Cutting bias strips Binding with mitered corners Diagonal seams for joining strips   Fold binding

CUTTING STRAIGHT STRIPS

Cut strips on the crosswise grain, from selvedge to selvedge, cutting to the width indicated in the project instructions. Use a rotary cutter and straightedge to obtain a straight cut. Remove the selvedges and join the strips with diagonal seams.

CUTTING BIAS STRIPS

Cut strips to the width indicated in the project instructions. Fold one cut end of the fabric to meet one selvedge, forming a fold at a 45-degree angle to the selvedge (1). With the fabric placed on a self-healing mat, cut off the fold with a rotary cutter, using a straight edge as a guide to make a straight cut. With the straightedge and rotary cutter, cut strips to the appropriate width (2). Join the strips with diagonal seams.

BINDING WITH MITERED CORNERS

If using double-layer binding (option B at right) follow the alternate italicized instructions in parenthesis. Open the binding and press ½" (1.3 cm) to the wrong side at one short end (refold the binding at the center crease and proceed). Starting with the folded-under end of the binding, place it near the center of the first edge of the project to be bound, matching the raw edges, and pin in place.

Begin sewing near the center of one edge of the project, along the first crease (at the appropriate distance from the raw edge), leaving several inches of the binding fabric free at the beginning. Stop sewing ¼" (6 mm) before reaching the corner, backtack, and cut the threads. Rotate the project 90 degrees to position it for sewing the next side.

Fold the binding fabric up, away from the project, at a 45-degree angle (1), then fold it back down along the project raw edge (2). This forms a miter at the corner. Stitch the second side, beginning at the project raw edge (2) and ending ¼" (6 mm) from the next corner, as before. Continue as established until you have completed the last corner. Continue stitching until you are a few inches from the beginning edge of the binding fabric.

Overlap the pressed beginning edge of the binding by ½" (1.3 cm, or overlap more as necessary for security) and trim the working edge to fit. Finish sewing the binding (opening the center fold and tucking the raw edge inside the pressed end of the binding strip). Refold the binding along all the creases and then fold it over the project raw edges to the back, enclosing the raw edges (there are no creases to worry about with option B). The folded edge of the binding strip should just cover the stitches visible on the project back. Slip stitch or blindstitch the binding in place, tucking in the corners to complete the miters as you go (3).

DIAGONAL SEAMS FOR JOINING STRIPS

Lay two strips right sides together, at right angles. The area where the strips overlap forms a square. Sew diagonally across the square as shown above. Trim the excess fabric ¼" (6 mm) away from the seamline and press the seam allowances open. Repeat to join all the strips, forming one long fabric band.

FOLD BINDING

A. Double-fold Binding

This option will create binding that is similar to packaged double-fold bias tape/binding. Fold the strip in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together; press. Open up the fold and then fold each long edge toward the wrong side, so that the raw edges meet in the middle (1). Refold the binding along the existing center crease, enclosing the raw edges (2), and press again.

B. Double-layer Binding

This option creates a double-thickness binding with only one fold. This binding is often favored by quilters. Fold the strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together; press.