I also do a double binding (we used to call it a French binding - I dont' know why), but I only cut my strips 2" wide, except for flannels. I cut those 2 1/2."

I would use the color brown, the same as the brown wrecker for the binding. I use double fold bias binding strips, cut 2 1/2 " wide before folding.

Black would be a great choice, but I'd almost audition a "Lightning McQueen" red....

As for how I make binding, I make it like Ninnie said, but I use 2 1/4 inch wide strips.

Dittoes!
I like to machine stitch my binding (Elenor Burns) and I inevitably miss the binding on anything less than three inches, folded in half.

If you could get enough of that red checkered flag material from under the panel to make a binding, that would look great on the outside. I'd use that, then make continuous bias binding 2-3/4" wide folded. The bias would make the pattern twist around the quilt and that little extra width would show it off more. My grandson would love that quilt!

Very, very cute!! I vote for a black binding too. I make mine 2-1/4 wide and double folded; I like a very narrow binding strip.

I made a quilt out of the same panel a couple years ago, but mine did not turn out as cute as yours. I did trapunto the big cars and logo, though, which added a dimension that kids seem to love.

Rosemary128 - Did you ever decide? Can you post a pic of the completed quilt?

I made one very similar for my grandson last year. I used white and black sm 9 patch on the corners to represent the 'checkered flag'. I also did sashings between the blocks with the flag in the corner as well. I love the double fold method. Sure makes the hand sewing easier!

Nice quilt!!! Whatever you choose will be beautiful.

Especially for children's quilts, some people apply the binding to the back of the quilt, and then top stitch it down on the front.

Sometimes it helps to make a sandwich (a mini front, batting, and back) and experiment (with scrap materials) to get the width you want.

I highly recommend using the two layer binding. If/When the top layer wears out, there's still a layer of fabric to protect the edges.

I also recommend using a bias cut binding on a child's quilt - I"ve heard that it wears a bit better because more than one thread is exposed at the edge.