Continuous Bias Binding Calculator

Continuous bias binding calculator. Work out how much you will get from a square, or what size square you will need.

Did you enjoy the tutorial on how to make your own cute bias binding? So now you want to have a go at creating your own. But how much do you need to make? What size square will you need to start with. Or how much will get you from a piece of fabric? There’s nothing worse than running out of bias binding before you get to the end of your project, so make sure you always have enough with this handy Continuous Bias Binding Calculator.

Continuous bias binding calculator. Work out how much you will get from a square, or what size square you will need.

You know from my background in finance that I love working with numbers and formulas and I’ve already shared a couple of handy spreadsheets to use for pattern drafting, for the pencil skirt pattern and the custom fit leggings.

This calculator works out:

    t

  1. How big a square you will need to cut for any length and width of bias binding
  2. t

  3. How much length you will get from a square of a fixed size

And now you can use it right here on the page — no download needed. Want to make enough 2 inch wide strips to bind a quilt measuring 36 x 48 inches? Enter the sides below and you’ll see you need a starting square of fabric 20 inches wide. Have a small piece of fabric left over that is just 6 inches square and want to know how much 1 inch wide continuous strip you could cut? That’s easy too — that little square will give you over 32 inches of tape.

Continuous Bias Binding Calculator
Works in inches or centimetres — just use the same unit everywhere.
1) How big a square do I need?
Finished binding width
Fold type
Rectangle to bind — side 1  side 2 (0 if none — sides are doubled to go all the way around)
Straight length needed  Extra / spare
Seam + wastage allowance %
Cut your strips 2 wide · total tape needed 184.8
➤ Cut a square 20 on each side
2) How much tape will a square give me?
Size of your square (each side)
Cut strip width
➤ You will get about 32.4 of tape
Uses the same allowance you set on the left for seams and wastage.

Get the Continuous Bias Binding Calculator for free
Get the Continuous Bias Binding Calculator for free

You can get the spreadsheet version free from So Sew Easy — choose whatever you would like to pay, including free. It works in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice and most other spreadsheet programs, and includes a printable quick-reference table to pin up next to your sewing machine.

Go to the calculator download

photo credit: lovelihood via photopin cc

Authored by: Deby at So Sew Easy

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27 Responses to Continuous Bias Binding Calculator

  1. Amanda L Badger says:

    Is there anyway to still get this spreadsheet? The link no longer works

  2. Melissa Fimreite says:

    Thank you so much for making these tools for those of us who don’t math well. I was able to download the guide from bluprint with no trouble, but the spreadsheet tool seems to be gone. Is it coming back to the bluprint link any time soon? Or did you squirrel it away somewhere else? Thanks in advance, I really appreciate all the tools you share with your fellow sewstressesses!

  3. Anne says:

    Link to spreadsheet doesn’t work? Pleas help

  4. Anne Redfern says:

    I have just tried to download the spreadsheet too. But I get a message in Dropbox to say the file is not there any more. Help!

  5. Ruth Walker says:

    Hi, I just stumbled into your website – lots of great stuff. I wanted to download the bias tape calculator, but the link doesn’t work – can you reset it please? Thank you.

  6. Joyce Chase says:

    I put on drop box, and when I downloaded the file I was given an error message that this link dies not work. Can you assist me with this?

  7. Leigh says:

    Thank you so much for this Guide. It is fabulous. As soon as I found it, I printed it! It was just what I was looking for! I’ve made continuous bias tape only once but will never go back to making strips. I wanted to make 4 inch tape and was wondering how…your Guide saved me!! I love your site!!! Thank you!!!

  8. Summerdays says:

    I couldn’t figure out where the download link for the printable guide is – until I realized it is right below the Craftsy advert! I’m “blind” to adverts (read: “Ignorant of them”!) and thus couldn’t find the link! 😉 LOL!
    Thank you VERY MUCH Deby – this is such a handy gift to have! I really appreciate! I hate using bias binding for this exact reason, I either have miles too much, or too little and I never know how much fabric to buy initially – so now I’ll probably start using it! Thank you!

  9. Teresa Robson says:

    What a great tool!! Thank you for making that for us! I would never have been able to figure out how to create such a dynamic table.

  10. Kathe Fogleman says:

    I just downloaded drop box so I could access the bias binding calculator but it appears to be a photo of the spreadsheet. Numbers are already fixed in, I can’t change width of fabric strip or length. HOw do I access the interactive spreadsheet?

    • Teresa Robson says:

      Kathe, I just used the calculator successfully – when the Dropbox option popped up, I chose “No Thanks” to downloading/saving to Dropbox. The next screen then opens with the calculator that allows you to manipulate the numbers in the boxes. (So apparently when you download to Dropbox, what’s saved in Dropbox is the chart with the current numbers and you can’t change the numbers in Dropbox.) So skip the Dropbox part and you should be able to put you own numbers into the chart. (My guess is that if you want to save your specific calculations after you’ve put your numbers in the alterable chart, THEN you can save to Dropbox which will save a copy of the chart with YOUR numbers.)

  11. Katherine Melvin says:

    All I can say is THANK YOU, YOU SAVED ME A TON OF TIME!!!!!

  12. Teresa says:

    I am unable to use the calculator on the web site, unable to download it , unable to find it for sale, tried the google search for it and get nothing in return. Where is the darn thing??

    agnesethel@hotmail.com

  13. Karen Kelbert says:

    I just found your bias tape calculator. I need to make a mountain of bias tape (40 + meters worth) to edge seat covers, for both son’s truck and my car. Now I know I have the right amount of matching fabric. As there was only a limited amount of the one fabric I was really concerned. Now I know I will have plenty. Thanks for the handy tool.

  14. Marti says:

    You’re so good! This is so handy. I’ve never made bias tape but when I do I will refer to this! Thanks for sharing it..pinned!

    Marti

  15. Diane Cullum says:

    Yay! What a sweet gift! I can’t wait to try this out. I’ve made bias tape for years but not your method with a square piece of fabric. Now I’m extra anxious to make some! Thank you Deby!

  16. joni says:

    This is so useful -thank you very much for doing this- I have always done far more than I needed, as it is such a pain running out. No more of that! Joan xx

  17. Anne says:

    This is so awesome! I am generally good at geometry but trying to figure how big a square I need to make so many diagonal strips makes my head hurt. Thank you for sharing this!! I’ve linked to your post on Craft Gossip:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-continous-bias-binding-plus-a-calculator/2014/02/23/
    –Anne

  18. Deborah says:

    This is awesome! Thank you for sharing with us. I’ve downloaded both and am pinning so I can’t lose this. ~Deborah

  19. Krista says:

    That’s so handy! Thank you! 🙂

  20. Jill says:

    You are awesome! I’ve often thought about making a spreadsheet like this but a calculator is so much better! Thanks for doing all the legwork and sharing!

    • Deby at So Sew Easy says:

      Glad you like it Jill. Do share it around, I found it hard to describe what it does, but I think once you try it, both the table and the calculator, a person can see how useful it is. Combine it with my new love of the bias tape maker and I’ve got more than I’ll use all year!

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