continuous bias binding-warning!

I have done the "tube" thing and have cut bias strips and stitched them together, and find that just cutting the bias strips and stitching them is much quicker, because of cutting the strips with the rotary cutter on the mat.

If you have a little mat (I think mine is about 8X11"), you can slip it inside the tube and use your cutter and ruler to cut the continuous binding. A bit fiddly still, but accurate. You just have to keep rotating the tube. The crucial step is when you sew the tube together: you need to offset the seam by the desired width of your strip.

OTOH, I d>I have done the "tube" thing and have cut bias strips and stitched

ROTFL. Long long ago I tried the tube thing and came to the same conclusion. I'd completely forgotten it till I read this.

Now, if I could just stop giving my strips a half twist when I sew them together.

Susan K

I would guess that this pre-dates rotary cutters. That's the only time I ever used it.

Linda PATCHogue, NY Queen of Boxtops

That 'Noel' quilt I made had something like 465" of vines. All I did was establish true bias and cut. Fortunately, there was an extra pair of hands here to firmly hold the far end of my really long ruler. In fact, it seems like we had to stack rulers to go at 45°across 45" width of fabric. Thank you for telling us that the tube method is fiddly. I had thought I'd try it sometime. If it has no terrific advantage, I won't. One of the wonderful benefits of rctq is that we can warn each other about good ideas that are not so good. Polly

"Roberta" If you have a little mat (I think mine is about 8X11"), you can slip

ly. =EF=BF=BDI had thought

=EF=BF=BDOne of the

The only time I find it useful is when I'm making LOTS of bias binding, as for a large quilt. And then I have to dig out the book with the instructions and learn how to do it all over again. joan

My method of continuous tube binding is on my site. (Below my siggie)Take a look. It worked for me.

I used to use bias binding on all of my quilts, before I discovered that crossgrain binding worked just as well on straight edges. I always made it with the tube method and a skinny mat so I could use my rotary cutter; it always worked quite well for me.

These are the instructions that I refer to every time I need binding (somehow bias instructions just don't stick in my brain!) :) I like that I can make just the amount that I need. And the trick about cutting on an ironing board helps too.

Allison

Rita wrote:

That's the method I used. It just took far longer than simply cutting the strips on the bias and sewing them together would have. Lobo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Delete the obvious to reply to me personally. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I haven't really done the tube thing because you end up with some very short pieces and seams really close together doing it. Polly, when I cut bias from yardage I fold the cut edge to the selvedge (or selvedge to cut edge) and then fold so the original fold is "on top of itself". (Hope that makes sense.) That way I can cut a shorter bit and still get long, straight pieces. (As long as I cut perpendicular to the second fold.) Often I cut a sliver of the first fold off to get my cut edge, then go from there. Sometimes I don't even cut strips from the "small" triangle, I save it to cut other pieces from.

HTH, Have fun, Pati, in Phx

Glad it is some help!!!!!!!

Glad it worked for you Lobo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Howdy!

Rita's instructions work for me:

R/Sandy - bias binding is the only way for curves YMMV

p.s. Sending hugs & prayers, Rita&Martin

Howdy!

But- but - but: It does work! And b.b. is so good for curves. W/ Rita's instructions, continuous bias binding is my friend. ;-D

So glad it works!!!!!!! In re Martin: My neighbors are planning a surprise birthday party for his 90th birthday this Saturday! Need prayers that it will go well because Martin became very ill this past Sunday and is still recuperating. He had very high temp and even collapsed at one point. He has been hospitalized for this 5x and they could not find what causes it. I was petrified that it was H1N1 virus. Neighbors who have been so helpful brought him to the doctor and as happened in the past, could not find what cases this. He's feeling a bit better but it will take time.

Prayers are winging their way to you and Martin. I hope he's feeling well enough to enjoy his celebration on Saturday.

Bless you...Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rita: Prayers for Martin, you, and those helpful neighbors are on the way! Pat in Virginia