Calculate Yards for Bias or Straight Cut Strips

When you need a lot of strips for trims, whether it is bias or straight cut, it helps to have a chart to quickly calculate how much flat yardage you need to produce a specific number of yards of strips.
Creative Coordination: Using the same fabric as your main project—or a complementary one—lets you create a cohesive, custom look. Think piping on pillows, edging on table runners, or binding on quilts.
Efficient Use of Fabric: Sewing shorter strips together lets you make long, continuous trim from smaller fabric pieces. This is especially helpful when working with remnants or when the fabric width isn’t enough for a single long strip.

Straight vs. Bias Cut Strips: What’s the Difference?

When working with fabric strips—whether for binding, trimming, or edging—how you cut them makes all the difference in performance and flexibility.

• Straight Cut Strips are cut parallel to the fabric’s selvage (the finished edge). These strips are more rigid and stable, making them ideal for straight edges and projects where you want structure without stretch. Think of them as the dependable, no-nonsense option for clean lines and crisp finishes.
• Bias Cut Strips, on the other hand, are cut at a 45-degree angle to the selvage. This diagonal cut gives the fabric natural stretch and flexibility, which is essential when working around curves. If you’ve ever sewn the rounded edge of a potholder or a neckline, you’ve likely used bias binding—it hugs the shape without puckering.

In short:
Use straight cut for straight edges.
Use bias cut when you need to navigate curves or add a bit of give.

Understanding this difference helps ensure your finished project looks polished and performs beautifully—whether you’re quilting, upholstering, or adding decorative trim.

1 yard (.91 m) of fabric will produce (estimates):		36" wide fabric produces		48" wide fabric produces		54" wide fabric produces
Welt Cord or Ruffle size	Cut (How wide you are cutting your strip?)	Bias	Straight	Bias	Straight	Bias	Straight	Cuts Per Yard
Cord 5/32"	1 1/4"	19 yds	23 yds 21m	25 yds	31 yds 28.3 m	28 yds	35 yds 32 m
Cord 6/32" = 3/16" 5 mm	1 ½" 4 cm	21½ yds 19.7 m	23 yds 21m	29 yds 26.5 m	31 yds 28.3 m	32 ½ yds 29.7 m	35 yds 32 m	24
Cord 10/32" = 5/16" 8 mm	2" 5.2cm	16 yds 14.6 m	17 ½ yds 16 m	21 yds 19.2 m	23 ½ yds 21.5 m	24 yds 21.9 m	26 ½ yds	18
Cord 22/32" = 11/16" 17 mm Chunky Cord	5 ½" 14cm	5 ¾ yds 5.2 m	5 ¾ yds 5.2 m	7 ¾ yds 7 m	7 ¾ yds 7 m	8 ¾ yds 8 m	8 ¾ yds 8 m	6
2" 5. 2 cm Self-lined Ruffle *	5" 12. 7cm		3 yds 2.7 m		4 yds 3.6 m		4 ½ yds 4.1 m	7
3" 7.2 cm Self-lined Ruffle*	7" 18 cm		2 yds 1.8 m		3 yds 2.7 m		3 ¼ yds 2.9 m	5
4" 10.2cm Self-lined Ruffle *	9" 22.9cm		1 ¾ yds 1.6 m		2 2/3 yds 2.1 m		2 2/3 yds 2.4 m	4
5" 12.7 cm Self-lined Ruffle *	11" 27.9cm		1 1/3 yds 1.2 m		1 ¾ yds 1.6 m		2 yds 1.8 m	3
5" 12.7 cm Shirttail Ruffle *	6" 15.2cm		2 2/3 yds 2.4 m		3 ½ yds 3.2 m		4 yds 3.6 m	6

· Yardage is based on 2 times fullness · Shirttail ruffle is unlined with a tiny 1/8" (4 mm) hem