How to Make Binding for a Quilt + Free Quilt Binding Size Chart

Learn how to make binding for a quilt with our easy step-by-step tutorial. Get our free quilt binding size chart to know exactly how much binding you need for your quilt.

Aww, binding. This is controversial, but it’s actually one of my favorite parts of making a quilt. I think it’s because it’s one of the last steps before the quilt is finished and it’s the last bit of love you give into the quilt.

I know some of you don’t share my love of binding, and that’s ok. But whether you like it or not, it has to be done.

Before you actually start sewing binding onto your finished quilt sandwich you have to make the binding strip. And that’s what this article is about: learning how to make binding for a quilt.

If you’ve already made your binding strip and you are ready to sew it on the quilt sandwich, please see our Machine Binding Tutorial here.

What is a Binding Strip?

A binding strip is a strip of fabric sewn around the edges of a quilt (kind of like a frame). It covers the raw edges of a quilt sandwich and creates a neat finish to your quilt.

How To Choose Fabric For Binding?

A binding strip is usually made from the same fabric as your quilt top (quilting cotton or something similar).

When choosing the color or print, this really depends on the effect you want to achieve.

For example, you can use a fabric that you used in your quilt top to create a harmonious look. Alternatively, you can use the backing fabric to visually tie the back and front of the quilt together.

What I really like (and we often do around here) is using the binding to create an accent to the quilt, like this stripey binding in our Underlined quilt or this colorful binding I made for a playful baby quilt using fabric scraps from the quilt top.

Difference Between Straight Grain Binding and Bias Binding

There are two main binding strip types: straight grain binding and bias binding.

The difference between the two is in the way you cut the binding strips from yardage. You can cut:

• along the grain of the fabric (producing straight grain binding) or
• at a 45-degree angle (producing bias binding)

Straight Grain Binding

There are actually two ways you can cut straight grain binding: either lengthwise (parallelly to the selvage) or crosswise (perpendicularly to the selvage).

Both produce similar binding strips (with the crosswise strips being a tiny bit stretchier). I find cutting crosswise to be the easiest method, so that’s what I recommend.

Straight-grain binding strips work well for rectangular quilts, so if you’re not working with curves, this is your go-to. This is also the method I am describing in the tutorial below.

However, if your quilt has curved edges, you will need to make bias binding. Why? Read on.

Bias Binding

As I explained earlier, when making bias binding, fabric threads are cut at a 45-degree angle. The bias cut makes the binding strip more stretchy and therefore more flexible. This makes it perfect for binding curved edges.

This method does require a bit more yardage than straight grain binding strip (as you cut the fabric diagonally).

We talk about bias binding extensively in How to Make Bias Binding for Quilts, so if you’re dealing with curves or strange shapes, I suggest you head over there. In this tutorial, we’ll be focusing on straight grain binding.

How to Calculate Binding?

There is some math that goes into learning how to make binding for a quilt. But don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every step of the way.

Even better, we’ve created an easy quilt binding size chart to help you with avoid the math. So if you want, you can go ahead, and skip to that part, but for all the quilt geeks (I know you’re out there), here’s some theory first.

How Wide Should Binding Strips Be?

First, you’ll want to decide on the width of the binding strip. The required width of the binding strips depends on how wide you want your finished binding to look.

The standard choices are 2 ¼” or 2 ½”, so if this is your first time making quilt binding you can’t go wrong with either of those. With time you’ll see what width works best for you.

We prefer a narrower look, so most of the time we make 2 ¼” binding strips. This produces a finished binding that is a little less than 3/8″ wide (we use a 1/4″ seam allowance to attach the binding).

How to Calculate the Length of the Binding

To calculate the total length of the binding you need to bind your quilt, measure the dimensions of the finished squared quilt sandwich.

Now, calculate the perimeter of the quilt (2x width + 2x length of the quilt) and add an extra 10-12” to account for joining the ends of the binding strips.

 Example:

Quilt dimensions: 28” x 37”

Quilt perimeter: 2x 28” + 2x 37” = 130”

Extra 10 inches for joining the ends: 130” + 10” = 140”

I need 140” binding for my quilt.

How Many WOF Strips do I Need?

Now that you know how long your binding needs to be, you need to calculate the number of WOF (width of fabric) strips you need to cut.

To get the number of strips you need to divide the final length of binding needed by the width of the fabric (usually 42”). Round up the result to the nearest whole number.

Example:

The final binding length: 140”

Number of strips needed: 140” : 42” = 3,3  — rounded up to 4

I need 4 WOF strips to make my binding.

How Many Yards of Fabric do I Need for Quilt Binding?

Finally, after all this math, you can calculate how much yardage you need for quilt binding.

Simply multiply the number of strips needed by the chosen width of the binding strip.

The number you get is in inches, to get the result in yards divide it by 36. Round up the number to the closest 1/4-yard increment. The result is the yardage you need to make a quilt binding strip for your quilt.

(I suggest buying a couple of inches extra to account for cutting mistakes etc.)

Example:

Number of strips needed: 4

Chosen binding width: 2 ¼ ”

Yardage in inches: 4 x 2 ¼ ” = 9”

Yardage in yards: 9” : 36 = ¼ yd

I need 1/4 yd. fabric to make my binding.

Quilt Binding Size Chart

The handy binding reference card includes standard quilt sizes and tells you the total binding length, the number of WOF strips, and the yardage needed to bind the quilt.

Our quilt binding size chart assumes you are making 2 ¼” wide binding strips. If you want to use a different binding width or need a different binding length, use the binding calculator!

So how do you get this chart? Easy! Just sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you the chart as a welcome gift!

This is it! You’ve just learned how to make binding for a quilt. The next step now is to sew this binding strip to your quilt. And we’ve got a great Machine Binding Tutorial for Beginners you can follow. Happy binding!

Quilt Binding FAQ