Bias binding - the edge of a blanket

Continuous bias binding

I am getting nearer to the point where I will finally finish the edge of the quilted blanket I've been working on.  So far, I've only made baby blankets where I sew them inside out, so I've never had to worry about finishing the edges. The bias binding will cover over the raw edges, like tape but sewn on instead.  It's amazing how many different ways there are to cut and fold and then sew super long thin pieces of fabric so that it will wrap around a blanket or quilt.

And apparently, it's not as easy as cutting long strips and sewing them together.  You want the strips to be cut and attached on the diagonal (bias) so that it "gives" nicely-er and it's sturdier.

So there are 2 main methods of cutting the strips: 

Method #1: Sewing strips  - together

Method #2: "Quick" Bias Binding - X cut - creating a "tube" of fabric, cutting strips (rings) with a rotary cutter, then rip out seams then restitch.

Alteration of #2: Creating the tube of fabric but drawing lines and cutting with shears so that you ultimately have 1 long strip with no unstiching necessary

I understood method #2 so I went that route since I hate cutting fabric with scissors more than I hate ripping out seams.  I practiced on a cheapy piece of fabric first and I'm glad I did since I have trouble following directions. 

And then there are different ways to fold and iron your strips:

#1: buy a machine that pulls, folds and irons your strips

#2: pull it through a metal inexpensive doo-hickey and iron it as it comes out the other end

#3: good old fashioned way: fold and iron

#4: shirley's-i'm-going-to-do-it-my-own-way - draw lines on a piece of fabric to show where the folds should be, spray the dickens out of it, and iron, pin and roll as you go.

Sometimes you only want it to be folded in half  with the raw edges showing and other times you want it to be folded in half with the edges fold in under it (3 folds) depending on what comes next.  I failed to understand the next step of sewing so I went the hard route and made mine with 3 folds.  But it's okay, cuz it'll still look nice.

Next up: actually sewing the binding to the quilted blanket and "miter"ing the corners.  omg. what the heck is a miter.