Calculator and written guide

How to Make Continuous Bias Quilt Binding

Calculate the square you need, follow the written steps, and open a trusted live-action demonstration from the original publisher.

External live-action reference

See the Technique in Fabric

American Patchwork & Quilting / AllPeopleQuilt provides the approved live continuous-bias demonstration on its own website.

Watch the Live Continuous-Bias Demonstration

Opens the original AllPeopleQuilt tutorial in a new tab. The demonstration is published and hosted by American Patchwork & Quilting / AllPeopleQuilt, not Old Man Quilting.

Continuous Bias Binding Steps

  1. Use the Quilt Binding Calculator and cut one fabric square at its final recommended measurement.
  2. Cut that one square diagonally from corner to corner. The two triangles both come from the same fabric square.
  3. Reposition the two triangles into a parallelogram. Sew the straight-grain edges right sides together with a ¼-inch seam and press it open.
  4. On the wrong side, mark parallel lines at the selected binding-strip width.
  5. Bring the straight edges right sides together to form a tube. Offset the edges by one marked strip, then sew and press the seam.
  6. Start at the overhanging tail and cut continuously along the marked spiral. Do not cut each ring separately.
  7. Fold the strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press gently without stretching the bias edges.
60 × 80-inch example: Cut one 29½ × 29½-inch fabric square. You need one fabric square—not two squares. The diagonal cut makes two triangles from that same square.

Written Continuous-Bias Instructions

How to Make Continuous Bias Quilt Binding

Use the quilt binding calculator's final recommended square measurement. For the 60 by 80 inch example, cut one 29½ by 29½-inch fabric square. You need one fabric square, not two squares.

Cut that one square diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner. This creates two triangles from the same fabric square.

Reposition the two triangles into a parallelogram. Place the straight-grain edges right sides together, sew with a ¼-inch seam, and press the seam open.

On the wrong side of the parallelogram, mark parallel cutting lines at the selected strip width. For the example, place the lines 2½ inches apart.

Bring the straight edges right sides together to form a tube. Offset the edges by one marked strip so each marked line meets the next line across the seam. The tube will look twisted. That is correct. Pin carefully, sew with a ¼-inch seam, and press the seam open.

Begin at the overhanging tail and cut continuously along the marked spiral. Do not cut each ring separately. The tube opens into one long continuous bias strip.

Fold the strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and the long raw edges matched. Press gently without stretching the bias edges. The continuous bias binding is ready to attach to the quilt.

Download the plain-text instructions