Continuous bias binding calculation

[Caroline T.]

I use this method of making bias binding...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGylrmn-PzQ

Somewhere I saw a calculation to determine how much bias binding you'll end up with depending on the size of the initial square, and the width of your strips, but for the life of me, I can't find the formula again so I end up with alot more than I need, or worse am short a few inches.

Anyone know the formula that I'm thinking of?

[KarenC]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

http://so-sew-easy.com/continuous-bias-binding-calculator/

[Doloris]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

http://so-sew-easy.com/continuous-bi...ng-calculator/

bad link
....................

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

Patrick Lose has lots of great binding tips.

http://siterepository.s3.amazonaws.com/384/patricks_binding_basics.pdf

[KarenC]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

bad link
....................

not sure why. I just tried it and it worked for me. I see someone else provided a different link, so hopefully you're good.

[Doloris]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

not sure why. I just tried it and it worked for me. I see someone else provided a different link, so hopefully you're good.

working for me now

[JCY]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

I've never used a "formula" for length of binding. I just add the total of all 4 sides of the quilt top & add 10" to allow for the angled seams & closing the gap at the end.

[rebeccas-sewing]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

I usually add up all four sides and add one extra strip

[peepers613]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

I've never used a "formula" for length of binding. I just add the total of all 4 sides of the quilt top & add 10" to allow for the angled seams & closing the gap at the end.

That only works for straight binding. For bias binding, which is stretchy, you start with a square the size of which is determined by the length and width you want your binding to be. I always make bias binding. I have a chart I got somewhere years ago. (Took me awhile, but I found it at softexpressions.com. It's called " Quilter's Strip Ticket." It has instructions for making bias binding, too.)

[snippet]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

I have a problem with this square thing. I used the Robert Kaufman calculator for a quilt that is 36 x 48. It said to buy 1/2 yard and use a 26" square. How can you get a 26" square from 18" of fabric?

[JCY]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

Binding strips (for straight binding) are cut from the width of the fabric, so each strip should be almost 42" long. I don't do bias binding.

[peepers613]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

I have a problem with this square thing. I used the Robert Kaufman calculator for a quilt that is 36 x 48. It said to buy 1/2 yard and use a 26" square. How can you get a 26" square from 18" of fabric?

You'd have to piece it, but you'd have a lot of seams in your finished binding. This is why I use that chart I mentioned. It's never steered me wrong. Your quilt requires a 168" binding. For a 2" binding (folded in half before applying) A 17 and 1/2 inch square will give you 144". A 20 and 1/2 inch square would be 196", so 18" would probably work. I always make extra binding and then piece them together to bind scrappy quilts.

[snippet]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

You'd have to piece it, but you'd have a lot of seams in your finished binding. This is why I use that chart I mentioned. It's never steered me wrong. Your quilt requires a 168" binding. For a 2" binding (folded in half before applying) A 17 and 1/2 inch square will give you 144". A 20 and 1/2 inch square would be 196", so 18" would probably work. I always make extra binding and then piece them together to bind scrappy quilts.

I emailed the company and they said it's really not a square, but that I need 26" of the WOF from the 1/2 yard cut. They worded it strangely on the calculator, but now I understand.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to check out that chart you have.

[Caroline T.]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

That only works for straight binding. For bias binding, which is stretchy, you start with a square the size of which is determined by the length and width you want your binding to be. I always make bias binding. I have a chart I got somewhere years ago. (Took me awhile, but I found it at softexpressions.com. It's called " Quilter's Strip Ticket." It has instructions for making bias binding, too.)

Thanks Peepers, I searched for a chart and found one that I printed out and have pinned to my bulletin board, so that I can find it easily next time. I've got about a dozen quilt tops finished right now, and am currently working on piecing the backings and making the binding strips, so your timing is perfect!

I've got a lot of vacation time coming up, so my hope is to rent the longarm machine at my LQS, and to get busy and get these projects finished before starting another

[Bubby]

Re: Continuous bias binding calculation

Here's a math equation that I use to figure out the size of the square I need when I cut bias binding:

Add up the measurements of all four sides of your quilt and add 10. Multiply this number by the width of the binding you want to cut (usually 2.25 or 2.5). Find the square root of this number and round up 1.

Example: My quilt is 50x70. All four sides add up to 240 + 10 = 250. I want to make my binding strips 2.25". Multiply 250x2.25=5625. The square root of this number is 23.71 so I round this up to 24" and add 1". The size square I need is 25 inches. If you have a calculator you have a square root button. It looks like a checkmark with a little line going off to the right.

This may sound complicated but it's actually pretty easy.