Quilt Along 15: Making and Sewing Binding

 

The binding we're making for this quilt is straight-grain double-fold binding.  The strips we cut for our binding were cut on the grain, rather than on the bias.  There are pros and cons to both straight-grain and bias binding. 

Straight-grain binding:

• Requires less fabric

• Is easier to work with, particularly for making sharp corners.

Bias binding:

• Is useful for binding curved edges

• Can be a more interesting way to show off geometric prints like plaids or stripes

• May wear longer, since the creases aren't right on the grain

I use straight-grain binding for most quilts and think it's a good choice for a simple quilt like this. 

Start by cutting enough 2.5" strips to go around your finished quilt, plus a couple of extra inches.  Trim away selvedges.

I usually sew my binding together end-to-end, using a half inch seam allowance.  If you do this, be sure to use a slightly smaller than normal stitch to prevent the seam from pulling apart as you work.

 

Alternately, you can sew bias seams in your binding, as shown above.  Sewing bias seams isn't strictly necessary, but can result in somewhat less pressure on the seam. 

Use the method you feel most comfortable with.  Personally, I think that pieced binding (as in the example above) looks best when sewn together end-to-end.  If you're using a solid or a smaller or non-geometric print, the way you sew your binding strips together is going to be less apparent on your finished quilt.

 

Once your binding strips are sewn together, press the entire length in half with wrong sides together. 

You can begin pinning your binding at any point on your quilt.  I would just suggest doing it at least a foot from any corner.  (As you pin, the raw edges of your binding should line up with the edge of your quilt, wih the fold on the inside.)

If you find that any of the seams in your binding ball within an inch or so of a corner, you may want to unpin everything and adjust your binding to prevent this.  Having a seam at the conrner can make achieving perfect mitered corners difficult!

When you come to a corner, you'll need to fold the binding in a specific way in order to make a perfect mitered corner.  Start by folding the binding perpendicular to the side you just pinned, as shown above.

Then fold the binding back, as shown above, making sure that the fold is lined up with the edge of the quilt.

 

Turn the folded area so it looks like the above photo and pin in place.

Continue pinning around the entire quilt, repeating the last few steps at each corner.

When you reach the point where the two ends meet, trim away excess fabric and remove the necessary pins to make your binding look like the above photo.  Press the area, creating creases where the two ends meet.

Remove enough pins to allow you to use the crease you just pressed as a guide to sew the two ends together.

Trim the seam allowance to about half an inch and refold, press and pin the binding back in place.  You should now have continuous binding pinned all the way around your quilt.

Sew your binding to the quilt.  I use a 3/8 inch seam allowance, because I like my binding to fit tightly.  If you'd like a little more ease in your binding, you may want to use a 1/4 inch seam allowance instead.  If you have a walking/even-feed foot, you might consider using it here.  If you don't, you may need to lengthen your stitch and turn up your tension slightly to get a nice stitch through all the layers.

When you reach a corner, sew up to the diagonal fold in your binding, as shown above, and backstitch to secure.

Fold the binding back over the area you just sewed and, starting at the corner, continue sewing the binding along the next side.

Sew all the way around your quilt, repeating the last two steps at each corner.

 

Turn your binding to the back of your quilt.  To secure while you sew, you can use pins or binding clips like the ones shown above.  They look and work like hair clips, but are actually designed to hold binding in place while you sew.  (Don't put them in your hair though!  They don't have the same kind of rubbery guards that actual hair clips do.)

 

I like to use a "knotless" start when sewing binding.  To do this, fold a length of thread in half and thread the fold/loop through a sharp needle.  Pull the threads so the loop is at the long end of the thread and the loose ends are up near the eye.  Insert your needle into your quilt sandwich near the edge of your binding and pull it back up through the binding, leaving the loop as shown above. 

 

Thread the needle back through this loop . . .

 

. . . and pull, making a nice little anchor to start your stitching.

 

Begin sewing your binding down, making a stitch every quarter inch or so.  As you sew, make sure that you're pulling your needle and thread through the quilt back and into your batting, but not back through the front of your quilt. 

 

Sew around each corner, folding the binding into a nice mitered corner, as shown.  Continue sewing all the way around the quilt, until all binding is secured.

  

And that's it!  Your binding (and your quilt) is done. 

Comments

[kangaroo]

I SO much appreciate this post. Every time I bind a quilt I have to re-teach myself, and I've been wanting to piece some fun bindings for my boys rather solid quilts...this is the perfect tutorial. Thank you--beautiful work!

[Cris]

Great tutorial for the corners, I, m going to need it for my quilt ;) thanks

[Zarina]

Same here. The PDF of the instruction that I have does not show in details like yours. Thank you Elizabeth for this quilt-along project. One of the grandest thing in blogland.

[Dorothee]

Excellent tutorial, especially the corner bit!

[sparkly green knickers]

I always get stuck on joining the two ends of the binding, so thanks for the tips! Genius!

[jennie_hi]

Hi...

Loved how your quilts came along. Though you probably need one more tutorial....on labeling. :)

[Jean]

Great tutorial on binding, I am less intimidated with every set of instructions you've given! Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into this quilt along. I can't wait to see your finshed, bound quilts! And can't wait to see what you're doing next!

[MaryP]

I dig the tip on knotless starts--no more knots for me!

[Amy]

A step that I have recently found useful...
before you bin the binding back, press it. Press from the body of the quilt to the binding. For me I find that it helps...

I liked seeing how you butted the ends together...

[Valerie]

Your corners are so perfect, I bow to your mitering excellence!

[Alissa]

My first quilt top has been sitting under my stairs for three years, waiting for me to finish it. The binding is the part that scares me the most. With your tutorial, I think I can pull it off without wrecking the top! Thank you so very much!

[Mary Perrine]

Ok now I will have to see whether my corners will be as neat and flat as yours. Thanks!!

[Emily C]

I just wanted to share my "different" way of sewing on bindings. I do everything pretty much the same way as you, but personally I don't like the look of seeing the thread and stitches on the back side of the quilt binding. I use a blind stitch (I don't know if this is exactly what it's called) to sew the binding on. I just stitch from underneath the binding as close to the folded edge as possible and only go thru one layer of binding fabric. It holds really well, and I don't have to see my stitches.
You can see what it looks like here:
http://creativechicksatplay.blogspot.com/2009/03/ashlee-gets-first-dibs.html
and here: http://creativechicksatplay.blogspot.com/2009/02/birthday-surprise.html

[yafit hos]

Thanks this is right on time.

Yafit Hos
Israel

[Jane Weston]

Your stitching is so accurate! Beautifully done!

[CC]

wow - i love your neat corners. This is a new method of binding for me and i will definitely give it a try as it looks less bulky - and if i can get corners like that - well :-)

[molly]

This is so amazing, I've never been able to figure out the whole corner thing, despite reading several explanations. Your pictures and descriptions are fantastic. Thanks so much!

[amanda]

Oh wow how I needed this tutorial! I have been following your blog for a while now and I have learned A LOT from you! You're part of the reason I started doing quilts.
I have yet to successfully hand bind a quilt this way, I have taken the lazy machine stitch route that doesn't look so neat on one side. I am looking forward to trying this again on my next quilt. THANKS!!

[Jill]

Here's my question, and it comes from ignorance - can you bind a quilt with a machine or is it only done by hand? I'm a newbie and learning so much, thank you Oh Fransson!

[staci]

I thank you for the tip on the "knotless" beginning! How simple - yet I never thought of it. Never again will I have to tuck and hide the ends of the know into the binding!

[Frogdancer]

OMG!!! Continuous binding???!!!?

Bookmarking this post! Thanks...

[Francie]

you do such beautiful, careful work. i am so impressed.

[Miss Snips]

your photos and process are very well done. I personally use a slightly different method -- but not so different than yours I make my binding double and therefore the edges of the quilt do not wear thin in a couple of years, especially the ones washed over and over. My bindings last longer than the quilt.

[Melanie]

Hi,
I was just wondering why you only use one layer for the binding?
I've seen binding done a few different ways but have never seen it done with only one layer (usually with the fabric folded over double) so I was hoping you would be able to share why you do it this way with me :)
Cheers
Melanie

[Annemiek]

I do it pretty much the same, except I use double layers and join beginning and end with a bias seam. I'm amazed by your corners! You get them só straight almost like you folded paper. They're absolutely perfect!