Bias Binding

[Christine McFall]

I am making some blankets for Christmas gifts. The problem is I can't remember how to make bias binding. I have sewn for years, but it has been years since I have! Can anyone give me a quickie tutorial??

[Marilynne]

Using a square of yardage, fold DIAGNONALLY and cut along the fold line. Cut 2"wide strips. Usually quilts are bound with binding cut on the straight of the grain, as the long sides are straight. Only if you are doing a wavy edged or scalloped edge quilt would you need bias cut strips. A square quilt uses mitered corners, so you do not stretch your strip around the corner. If you are making round corners (like for a bedspread) you may want to cut bias strips to make the corners. The problem with using bias strips on a "straightaway" is that bias wants to pucker and stretch , as you stitch. I hope this helps.

[Christine McFall]

My blankets do have straight edges so I guess it WOULD be better to have straight strip for the binding. Thanks so much for your advise!