Bias Binding

• 1). Measure the width and length of the fabric with a measuring tape. If your fabric is wider than it is long, you will have to lap the top of the fabric over the end of it to cut the bias strips. Lay the fabric on a work surface, pick up one of the corners and bring it to the selvage edge of the fabric, creating a triangle.
  
  
• 2). Smooth the fold you created with your hand or pin it in several places. Set up the ironing board and heat the iron. Place the fold on the ironing board and iron along the fold to create a straight crease.
  
  
• 3). Cut the fold apart with scissors. Decide how wide you want to make the binding. Multiply the width by two and add 1 inch for the seam and the hem.
  
  
• 4). Use the tape measure to mark the width for the binding and mark the position with a piece of chalk. You can also cut a piece of paper to the width of your binding to lay on the fabric to use as a guide for cutting. Once you cut up to the top of the paper, slide it to the next uncut section until you have cut the whole length.
  
  
• 5). Continue to cut as many strips as you need for the length and width of your fabric. The ends of the binding will be at an angle and you will need to trim them off to join straight pieces together. Place the right sides together and join the strips with a sewing machine, using a 1/2-inch seam.
  
  

Cutting Straight Binding

• 1). Lay the fabric on the table with the fold facing you and smooth out any wrinkles.
  
  
• 2). Determine the width of the binding. Multiply it by two and add 1 inch for the seam and hem. Mark the width using a tape measure and either pins or chalk. Cut the strips. When you have cut the length of the strip, cut the fold apart.
  
  
• 3). Continue to cut as many strips as you need to bind the fabric. Sew the pieces together with the right sides together.