Striped Bindings cut on the bias Cindy Carter 2010

Free Tiphttp://carterquilter.wordpress.com/

This is the way that I do it. There is no right or wrong about this process. Others use other processes and tools and come out with great bias bindings. I simply want to share what works for me.

Tools: Easy Angle ruler by Sharon Shultgren.

http://www.ezquilt.com/products/acrylictools/easyangle6.htm

Available online and at many quilt and craft stores.Less than $10 US each. I have both the 6.5” and 4.5”.

Standard quilting tools are needed – a cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter.

Striped binding cut on the bias is my number one favorite binding.

I have a fun stash of striped fabrics.

Here are some examples:

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 1

Here are some examples.

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 2

How much striped fabric should you buy?

My strategy is to buy for my stash and to buy on sale.

I always buy at least 1 yard.

Approximately 360” inches of binding from each yardif the strips are cut 2.5”

If I am going to bind a larger quilt and I think I will use more of the striped fabric on another quilt I will buy 2 yards.

If I don't think I will use the fabric again I will buy 1.25 yards.

If I see fabric that I love I will buy more.

I especially like to keep a few yards around of

Red and White stripesBlack and White stripes

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 3

Step #1: Cut your fabric in half along the center fold.This cut is parallel to the selvedges.

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 4

Fold up the bottom corner and press.

Cut the fabric on the diagonal line.You will have these two pieces.

BE GENTLE! Try not to stretch fabric along the cut.

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 5

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 6

Step #2.Take the biggest piece from Step #1.

Turn the fabric so the diagonal cut is straight up and down

Fold the bottom corner straight up to make cutting easier.

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 7

Step #3: Cut your fabric into strips. I use 2.5” strips and sometimes 2.25” strips.

Step 4: You have (2) remaining triangles – one big and one little.If the little one is too little just set it aside for scraps.Place the biased edge straight up and down.Fold triangle in half.Cut into strips.

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 8

Step 5. Trim the ends at a 45 degree angle and going in the same direction as the stripes.

If the stripes are pretty far apart like the fabric below I always make sure I leave an entire white stripe on each end.

If the stripes are not the same width or are closely spaced I don't bother to try and fussy trim the ends.

If I am fussy cutting I will do the trimming with a scissors.If not then I will use my Easy Angle Ruler for the 45 degree angle.

Step 6.Trim the points.Place your ruler on the strip according to the picture below.Notice how I had to turn the ruler over to make this cut.

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 9

Step #7. Sewing your strips together.Much easier with your points trimmed.

Align your strips, right sides together and sew a 1/4” seam.Press seam to one side.

Press the entire binding in half wrong sides together.Remember to be gentle.

Step #8. Sew the binding to your quilt, mitering the corners.

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 10

Copyright InformationI have created all of my quilt patterns and tips to be used as a FREE resource to other quilters. I am not making a profit on them and explicitly prohibit others from doing so.

That being said, all you wonderful quilters please use them to create quilts for yourself and others. You may sell any quilts you make for a profit (no mass production). You may exhibit your quilts. I would love it if you all can use the patterns as a resource to help others, gifts for others who are sick or in need, our military, charities and fund raisers of any kind. You may use the patterns to teach classes as long as you provide the patterns free of charge to your students.

Quilt store owners - If you would like to reproduce any of the patterns and provide them free of charge to your customers, please email me first.

Please respect the work I have done in creating these patterns and make sure proper credit is given if you are reproducing and sharing the patterns with others.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.Cindy Cartercarterquilter@gmail.com

Cindy Carter 2010 Striped Binding Cut on the BiasFree Tip 11