How To Calculate Binding For A Quilt

How to Calculate Binding for Your Quilt: A Comprehensive Guide

Making a quilt is a labor of love, a testament to patience and precision. But even the most beautifully pieced quilt can be let down by poorly applied binding. Accurate binding calculation is crucial for a professional finish that elevates your entire project. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring your next quilt boasts a perfectly finished edge.

Understanding Quilt Binding: Types and Considerations

Before diving into calculations, let's understand the different types of quilt binding and their implications:

1. Single Binding: Simple and Classic

Single binding uses a single strip of fabric wrapped around the quilt's perimeter. It's the most common method, ideal for beginners due to its simplicity. However, it can show more of the quilt's backing fabric, especially with lighter-colored quilts.

2. Double Binding: Clean and Professional

Double binding involves two strips of fabric, one sewn to the quilt top and backing, and the other folded over to conceal the raw edges. This creates a clean, professional finish, hiding the raw edges completely. It's slightly more complex than single binding but offers a more polished look.

3. Bias Binding: Flexible and Elegant

Bias binding, cut on the bias of the fabric (at a 45-degree angle), offers flexibility and conforms beautifully to curves. While it adds an extra layer of complexity in calculating yardage, it's particularly elegant for quilts with rounded edges or complex shapes.

Calculating Binding for Single Binding

The method for calculating single binding is relatively straightforward. The key is to accurately measure your quilt's perimeter.

1. Measure Your Quilt's Perimeter:

Use a flexible measuring tape to carefully measure all four sides of your quilt. Add these measurements together. This is your total perimeter.

Example:

• Side 1: 60 inches
• Side 2: 80 inches
• Side 3: 60 inches
• Side 4: 80 inches

Total perimeter: 60 + 80 + 60 + 80 = 280 inches

2. Account for Seam Allowance and Overlap:

Adding seam allowance is crucial. You'll need extra fabric to create a seam when joining the binding strips and to overlap the ends neatly. A good rule of thumb is to add 15-20% to the total perimeter.

Example (using 20%):

• Total perimeter: 280 inches
• 20% of 280 inches: 56 inches
• Total binding length needed: 280 + 56 = 336 inches

3. Consider Binding Width:

Binding strips are typically cut between 2 1/2 inches and 4 inches wide. Wider binding provides a more substantial border but requires more fabric. This width is important to know because the actual length needed for the binding is often measured in units of that width.

Example (using 2 1/2 inch binding):

• Total binding length needed: 336 inches
• Binding strips length per unit: 336 inches / 2.5 inches/unit = 134.4 units. Since fabric is sold in whole numbers, you will have to round up to the nearest whole number.

4. Adjust for Joining Strips:

The final measurement is the amount of fabric that you will actually buy. This takes into account the need to join multiple strips together to reach the required length.

Example (using 2 1/2 inch wide strips, and a fabric width of 44 inches):

• Number of strips needed: 135 units

• Length of each strip: 44 inches

• Number of strips at 44 inches each: 135 / 44 = 3.07. Since you can only buy whole numbers of fabric you will have to round up.

• Number of 44-inch strips needed: 4

• Total fabric needed: 4 x 44 inches = 176 inches. This translates to approximately 4.5 yards (44 inches = 1 yard, 176 inches = 4.5 yards).

Important Note: Always buy extra fabric. It's better to have extra than to run short, especially with bold or unique patterns.

Calculating Binding for Double Binding

Double binding requires slightly more calculation, as you'll need two strips of fabric. The process is almost identical to single binding, with an important distinction:

1. Measure and Account for Seam Allowance:

Follow steps 1 and 2 from the single binding calculation. Your total perimeter calculation remains the same.

2. Factor in Double the Width:

Because you need two layers of binding, you need to double the chosen binding width.

Example (using 2 1/2 inch wide binding strips for each layer):

• Total binding length needed (from single binding calculation): 336 inches
• Total width for double binding: 2.5 inches x 2 = 5 inches

3. Calculate total length per unit of binding:

We will take the calculation from before for the required length of binding and use the width of the double binding to determine how many units we need. Remember, you will need to round up to the nearest whole number.

Example:

• Total binding length needed: 336 inches
• Binding strips length per unit: 336 inches / 5 inches/unit = 67.2 units. Since fabric is sold in whole numbers, you will have to round up to the nearest whole number.
• Number of units needed: 68 units

4. Adjust for Joining Strips:

This step is similar to the single binding calculation. Calculate the number of strips you'll need based on your fabric width and adjust accordingly.

Example (using 2 1/2 inch wide strips, and a fabric width of 44 inches):

• Number of strips needed: 68 units

• Length of each strip: 44 inches

• Number of strips at 44 inches each: 68 / 44 = 1.55. Since you can only buy whole numbers of fabric you will have to round up.

• Number of 44-inch strips needed: 2

• Total fabric needed: 2 x 44 inches = 88 inches. This translates to approximately 2.25 yards (44 inches = 1 yard, 88 inches = 2.25 yards).

Calculating Binding for Bias Binding

Bias binding adds another layer of complexity, as the cutting angle changes the fabric's effective width.

1. Measure and Account for Seam Allowance:

This remains the same as the previous calculations.

2. Determine Bias Binding Width:

Measure the finished width you want your bias binding to be. This is typically narrower than straight-grain binding, ranging from 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 inches.

3. Account for Bias Cutting:

Bias cutting stretches the fabric, so you'll need to account for this extra length. A general rule of thumb is to add 15-20% to the total perimeter, potentially more depending on the fabric's stretch.

4. Calculate Total Bias Binding Needed:

Use the increased length (accounting for bias stretch) and the chosen bias binding width to determine the number of strips you'll need and adjust for the necessary seam allowance.

Tips and Tricks for Accurate Binding Calculation

• Use a rotary cutter and ruler for precise cutting: This ensures consistent width and minimizes fabric waste.
• Pre-wash your fabric: This prevents shrinkage after the quilt is completed.
• Choose a coordinating or contrasting binding: Consider the overall aesthetic of your quilt when selecting your binding fabric.
• Don't be afraid to experiment: Different fabrics behave differently; practicing with scraps can help you refine your approach.
• Consider your sewing machine: Some machines may have difficulty handling thicker binding, so adjust your stitch length as needed.

By following these steps and understanding the nuances of different binding types, you can accurately calculate the amount of fabric needed for your next quilt project, ensuring a beautifully finished heirloom. Remember, precision and attention to detail are key to achieving a professional look, and with a little practice, your binding will be the perfect finishing touch to your quilts.