A good question came up in the comments of my post on making double-fold French binding: how do I cut my fabric in the first place?
Notice how I just skipped the whole Straight-of-Grain vs. Bias discussion?
As I was doing research for writing this post I came across an OUTSTANDING article written by Shelley Rodgers. I’m linking to it because there’s no way I could even come close saying it as well as she does. Thank you Shelley!
I make Bias binding for the following circumstances:
- When I have a curved edge to go around. It’s generally agreed that you can only do curved edges with bias binding so this isn’t really a choice.
- I want to capture a certain effect with the pattern of the fabric by cutting the strips on the bias. I did this for my first quilt shown above, I wanted that fabulous cross-hatched effect. I also did it on the quilt I made for Jone, I wanted the stripes to look like they were winding their way around the quilt.
I make Straight-of-Grain binding (which means I create my 2 1/2″ strips by cutting the fabric selvage to selvage) for the majority of my quilts. I do this because:
- It’s really fast!
- It takes a lot less fabric.
- Very easy to calculate how much yardage is needed.
- I LOVE how stripes look when they’re perpendicular to the quilt. The pattern cover for Anna Banana is a great example.
I have to admit that reading Shelley’s article has made me re-think the ‘wear and tear’ benefits of bias binding. Especially for bed and baby quilts. I also really like her instructions for creating the dreaded ‘tube’. Please share your own opinions!
Thanks for that – it was really informative
Thank you for this post! I made my first quilt for my daughter’s first birthday last month and everything went well until I got to the binding. Everyone I asked had a different take on what to use and how to use it, but no one gave clear reasons why. My next one should go much more smoothly!
Thanks so much for sharing that bias binding article. I had heard all about the “X” fibers being stronger, etc. but I could NEVER wrap my head around how to make the tube…
Now to figure out how to “end” the tube on the quilt… (I recently saw how to do it with a straight seam, but bias works better in the way is distributes the bulk.)
Thanks for that. My mother used to make bias strips like that but I couldn’t remember how she did it. I’ll be doing that on my next quilt.
Ah, smart discussion! I automatically always use bias, even though I HATE cutting it out (I like to use every inch of my fabric, and cutting on the bias just always starts off so wasteful!). I actually like it when my quilts show wear, though, so now I can remember to give myself a break sometimes and use a straight grain binding.
Wow. That article link was FANTASTIC. Thank you for the post!!
I’ve always done a bias binding. Learned that way from the start. Now if I could just get other skills down. LOL
Amy: I have a post planned on how to join the ends. I’ve developed a little method that works flawlessly for me every time. Just need to find the time – it’s crazy around here with new patterns in the works!
In one of my quilting books (sorry, can’t remember which one), there’s a discussion on bias v. straight grain and the author makes the point that even if you’re cutting on the straight grain, it’s never “perfectly” straight. So, you’ll still get those little crossed threads at the binding edges, they just won’t be at a 45 degree angle. I’ve bound almost everything (gotta use bias for the curves) this way for 18 years and I’ve never had a problem with binding wearing out — even the kid’s quilts! All that said, isn’t it great that there’s no “one and only right way” to do things, and isn’t that why we’re all doing this creating thing in the first place?
I understand the arguments for bias bindings, but will probably always be too lazy to ever do it. I agree that my “straight grain” bindings are rarely ever straight anyway! My mother has been doing bindings on the straight of the grain for 30 years. Many of her bindings are still in great shape lots of years later. The ones that have worn out tend to be on quilts that have worn out – the quilts that have been completely loved to death. I have certainly never seen a worn out binding on a quilt that was otherwise in good shape. So I guess I chalk it up to life is too short and quilts don’t last forever anyway. That being said, I do greatly admire the people who do bias bindings
Thanks for exploring this further. I may just have to buckle down and cut more bindings on the bias. BTW, I have a laminated “cheat sheet” from Fons & Porter (decades old now) that gives lots of good info like yardage needed, sizes of squares to cut for half square triangles and quarter square triangles (or setting triangles if that’s what you’re using them for) to get the grain and the bias on the correct sides, AND the instructions to make that continuous bias binding. I love love love that cheat sheet!
Can I ask what fabric you used on the first quilt shown (the pink check stuff)? It’s SUPER cute! Which probably means that I can’t get it anywhere.
Katrina: that quilt was made in 2005, it was a yarn dye fabric but I don’t remember the manufacturer. I wish I had a bolt of it too!
I actually love making bias binding and have never had trouble making the tube. But, I don’t do it for small wallhanging projects. There is something therapeutic about making binding for me for some reason. I guess I know I’m just about finished.
I’m mostly a klutz, but I do love making a bias binding! I follow the excellent instructions from Judy Hopkins and Nancy Martin’s “101 Fabulous Rotary Cut Quilts”, it feels like a miracle every time I do it – and I LOVE the way a bias binding sews on, wears and looks, especially if you get a pattern that goes diagonal. Thanks for the great article!
Wow! I’ve been wondering this lately but haven’t had a chance to research it yet. Thanks for sharing the info!
I make my bindings on a slight bias — ten degrees or so. Saves fabric and gets the benefits of a bias.
I used to use bias binding but I am now a firm believer of on the grain binding. Keeps it shape better and is easier to get perfect corners!
I have not checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last handful of posts are really good quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend.
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All I could say is it is definitely, truly great. I would not change some thing.