Bias Binding or Grosgrain?

[LoveFalafel]

Hi I am new to sewing. I have a query.

I want to make a water resistant baby blanket using a water resistant nylon fabric for the base and fleece fabric for the top.

I want to use a trim to bind the fabrics together and I am confused about whether I should be using bias binding or grosgrain ribbon for the trim. What are the advantages/disadvantages of bias binding versus grosgrain for this application?

Any help much appreciated.

Hi, I would say bias binding, because it is designed to do the job you want to do. There is a really good tutorial here.

I think if you try to use the ribbon, you will find that there are some places where it doesn't line up back and front, which is annoying as well as being untidy! I've tried to use ribbon as a trim and even with a fair amount of sewing experience, much swearing goes into it!!

Let me know how you get on!

I agree with pookamoo, bias binding is whatt you need. Grosgrain ribbon is really designed where you don't want there to be movement within the ribbon (if that makes sense) e.g. for a waistband whereas bias binding is designed to curve/fit around corners and as it is usually sold either already folded in half or within the seams turned in so you can easily iron it in half it is very easy to use as a binding to join the fabrics. It flexs well so if you have several thick layers (as it sounds like you do) then it will fit over them much better than ribbon would.

If you are new to it, it's probably better to go for a wider bias binding than you think you need, which will be more forgiving. It comes in loads of colours, so you can make a feature of it. If you make curved corners on the blanket you will only have one join, too, as cassell says, it can go round corners.

That's great. Thanks for your help.

Hi again,

I just have another quick question.

I am looking at the bindings again and I see that there is also bias piping. When is this used over standard folded bias binding? Is there any functional reason or is it just aesthetic?

Thanks in advance.

Bias piping is more usually used on furniture, for eample cushions, where it goes around the edges. I am not explaining very clearly - there is a picture here where you can see the bias piping on the edges. It is sort of sandwiched between the layers, whereas you want yours to go over the outside of the fabric.

Binding is definitely what you need. See here for some baby bibs which have been finished with pretty bias binding. (actually they look lovely and if I didn't have about 4 million bibs for DD already I would make some of those! )

You can make your own bias binding, there is a handy little gadget you can get. There are numerous tutorials on the net for that as well!

You can make your own bias binding simply by cutting any fabric you like into diagonal strips of the right width (joining the strips into one long binding first). Only gadget you need is an iron.

Great idea falafel BTW.

I spotted this thread title and thought it was under the "baby names" section! was ready to flame you for even suggesting such names for your DC!

But the little gadget makes it so much easier!
See here

I swore a lot and burnt my fingers the last time I made my own with just an iron, now I am putting one of those gadgets on my birthday list!

onestogo ha ha! Maybe also:
Vilene and Crimplene? Good names for DTDs, no?

Absolutely, nothing like a good gadget

I guess it could go in the drawer with my pom pom maker...

OK thanks for all the info on this. I think that I will buy the bias binding (not liking the sound of burnt fingers!)