When cutting fabric for binding

[Beth A.]

When cutting fabric for binding so I cut on Lof or Wof?

[Geneva C.]

Length of the fabric is less likely to stretch, however I cut mine width of the fabric because I like to keep any leftover fabric the full width by whatever I have left over. I don't have any issues with using the width of fabric for binding.

Hope that makes sense!

geneva

[Geneva C.]

I agree with Geneva. However if its a curvy edge I'll make bias binding.

Barb

[Dawn S.]

I always try to use the length of fabric, because it does not stetch and distort an otherwise square quilt. But, if I am short on fabric, I will cut mine across the width. But, I am very careful not to let the binding stretch as I sew. Also, using a walking foot with WOF helps. I am also careful to measure the length of the quilt, and the width of the quilt, (through the centers of the quilt) and make sure the binding measures that same amount, keeping the quilt square.

Dawn

[Nancy R.]

Rather than relying on the binding to keep a quilt square, I use a little trick I learned from David Taylor. Before putting on the binding, I sew twill tape to the edges of the quilt. The twill tape is carefully measures so that the sides of the quilt are square and it doesn't stretch at all. Then the binding can be applied over it and it isn't seen at all. I use a longer stitch length when stitching on the twill tape so the quilt edge can be eased where necessary.

[Nancy R.]

Neat tip Nancy!!

[Dawn S.]

So Nancy, do you sew the twill tape to the back side of the quilt, since there are more layers of binding fabric on the front side? I'll have to try this. It seems ingenious, but I worry about adding more bulk. Did you sew twill tape into Tea for Two? If so, I need to bring a glove to Winner's Circle, and feel your binding (with your permission) after the award presentations, as you proudly stand there smiling and answering everyone's questions!

Dawn

[wendy w.]

I did this for my Chinese Whispers quilt that was wonky,probably on Nancy's advice. It works well. Thanks for the reminder :cheer:

[Sharon E.]

I also use David Taylor's twill tape method. When I am at JoAnn's I grab a couple cards of 1/4" tape to have on hand. You really don't notice the extra bulk because the tape isn't thick, at least I haven't noticed it, nor the judges. I also use a wide zigzag instead of long straight stitch; that just works for me better. I have only used it on big quilts.

Sharon in CO

[Sharon E.]

BTW I sew my twill tape on the front.

[Nancy R.]

I've sewn my twill tape on the front, too. I did use it on my Tea for Two quilt, so you are welcome to feel it in Houston. I've had trouble keeping it in place on the bottom when sewing the long line of tape, so I sew a couple of inches on the bottom first to hold it in place, then turn the quilt around and sew the rest of the tape from the top. I bought a huge roll of the twill tape for cheap from wawak.com, my favorite online sewing supply place. That's also where I get things like Thread Heaven and blue water-soluable marking pens.

[Nancy R.]

Forgot to say that I'm definitely going to try the zigzag. I think that'll work even better. Thanks for the idea, Sharon!

[Nancy R.]

Thanks again Nancy and Sharon I'm adding twill tape to my edges (zigzagged) before binding!
Barb

[Nancy R.]

Thanks for the twill tape method. I had never done this, but today I attached it to the top edge of my Canberra Tree quilt. I cut A piece for each side that was 1/2 " less than the measurement that side was supposed to be. That way I'd keep it 1/4 " from each end so I wouldn't have anything extra in the corner miter area. I then sewed my binding to the back, my preferred method. After setting the stitches, and turning the binding to the front, I was able to stitch my binding down with my 'heart beat' stitch. I feel it hangs better than I've experienced in the past. And this piece has a lot of varying amounts of stitching, so if it would be wonky it wouldn't have surprised me in the least.



It is hanging from three little mini clips on the curtain rod!
I will probably use this idea often. And I didn't even notice any extra thickness in the edges!
Thanks
Luann

[Marianne G.]

Thank you very much Nancy, for the tip about the twill tape. I'm interested to hear if you find the zig-zag works better. Being a dressmaker I would have thought that the zig-zag stitch would give more stretch, which is what you want to avoid, than the straight stitch. Of course it depends very much on the quality of the twill tape. I will see if I can find some 1/4" wide tape for my next set of table mats and try both stitches out.
Marianne