Continuous Bias Binding Tutorial

I'm getting ready to piece a Swiss Chocolate table runner and I wanted to get some binding prepared.  Since this table runner sit on a dark wood table, I thought my mocha ribbon print in blues and cream would be a good choice  I love the way striped prints look when they are cut on the bias!  If you haven't made continuous bias binding before I thought I might show you the steps.

First, cut a square of fabric.  I'm making extra here - probably to bind my Blog-a-palooza Mocha quilt - so my square is big - 40".

Cut the square in half diagonally...

And flip the upper right piece over, pinning down the left side of both fabrics.  (Be sure to check that the prints of the two fabric pieces are running the same direction if you are using a directional print.) 

Sew the pinned edge wth a 1/4" seam and press open. Spread out again, so the wrong side of the fabric is facing up.  Align your ruler with the slanted edge of your fabric, and draw lines parallel to that edge every 2-1/4".  Cut off excess fabric.  (Sorry for the dark picture, you all, but sometimes late night sewing is a necessity here.)

Now pin the edges together, making sure that the pencil lines meet at a point 1/4" in from the edge of the fabric.  You will offset your lines by one as you do this, which is what gives you a CONTINUOUS BIAS STRIP.  Sew with a 1/4" seam press open.  The picture belows shows what the offset will look like.

Cut along the lines.  Beg your daughter to iron the strip in half lengthwise and you'll have your own bundle of continuous bias goodness...  (Thanks, Cait!)

Happy sewing!
Amanda