settlers peace: My thoughts on Quilt Bindings

Let's just say that I tend to be experimental to the bitter end of getting a quilt done. But there are some things that are consistent in getting the binding done. I thought that I'd share those here in a tutorial of sorts, the way that I do them, certainly not the only way.

I cut my binding strips across the width of fabric in 2 inch strips. I pin the strips to join them at an angle, to reduce bulk.

Sew in a straight line from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.

Trim 1/4" from seamline - take the triangle off, and press to one side. Join as many WOF cuts as needed to bind your quilt, into one long strip.

At one end of your strip, cut a 45 degree angle. It's hard to explain, but the longer edge of the binding needs to be the side that will be against the quilt when you sew it on. See the photos in the next few steps.

Turn and press under a 1/4-1/2" along the 45 degree angle.

Press the binding strip in half, lengthwise. And go ahead and trim off that little triangle.

If I am planning on finishing the binding off by hand, I sew the binding to the front of the quilt. If I am planning on doing it all on the machine, I start by stitching it to the back of the quilt. This is where some of the experimental part can come in. In other words, your choice, see what works best for you.

I begin pinning the binding down in a random spot, kind of eyeing to see that the seams of the binding strip won't land on a corner. I think that pinning in rather crucial to the binding not getting wavy when its done. I lengthen my stitch by 2 lines (on my Bernina), and sew with a scant/skinny 1/4" seam. Hop over the edge of the binding angle by about an inch, and then start sewing again. If you miss the hop, you can unstitch later.

Continue sewing to the corner. I stop about 1/4" from the edge and take a few back stitches. I used to turn and sew off to the point, but I find that just stopping works better for me.

Fold the binding away from the quilt and then back on top of itself to make a tidy corner.

I begin sewing from the very edge of the corners.

When you have made it around the quilt and are coming up to the open tunnel of the binding beginning, continue pinning the binding down. Trim the binding long enough to neatly tuck inside the binding tunnel, without too much excess bulk.

Finish pinning and sew the binding down, overlapping with the beginning stitches.

Now that the binding is on, I take the quilt to the ironing board and set the seams. Then I press the binding to the edge of the quilt, turn the quilt over and press it down where I will be stitching it. If I am going to stitch it down by hand, I use the hair snap clips to hold it in place. If I am going to stitch it down by machine, I use straight pins, and pin parallel to the stitch line.

Stitching it down by machine is quick and durable through many washings and tugs of use. I have used the basic straight stitch, a blanket stitch, zig-zag, and other decorative stitches to finish it off. I generally prefer that my thread match the binding, and the bobbin thread match the backing. Im usually tired at this point, and nearing the home stretch, I really don't want my stitching to stand out. I'm looking for done.

I stitch very close to the edge of the binding, and continue using a longer stitch, as I had earlier.

If you are so inclined, hand stitch the binding at the joining area. If I am doing all machine work, I usually pass on this, it's so tight and full, it's not going anywhere.

And another project is d-o-n-e.

If you have any questions, please ask.

Comments

Your presentation and the February meeting on binding and this tutorial are fabulous! I am no longer afraid of binding...seriously!
Thank you! :)

Posted by: angie | March 08, 2011 at 01:32 PM

I was so sad to miss your presentation last month, so thrilled to see this. And you. are. frigging. brilliant. Love the way you connect the ends. Way, way, way better than anything else I've ever seen and I cant wait to try it on one of the quilts currently glaring at me to finish them.

Posted by: Susan Lewis | March 09, 2011 at 01:12 PM

Thank you thank you thank you for posting this!!!! I was at the Feb meeting, and I have little kids who I'm convinced eat my brain. I have been anxious to try your binding technique! thanks again :)

Posted by: april | March 10, 2011 at 10:58 PM

omg thank you for this! I HATE joining the binding together at the end, it's the most annoying part. I'll have to try your way on my next quilt! so once it's tucked in you don't have to do anything to the little "pocket"?

Posted by: yahaira | May 05, 2011 at 09:02 AM