How to Make Straight-Grain Quilt Binding

Use the quilt binding calculator to determine the required binding length, strip width, strip count, and yardage. For the 60 by 80 inch example, the plan uses 2½-inch strips, eight width-of-fabric strips, and 5/8 yard of fabric.

Press and square the fabric. Cut the required number of width-of-fabric strips accurately from selvage to selvage, then remove the selvages.

Place two strip ends right sides together at a 90-degree angle. Let the end of each strip extend a little past the other strip. The two strip ends form a small overlapping square.

Sew diagonally from corner to corner across only that small overlapping square. Open the strips before cutting and confirm that they form one straight continuous strip.

Fold the strips back into the joining position. Cut parallel to the stitched diagonal, leaving a ¼-inch seam allowance. Remove only the small corner triangle and dog-ear points. Do not cut through the length of the binding strip.

Press the diagonal seam open. Repeat until all strips form one continuous binding strip.

Fold the complete strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and the long raw edges matched. Press a crisp center fold without stretching. The finished double-fold binding made from a 2½-inch strip is approximately 1¼ inches wide and ready to attach to the quilt.