Measure the outer edges of the quilt.
Quilters finish most quilts by applying a binding around the edges. The binding encloses the raw edges of the three quilt layers: top, batting, and backing. To determine how much fabric is needed for the binding, the perimeter or distance around the outer edge of the quilt must be calculated.
Instructions
1. Measure the length of the sides of a rectangular or square quilt. Add together these dimensions to find the quilt's perimeter.
2. Assume the long sides of a rectangular quilt are 80 inches each, for example, and the short sides measure 54 inches each. Add the lengths of the four sides: 80 plus 80 plus 52 plus 52 equal 264 inches. The perimeter is 264 inches or 22 feet (264 inches divided by 12 inches).
3. Cut your binding either on the straight of grain or on the bias. Straight-grain bindings are easier to cut and use less material, but they are weaker and less flexible. Bias-cut bindings are harder to cut and waste more material, but are stronger, stretch better and work well on curves.
4. Use the perimeter number calculated to determine the amount of fabric needed to bind the quilt. Most quilts are large enough that you must piece the binding from several lengths of fabric. Add 12 inches to the sum you determined for the perimeter, since you have to sew together these lengths. You will need the same length of fabric to bind you quilt whether you use material cut on the straight of the grain or on the bias. However, cutting on the bias often results in leftover, wasted material, since you cut it at an angle.
