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How to Bind a Quilt
Learn 6 different ways to bind your quilts with perfection – you'll have smooth and square mitered corners and even edges all the way around your quilt. www.HowToBindAQuilt.com |
You will definitely want to use bias binding when you have a quilt with curves, since bias binding has the flexibility to stretch and tighten up while creating nice smooth edges.
The main other reason for using bias binding is that the wear and tear of the binding will be spread over a diagonal web of threads making up the fabric of the binding. A straight grain binding has fibers that run parallel to the edges of the quilt, which means that the few fibers along the edges of the quilt will bear the burden of the wear and tear of the edge of the quilt.
If you are binding a quilt with straight edges (not scallops or curves) you can choose which type of binding to use. It is somewhat easier to work with straight-grain binding since it will not stretch as you are working with it. However remember there is a trade-off in that if the quilt will be used quite a bit, you may want to consider the possible wear and tear on the bound edges and do whatever you can to reduce the likelihood of the binding wearing out - at least in your lifetime!
Another consideration is that when you cut bias binding from a square of fabric, you will end up with a bias edge left, which may not be so convenient for your next project.
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
