Note the triangle in the upper right; it’s wide enough to take another 2-1/2″ cut, but that strip would be very short to stitch for the binding I intend to use it on. This article has been viewed 22,567 times. Today we'll look at how I made my striped bias binding for a recent quilt. Does Bias Binding Require More Fabric? Sew the binding to your quilt, mitering the corners. Align your strips, right sides together and sew a 1/4” seam. It has the most stretch, so it distorts easily. You can start with any size rectangle and in just a few minutes have the longest possible bias strips from that rectangle. The top right angled edge will be close to, but not on, the lower edge of fabric. Single fold bias binding is great for surface embellishment. 1 . After rotating the fabric, the folded edge should be on your right side. 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. … The seam allowance used to attach the binding should be equal to the desired finished width of your binding. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Many stripe aficionados prefer to cut striped binding on the bias (a true 45° angle) for some diagonal interest. If you need something wider or more narrow, you’ll need to recalculate. This trick is MIND BLOWING. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Beth Hayes takes the mystery out of this near-magical technique with her step-by-step demonstration. But I’m telling you, it’s not as bad as you think. 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. If you need to make bias binding, and just cut strips on the bias, there could be significant waste of fabric. Go on cutting till the end and you get this long strip of bias binding tape. For example, if you want to make 4 inch wide cut strips … Cutting Strips for Fabric Binding. If you need longer strips you can cut from a 20 inch x length of fabric piece. You’ll need a 14 1/2 inch square —– to make approximately 94 inches of a 2 inch wide bias strip; You’ll need a 20 1/2 inch square —– to make approximately 191 inches of a 2 inch wide bias strip ***These instructions are for making 2 inch wide bias cut strips, which will result in 1/2 inch Double Fold Bias Tape. In this video I will show you a step by step method for cutting bias binding strips from large pieces of fabric. Research source Turn a square of fabric into yards of continuous bias quilt binding the fast and easy way! Cut the square in half diagonally (Diagram I). You will get 9 strips from a 10 inch x length of fabric, cut at 2.5 inches wide. If you are using the continuous bias method the seams will be more generously spaced and you will have fewer seams to contend with. You can also use what is known in quilting terms as a “fat quarter” to make your bias binding strips. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Making diagonal folds allows you to create bias binding strips without having to measure and draw lines all the way across your fabric. If you’ve ever needed to make a lot of bias tape, you know how tricky and time-consuming it can be. 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. By using our site, you agree to our. 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. 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. If, however, you’re binding a quilt with curved edges, you’ll want to cut bias strips for your binding. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. As we are up to the point that they need some binding for our Rushcutters. References. With right sides together, sew the triangles together with a 1/4″ seam and press open. You place the fabric you intend to use for bias binding on a flat surface – I recommend a cutting mat! Using the strip width determined earlier, cut strips from selvage to selvage until you've cut enough fabric to surpass the required length. 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. You must be extremely careful when handling the bias. [1] Frustration-free. Straight grain binding is binding that is cut in strips along the grain of a piece of fabric parallel to the selvedge. % of people told us that this article helped them. Step 4. Fabric that is cut on the bias is cut from one corner to the other of the fabric. Using the same marking on your ruler ensures your strips of fabric are all the same width. Making bias binding is quite an easy task, if you opt for a simple fabric. Quilt Binding in Bias Grain This binding is cut at a 45 degree angle to the selvage. Make Continuous Crosswise Grain Quilt Binding Strips . As you cut off strips, line the new left edge of fabric with the mark you chose on the ruler. Cutting on the bias grain will distort your cuts, although it is perfect for making bias tape and selected bindings (like … For example, for 1⁄4"-wide finished single-fold binding, cut 1-1⁄8"-wide binding strips and attach them using a 1⁄4" seam allowance. AccuQuilt Strip Cutter Dies are the best way to give you perfect strips for bias binding. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Keep in mind that this extra fold is only necessary if you are working with a larger piece of fabric. The binding strips for single-fold binding can be cut on the straight or … This will give you "true bias". 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 top right corner should meet at the 45 degree corner at the lower-left edge, in the middle. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,567 times. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Each way has its own strengths and weaknesses. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Cutting Bias Binding. On fabric wrong side long edges, draw lines to make strips of your chosen binding width (Diagram II). That restaurant had some interesting decor too. While the math should be simple, quilter preferences are diverse. The binding size controversy lies in deciding what size binding strips to cut. "Fabric grain" is the direction in which the woven threads run. It also works great for … We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. To cut bias strips using this technique, follow these easy steps: Using a ruler, mark lines on a piece of fabric on a 45-degree angle to the grain line. You can then sew these strips together to make continuous bias binding. Not at all. There are several methods for creating the binding strips, this is just one way. Now we’re all full bottle on what it is, let’s get to the making part! We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Trim the edges on each strip of fabric to make sure they have the same shape. Our quilt binding instructions continue with marking and cutting your rectangle. Cutting Strips for Fabric Binding. Press the entire binding in half wrong sides together. 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. [2] The bias grain runs on a 45º angle to the selvages. Fold single fold bias binding once each edge, toward the center on the wrong side. Binding Charts for both Bias Cut and Straight Cut Binding. X To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Space the lines the width you need for your strips. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 20,613 times. It’s the shortest of short cuts with incredible results. Some cut strips of fabric will be shorter than others. This article has been viewed 22,567 times. If your fabric is 45" wide, then allow for 45" length. Determine Strip Width and Length. Bias binding is made by cutting your strips on the bias as opposed to cutting the strips crosswise from the fabric. Learn how to cut bias strips. Like quilt binding! You'll be convinced! Use your rotary cutter or a pair of fabric shear to cut your fabric piece to the desired dimensions for making your binding strips. Your piece will be in the shape of a triangle after you make this first fold. Most see-through rulers intended for rotary cutting have 45-degree lines already marked on them, so they’re especially useful for this task. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. There are two main reasons why you would use bias binding. The diagrams shown illustrate a 5⁄8-yard length of 42"-wide fabric. AccuQuilt Strip Cutter Dies are the best way to give you perfect strips for bias binding. DOUBLE-FOLD bias tape is single-fold bias tape that has been folded again down the center, making a clamshell shape that can be used to trap seam allowances in the middle and sealing them tight. So bias binding is simply strips of fabric that have been cut on the bias which can do this same moulding & adapting! There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Cutting the Strips: Folding Your Fabric: This is the grain of fabric with the most stretch, which helps the bias binding you’re making work nicely on curves such as necklines and armholes. The best way to understand it is to just show you. Cutting Bias Binding. However, you will have to be much more careful when cutting the fabric since you will not have the benefit of a lined surface to cut on. Bias strips are cut diagonally across the fabric. You must be extremely careful when handling the bias. 2. 1. In other words, cut width-wise, not lengthwise. Research source The process eliminates having to sew a bunch of strips together end-to-end to get the length you need to go around your project. You may have heard of, and even used, bias tape. The bias grain runs on a 45º angle to the selvages. Press seam to one side. You should have one long fabric edge immediately in front of you with the second long fabric edge pointed away from you. % of people told us that this article helped them. Continue cutting all the binding strips, making sure you keep the edge straight. It allows for more visibility of stripe patterning and fewer seams are required with less yardage. X Step 3. To quickly cut binding strips on the bias, start with a fabric square or rectangle. Take one corner of the fabric and fold it diagonally to meet the opposite corner. Spread your fabric on a hard surface, such as a table or gridded cutting board. *Bias is fabric that is cut on the diagonal. It is flexible with most amount of stretch and can be used on any edge. Cross grain and lengthwise grain strips are not flexible enough for curved edges. Diagonally striped binding looks great on a quilt but unless you have diagonally striped fabric, bias binding is in order. Make sure the left (cut) edge and bottom edge are lining up with the markings on the ruler as you align your ruler with the cut edges of fabric. A number of people cut straight strips for binding. Draw several vertical lines to represent the grain of the fabric. To cut bias strips using this technique, follow these easy steps: Using a ruler, mark lines on a piece of fabric on a 45-degree angle to the grain line. For quilts with curved edges, you must use bias strips so the binding will bend around the curves. The stretch in the bias makes it easier to maneuver the binding around the quilt’s curved edges. Remember to be gentle. The strips have angled ends that make it easier to connect them along the edges of your project. It is best to use a piece of fabric that is a square or nearly a square. Step #8. Demonstrating all this was super quick and fun–maybe a little too fun, since at least once, I made my Crazy Eyes: I just get so darn excited!! 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. If you’ve ever needed to make a lot of bias tape, you know how tricky and time-consuming it can be. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You can start with any size rectangle and in just a few minutes have the longest possible bias strips from that rectangle. When you lay out your strips, you’ll have two types: one set will be the same length with the angled sides going the same direction, and the second type will all be different lengths with the angled sides leaning toward one another. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Bias binding strips can be used to cover the raw edges of a project while also adding a decorative touch. I did that too, until I learned this technique from Pat Wys of Silver Thimble Talk.I think I told you earlier that Pat showed Pat C. and I this method using a napkin in a restaurant in Atlanta. 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. If you just have a small piece, then you can skip it. If you have folded your fabric correctly, this cut sliver should come off in 1 long piece. Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1 – Measure the quilt to determine how many inches of binding you need. Make Long bias binding tapes from small and long fabric piece. For more quilting tips and contests go to http://quiltatreasure.blogspot.com If you do not have a cutting mat and rotary cutter and do not want to purchase these items, then you may also use scissors and a ruler to make your cuts. Don't join strips with straight seams across their ends, because that method creates a binding with seam allowances that travel from the front of the quilt to the back in a straight line, resulting in too much bulk in one spot. You make straight grain binding from fabric cut vertically (parallel to the selvage), or lengthwise. wikiHow's. If you want to try this technique, here is what you need: Half yard of quilt … Straight grain binding is binding that is cut in strips along the grain of a piece of fabric parallel to the selvedge. 1. Traditionally, there are 2 ways to get a length of bias to make a binding or a piping or other trims. Cutting binding crosswise is another option that showcases stripe repeats at right angles to the project edge. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It’s the shortest of short cuts with incredible results. 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). Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. {"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":"