The standard for binding is 2.5″ strips. I usually do 2.5″ strips and that is what will be used in this blog post, but if you want a wider chunky binding look you can go with a wider strip width.
Cut 2.5″ strips from your binding fabric. You really want to use yardage and not fat quarters for your binding fabric, otherwise it is wayyyy more work. I generally cut all the strips I can for the amount of fabric the pattern calls for (i.e. The pattern says a 1/2 yard for binding- I cut up my 1/2 yard into all the 2.5″ strips possible). Extra binding you can always use for scraps or whatever you want, but being short like three inches of binding once you start sewing it on is extremely aggravating (yes, it has happened to me at least twice).
Cut off the selvedge edges.
You now have multiple strips of binding with no selvedge.
Iron the fold flat.
Now grab two strips of fabric and lay them on top of each other as shown below.
When I first started out I would draw a diagonal line where they meet in the top left to where they meet in the bottom right, then sew along that line. I have made enough binding that I can eyeball the line almost perfectly now without drawing it on, so I skip that step now.
Now you cut off the edge about a 1/4″ from your seam line. You can do this with a rotary cutter or eyeball it with scissors.
Iron your seam open.
Continue this process until all of your binding strips are connected in this manner.
Once you have a long strips of fabric you fold the piece of fabric in half (with the right side showing) and iron all of the binding in that manner.
You will then have a long strip of folded flat binding.
If you are planning on sewing the binding immediately onto your quilt, you are good to go. If you are going to wait a while to sew the binding on, then you should roll it up for storage. There are multiple ways to do this, some people using binding babies (sewing tool) or coffee cans.
I use my hand to roll it up for storage. Get the fabric between a couple of your fingers, then wind it around and around until you are out of binding, then slip your fingers out and you have a roll of binding.
That is it. Happy sewing!
