Binding...whats your preferred width?

[Gina]

I generally use 2.5 but I have used 2.25. I machine sew to the front and hand stitch it to the back as well!

[Bubby]

I use 2.25" binding strips.

[jjkaiser]

I use 3" but sew to the front with 3/8" seam, as I had a problem with 2-1/2" sometimes not catching the raw edge, then having to check the entire perimeter for any other unattached edges. I do pin, maybe I need to use more pins? Anyways I am surprised no one else has run into this issue.

[buckeyequilter]

And here is a youtube video (under 4 minutes) using 2.25" binding by Edyta Sitar.

I like that and will be trying that. Thanks for posting.

Here's the link for anyone that wants to watch:
http://youtu.be/jWauykQzr7w

[Sonic]

Uh oh... I think I did my binding wrong.

I started with 2.5 wide, folded in half, ironed, lined it up with quilt edge, and sewed all the way around. I did the corners like in the video and how Jenny, FQS, and others do it, folded it over and sewed on... mitering the corners correctly.
This gave me a tight double thickness binding with no room to spare. There is no way I could have left a little bit of batting left to plump it up or it would not have fit.

The video above looks like she sews a single layer on and has plenty to work with. For you guys who have mentioned using less than 2.5...is that a single layer of fabric binding?

If it's to be doubled, like I did mine, should I use wider than 2.5 to begin with? (before it's ironed in half, that is)
Was mine super tight because of the flannel backing? I used a low loft batting.
Did I make a goof?

[vchale]

2-1/2" is what I always start with, then fold in half like you said. I don't think you did anything wrong. The width of your seam could be a factor as well as thickness of batting and material used for backing.

[Carrie J]

Interesting video, and makes sense. Have followed Jenny's tut's on binding, and had no issues regardless of the backing material. Tight, a tad, but I usually pin in several places to make sure it's where it should be. 2.5 inches is what I go with regular binding, unless I'm using a false piping technique.

http://www.lvqg.org/media/2a7a5a699c...02ffffe415.pdf

And I totally ignore the part about "bias" binding, just cut WOF and run with it, either flat or utilizing the seam to create a "stuffed" piping look, it works great.

Leah, I use low loft as well, don't think you made a goof, but the video makes great sense regarding less bulk, especially at the mitered corners.

[Vonnie]

If I don't hem it (self-binding) like when I back with Minkee or Fleece, I will cut my binding to 3" and sew to the back with a generous seam allowance, then fold around to the front and stitch down. I use my stitch in the ditch foot with the little metal guide next to the folded edge of the binding and the needle slightly to the right of the fold and sew it down. The guide makes a nice consistent stitch width. With the binding being 3", when I stitch it down on the front, it does not sew on the binding on the back - it misses it - and just looks like another line of quilting.

[K. McEuen]

I always use 2.5" for binding. Flannel might make things a bit tighter, but you didn't do anything wrong.

[Sonic]

Leah, I use low loft as well, don't think you made a goof, but the video makes great sense regarding less bulk, especially at the mitered corners.

And that's what I get for not finishing the video the first time...... I got hung up in thinking I had made a mistake and rushed back here too soon.

Also, the link you provided on the flange binding is much more clear than the previous one I had seen. Thank you!
I might try it on my next quilt binding, but I'm guessing that means I would actually have to sew straight huh?