change the 2.5" in my formula to your desired width.

Kelly