Master the Art of Machine Sewing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Binding Your Quilt

Quilting is a beloved and time-honored tradition that has been passed down for generations. The intricate patterns and careful stitching create pieces of art that can be cherished for years to come. However, one daunting aspect of quilting is adding the binding. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start when faced with this task. But fear not, because in this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of machine sewing a binding onto a quilt. By the end, you’ll have the skills and confidence to finish your quilt with a professional looking binding that will add both beauty and durability to your masterpiece.

The Importance of Binding in Quilting

When it comes to quilting, the binding is a crucial finishing touch that gives the quilt a polished and professional look. It not only adds to the overall design of the quilt but also serves as a protective barrier for the edges and seams, preventing them from fraying or coming apart over time. A well-executed binding can make all the difference and turn an ordinary quilt into a work of art.

Binding not only has practical benefits but also holds historical significance in quilting. In earlier times, women would use leftover scrap fabric to create bindings for their quilts, adding charm and character to each piece. Today, this traditional technique is still widely used and adds a personal touch to modern quilts.

Choosing The Right Binding Fabric

The first step in machine sewing a binding on a quilt is selecting the right fabric for it. Your choice of fabric will depend on factors like the size and design of your quilt, its intended use, and personal preference.

When it comes to choosing fabric for binding, cotton is a popular choice due to its durability and ease of sewing. However, you can also experiment with other materials like linen or silk for a more unique look. It is important that you pre-wash your fabric before using it for binding as it may shrink during laundering if not pre-shrunk.

Cutting And Preparing The Binding Strips

The next step is cutting the fabric strips that will be used for binding. The width of your strips will depend on how wide you want your finished binding to be. A common measurement is 2 ½ inches for single-fold bindings and 4 inches for double-fold bindings.

To determine how much fabric you need, measure the perimeter of your quilt by adding up all four sides and then add an extra 12-15 inches for seam allowances and finishing. Cut your fabric strips on the bias to ensure they have enough stretchability and can fit nicely around corners.

After cutting the strips, join them together at the ends to create a continuous strip. You can do this by sewing them diagonally or using a specialty ruler for a more precise cut. Once joined, press the seam open and trim any excess fabric.

Attaching The Binding To The Quilt

Now comes the time to attach the binding to the quilt. Start by laying out your quilt on a flat surface with the right side facing down. Take your binding strip and line up one end along one of the sides of your quilt, leaving a 6-inch tail at the beginning.

Using a quarter-inch seam allowance, sew along the edge of the binding strip, remembering to backstitch at both ends. Stop sewing when you are ¼ inch from reaching the corner and then lift your presser foot.

Next, fold the binding strip up at a 45-degree angle away from your new stitching line, creating a straight edge along the next side of your quilt. Then fold it back down so that its raw edge aligns with that side of your quilt.

Continue sewing along this edge until you reach another corner and repeat this process until you reach where you started. Overlap both ends of your binding strips by an inch or two, trim off any extra length, and join them together with a diagonal seam.

Finishing Touches

Once you have sewn all four sides of your quilt and attached the binding, it’s time for finishing touches. One option is to hand-sew in place while stitching in-the-ditch from top to bottom on each side of your quilt for an invisible finish.

Alternatively, if you prefer machine-stitching throughout, flip over your quilt so that you are now working on its right side. Fold over the binding strip so that it covers your previous stitching line and sew along the entire length of each side, ensuring your stitches catch both sides of the binding.

Finally, give your quilt a good press to set the stitches and create crisp edges. Trim any excess threads and voila! You now have a beautifully bound quilt ready to be showcased or used for snuggles.

Binding is an essential aspect of quilting and can truly elevate the overall look of a quilt. With a bit of practice, anyone can learn how to machine sew a binding on a quilt like a pro. Remember to choose the right fabric, cut and prepare your binding strips correctly, attach them to your quilt with precision, and finish with care. The result will be a stunning and durable quilt that can be cherished for many years to come!

The Right Tools for the Job

Before diving into how to machine sew a binding on a quilt, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary tools at your disposal. The first and most essential tool is, of course, a sewing machine. Ideally, you want to use a machine that has a walking foot or dual-feed system, as this will help feed multiple layers of fabric evenly through the machine.

Next, you’ll need some pins to secure your binding in place before sewing. Straight pins are fine for this job, but if you want something even more secure, consider using binding clips.

While not absolutely necessary, having an iron and ironing board nearby can be extremely helpful for pressing as you go. And of course, no sewing project would be complete without a good pair of scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat.

Preparing Your Quilt and Binding

Before starting the binding process, it’s important to ensure that your quilt top is fully finished and ready for binding. This means all seams should be sewn and any borders should be attached.

Once your quilt is ready, it’s time to prepare your binding strips. You can use either pre-made bias tape or make your own from coordinating fabric. If making your own bias tape, be sure to cut your strips on the bias (at a 45-degree angle) for maximum flexibility.

If using pre-made bias tape, cut it to the desired length based on the perimeter of your quilt plus a few extra inches for turning corners and joining ends. If making your own bias tape, determine how wide you want it (usually between 2-3 inches) and use this measurement to cut long strips from your fabric.

Once you have all your strips cut out (and if making bias tape from your fabric, sew them together end-to-end), press them in half lengthwise with wrong sides together.

Attaching the Binding to Your Quilt

Now that you have your quilt and binding strips prepared, it’s time to start sewing them together. Lay your quilt flat on a table or the floor and starting from the middle of one side, align the raw edge of your binding strip with the raw edge of your quilt with right sides together. Pin in place.

Using a ¼ inch seam allowance, sew along this edge, removing pins as you go. When you reach a corner, sew up until ¼ inch from the edge, pivot your fabric and continue sewing down the next side.

As you come back around to where you started, stop sewing about 6 inches before reaching the end of your binding strip. Trim any excess binding strip leaving about an inch overhang. Fold this end over towards the wrong side of your quilt and then fold over once more to encase the raw edges. Pin in place.

Finishing Off Your Binding

Now that you have attached your binding to all four sides of your quilt, it’s time to finish it off neatly. Starting where you left off stitching earlier, continue sewing along the edge of your binding until you reach approximately 3 inches from where you originally started.

Stop sewing and leave a gap in your stitching at this point. Use a ruler or straightedge to line up these two ends and trim off any excess binding strip so they butt up against each other evenly.

Next, open up both ends of your bias tape and stitch them together with right sides facing using a ¼ inch seam allowance. Trim any excess fabric and then fold over and press this seam open.

Finish by sewing along the remaining unsewn section of your binding until reaching back at the original starting point.

Final Touches

With all edges securely bound, it’s time for some final touches to give your quilt a polished look. First, press the entire binding away from the quilt top and towards the back using an iron. Then, fold the binding over towards the back of the quilt, ensuring that it covers the raw edge completely.

Pin or clip in place and hand stitch along this edge using a blind stitch or slip stitch to secure the binding in place.

Once finished, give your quilt one final press and admire your perfectly bound creation. With these tips and techniques, you can now confidently machine sew a binding on any quilt like a pro! Happy sewing!

Q: What is the purpose of binding on a quilt?
A: Binding is used to enclose the raw edges of a quilt in order to create a neat, finished edge.

Q: What materials do I need for machine sewing a binding on a quilt?
A: You will need fabric for the binding, thread, sewing machine, scissors, pins, and iron.

Q: How do I prepare the fabric for binding?
A: Cut strips of fabric on the bias or crosswise grain, at least 2.5 inches wide and long enough to cover all four sides of the quilt. Fold and iron the strips in half lengthwise to create double-fold binding.

Q: Can I use any type of thread for binding?
A: It is recommended to use a strong thread such as cotton or polyester thread for machine sewing bindings.

Q: How do I attach the binding to my quilt using a sewing machine?
A: Begin by attaching one end of the binding to one side of the quilt with a ¼ inch seam allowance. Stop stitching about ¼ inch from each corner, fold the binding up at a 45-degree angle, then back down along the adjoining side. Continue stitching until you reach the next corner and repeat this process until all sides are attached.

Q: How do I finish off my machine-sewn binding neatly?
A: Once all sides are attached, fold over the loose end of your binding strip to create a clean folded edge. Pin or clip in place and stitch down close to the folded edge. Trim any excess fabric and press your bound quilt for a professional look.

In conclusion, learning how to machine sew a binding on a quilt is an essential skill for any avid quilter. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can achieve a polished and professional-looking edge on your quilt. It is crucial to properly prepare your quilt top and backing before attaching the binding, as this will result in a more secure and durable finish.

It is also important to pay attention to the quality of your sewing machine and use the appropriate presser foot for binding. This will ensure that your stitches are neat and even throughout the process.

Additionally, the technique of mitering corners can be challenging but adds a beautiful touch to the overall look of the quilt. Practice makes perfect with this technique, and it may take a few tries before achieving clean and precise corners.

Overall, machine sewing a binding on a quilt requires patience and attention to detail. But with practice, it will become second nature, allowing you to effortlessly add bindings to all your future quilting projects.

Remember that everyone has their own unique style and approach when it comes to quilting. Do not be afraid to experiment with different techniques or embellishments to make each project uniquely yours.

Quilting is not just a craft; it’s an art form that allows us to express ourselves creatively while

Author Profile

Jill Nammar

My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.