Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

[Devchdm]

Why do I try to work beyond my capability ? :-)

I have a quilt that is 50x53 and ready for binding.
I want to bind it with a collection of 2.5" strips that were used to make the quilt top.

I 'auditioned' various lengths for these strips and determined that 11" would look good. So
I cut a lot of strips that are 11.5" long (accounting for 1/4 inch seams) by 2.5" wide.

1. If I ultimately want 11" strips in the end to show up on the final quilt,
and I am joining the strips with a diagonal seam, did I screw up by
cutting the strips at 11.5? Do diagonal 'joining seams' require more fabric?

2. I used a binding calculator app that said that based on the dimensions of the quilt and the strips,
I would need 216" of binding length. Does that seem right?

thanks!
Donna

[quiltsRfun]

Re: Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

Yes, diagonal seams require more fabric . You'll lose a couple of inches on each strip. Your total length is probably OK but your sections won't be 11 inches.

[auntiemern]

Re: Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

You lose the entire 2 1/2" of length when you do diagonal seams. Or how ever wide your cut your strips.

[LizTheScot]

Re: Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

Why do I try to work beyond my capability ? :-)

I have a quilt that is 50x53 and ready for binding.
I want to bind it with a collection of 2.5" strips that were used to make the quilt top.

I 'auditioned' various lengths for these strips and determined that 11" would look good. So
I cut a lot of strips that are 11.5" long (accounting for 1/4 inch seams) by 2.5" wide.

1. If I ultimately want 11" strips in the end to show up on the final quilt,
and I am joining the strips with a diagonal seam, did I screw up by
cutting the strips at 11.5? Do diagonal 'joining seams' require more fabric?

2. I used a binding calculator app that said that based on the dimensions of the quilt and the strips,
I would need 216" of binding length. Does that seem right?

thanks!
Donna

The calculation for length of binding you'll need is: sum of the length of four sides of your quilt plus extra for corners and finishing. My personal preference is to add about 15" for the 'extra' (because I struggle with joining those final ends so I like to have a bit more fabric to play with.) For your quilt I would create a long strip of fabric that is 50+50+53+53+15=221". The 216" from your app gives you about 10" extra, which should also be fine.

[[email protected]]

Re: Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

I use the Quilt Fab app or the Quilting Calc.

[lmanna]

Re: Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

I always use the Robert Kaufman Quilt Calculator App: http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting-calculators/ . It hasn't steered me wrong yet.

[JCY]

Re: Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

I add up the dimensions of all 4 sides of the quilt top & add 10". I do diagonal piecing.

[Snip Snip]

Re: Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

The chances of your 11 inch pieces coming out right at the end where you join the sewed-on binding together is pretty slim. Would you consider random length pieces? Say, from 9 to 13 inches, maybe even a few smaller pieces. That way, when you join the two ends together, it won't look odd not being 11 inches sewn to 11 different inches.

[Devchdm]

Re: Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

The chances of your 11 inch pieces coming out right at the end where you join the sewed-on binding together is pretty slim. Would you consider random length pieces? Say, from 9 to 13 inches, maybe even a few smaller pieces. That way, when you join the two ends together, it won't look odd not being 11 inches sewn to 11 different inches.

Oh boy I never thought of that! Bummer! But appreciate suggestion. About ready to get superglue and spray paint to finish this thing! Thanks!

[MNnancy]

Re: Questions on Calculating Binding Requirements

Love the idea of the random lengths. That makes perfect sense.