cutting bias strips for binding

Cut the square in half diagonally (Diagram I). The threads that run the length of the fabric are on the lengthwise grain and the threads that run diagonally are on the crosswise grain. Today we'll look at how I made my striped bias binding for a recent quilt. Bias binding is made by cutting strips of fabrics on the bias – which is a 45º angle from the selvedge. Remember to be gentle. Cutting Strips for Fabric Binding. Trim the edges on each strip of fabric to make sure they have the same shape. Bias binding came out as the “binding champion” in terms of functionality (can be sewn on a curve) and durability (more threads on the fold of the binding). To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Fold single fold bias binding once each edge, toward the center on the wrong side. The most important situation where you would use bias binding is if you’re working with a quilt that has curved edges, you MUST use bias binding. The best way to understand it is to just show you. Whether you are cutting your bias strips individually or in a continuous strip, the larger piece of fabric will result in longer binding strips, so you'll need fewer strips. The seam allowance used to attach the binding should be equal to the desired finished width of your binding. There are several methods for creating the binding strips, this is just one way. Dec 27, 2012 - This video shows one method you can use to cut bias binding. No. Cutting and sewing "on the bias" means the fabric is cut against the natural grain. If your fabric piece is a different size, the folded fabric may look different, although the instructions will be the same. If you have folded your fabric correctly, this cut sliver should come off in 1 long piece. If you are using the continuous bias method the seams will be more generously spaced and you will have fewer seams to contend with. All strips will be the same length. The dimensions that you cut your fabric to will impact how much bias binding you can make. This article has been viewed 20,613 times. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Bias strips are cut diagonally across the fabric. So that is what I am going to show you in today's post. Turn a square of fabric into yards of continuous bias quilt binding the fast and easy way! Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 20,613 times. It’s pretty wonderful stuff and w e go into it in a little more detail here, so check it out if you’re looking for more info on bias. 2. Space the lines the width you need for your strips. Cutting Strips for Fabric Binding. The strips have angled ends that make it easier to connect them along the edges of your project. Beginning quilters and those with hand discomfort often prefer to cut slightly wider strips. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Space the lines the width you need for your strips. But I’m telling you, it’s not as bad as you think. As promised, here is the video tutorial for cutting bias binding. From half yard of fabric I made 288’’ bias tape (8 yards), 2½’’ wide, enough for binding a 70’’ square quilt. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Using the same marking on your ruler ensures your strips of fabric are all the same width. Some cut strips of fabric will be shorter than others. Simply stated, it’s a technique for pre-sewing bias binding strips before you actually cut them. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Making diagonal folds allows you to create bias binding strips without having to measure and draw lines all the way across your fabric. If, however, you’re binding a quilt with curved edges, you’ll want to cut bias strips for your binding. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. A few days ago I prepared this piece of fabric and in order to achieve the desired effect for my binding, I had to make a bias binding, with fabric strips cut on the bias. You will get 9 strips from a 10 inch x length of fabric, cut at 2.5 inches wide. The binding size controversy lies in deciding what size binding strips to cut. By using our site, you agree to our. Cutting Bias Binding. There are two basic types of binding, straight grain binding (which includes cross grain binding) and bias binding. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Press seam to one side. The bias grain runs on a 45º angle to the selvages. Cutting binding crosswise is another option that showcases stripe repeats at right angles to the project edge. Using the strip width determined earlier, cut strips from selvage to selvage until you've cut enough fabric to surpass the required length. Use a clear acrylic rotary ruler and a pencil or fine-point permanent pen to draw the lines. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,567 times. Single fold bias binding is great for surface embellishment. It has the most stretch, so it distorts easily. Fabric that is cut on the bias is cut from one corner to the other of the fabric. Once you’ve settled on bias binding or straight of grain binding strips, and chosen the width of your binding, you can put rotary cutter to fabric with confidence. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Sew the binding to your quilt, mitering the corners. It has the most stretch, so it distorts easily. On fabric wrong side long edges, draw lines to make strips of your chosen binding width (Diagram II). The top right angled edge will be close to, but not on, the lower edge of fabric. Printer-friendly version of this page (pdf) When using 54" wide fabric, allow 54" for the length so you can start with a 54" x 54" square. 1. There are bias binding makers out there, but I tend to do things the old school way, so I cut and fold the binding my hand. Because you’re cutting bias strips instead of a perfect square, it doesn’t matter if your choice of binding fabric has been cut into previously. Bias binding is made by cutting your strips on the bias as opposed to cutting the strips crosswise from the fabric. Cutting Bias Strips for Piping and Banding . Bias binding is also more enduring than straight binding and can give a smoother, more beautiful finish to your quilt. Step #8. Start cutting the bias tape strips from one end ( the extended not stitched end) . Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the Bias Free Tip 10 AccuQuilt Strip Cutter Dies are the best way to give you perfect strips for bias binding. Learn how to cut bias strips. You make straight grain binding from fabric cut vertically (parallel to the selvage), or lengthwise. There might be Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover, but you can cut strips for binding quilts in only one of three ways: straight grain, cross grain or on the bias. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In Part 1 of our instructions we calculated the total length of continuous bias binding and the strip width for a quilt. This makes a bias tape that can be attached to the right side of a project and folded to the wrong side, then stitched down. You can also use what is known in quilting terms as a “fat quarter” to make your bias binding strips. To quickly cut binding strips on the bias, start with a fabric square or rectangle. Cutting the Strips: Folding Your Fabric: You can then sew these strips together to make continuous bias binding. I wanted to make this job easy and without wasting fabric so I had to step out of my comfort zone and UNDERSTAND a technique that I messed it up once or twice. Plaids and stripes, when cut on the bias give a lovely diagonal look that can be the "icing on the cake". wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Cutting all of those bias* strips for welt cord and sewing all of those strips of fabric together can seem overwhelming, tedious, and time-consuming. *Bias is fabric that is cut on the diagonal. Now we’re all full bottle on what it is, let’s get to the making part! This will give you "true bias". This method is a bit complicated and I much much much prefer the second method to make long binding … Beth Hayes takes the mystery out of this near-magical technique with her step-by-step demonstration. [1] The right edge and top of fabric should form a point as you fold the fabric at a 45 degree angle. Spread your fabric on a hard surface, such as a table or gridded cutting board. Bias binding strips can be used to cover the raw edges of a project while also adding a decorative touch. Make sure to cut across the shortest portion of the rectangle. Take one corner of the fabric and fold it diagonally to meet the opposite corner. Cutting on the bias grain will distort your cuts, although it is perfect for making bias tape and selected bindings (like … The short edges of the fabric should be oriented to your left and right sides. Step 4. This post shows you how to make binding from cross-cut fabric strips. For example, if your fabric is one that will likely shrink the first time you wash it, such as cotton, then pre-washing is recommended. Draw several vertical lines to represent the grain of the fabric. Like quilt binding! The reason why cutting strips on the bias seems to take more fabric is because…. For tightly curved edges, you absolutely NEED to use bias to get a nice flat binding that doesn’t pucker and gives you a smooth curve. % of people told us that this article helped them. wikiHow's. Straight grain binding is binding that is cut in strips along the grain of a piece of fabric parallel to the selvedge. With right sides together, sew the triangles together with a 1/4″ seam and press open. If your fabric is 45" wide, then allow for 45" length. For more quilting tips and contests go to http://quiltatreasure.blogspot.com {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Cut-Bias-Binding-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Bias-Binding-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Cut-Bias-Binding-Step-1.jpg\/aid9485677-v4-728px-Cut-Bias-Binding-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"