Mastering the Art of Bias Quilt Binding: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re a quilter, you know that one of the essential elements of a beautiful and professional-looking quilt is the binding. It not only adds a finishing touch to your creation, but also helps to secure and protect the edges. While there are many different ways to create quilt binding, one method that is often used but can be intimidating for beginners is making bias quilt binding. Fortunately, with a few simple steps and some practice, you can master this technique and take your quilting skills to the next level. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about making bias quilt binding – from selecting the right fabric to sewing it onto your quilt with ease. Get ready to elevate your quilting game with these tips!

The Importance of Bias Quilt Binding

Quilt binding is the finishing touch to any quilt project. It not only provides a neat and professional edge, but it also helps secure the layers of the quilt together. While straight grain binding is the most commonly used method, bias quilt binding offers numerous benefits that make it a popular choice among quilters.

Bias binding is made from fabric strips cut on a 45-degree angle from the selvage edge. This creates stretch and flexibility in the fabric, making it easier to maneuver around curves, especially for rounded or scalloped edges. This is especially useful for quilts with irregular shaped designs or those with curved edges.

Bias binding also allows for bias grain stitching, which is more durable and less likely to unravel compared to straight grain stitching. This makes it particularly useful for quilts that will be frequently washed or handled, as it can withstand wear and tear better than straight grain binding.

In addition, bias quilt binding adds an attractive design element to quilts. Because the fabric strips are cut on a diagonal, they create a visually appealing pattern when sewn together. This adds a unique touch to any quilt project and can make it stand out among others.

Materials Needed for Making Bias Quilt Binding

To create your own bias quilt binding, you will need a few basic materials:

– Fabric: Choose a lightweight woven cotton or cotton blend fabric in your desired color or print.
– Rotary cutter: A rotary cutter makes cutting accurate fabric strips much easier.
– Cutting mat: Use with the rotary cutter to protect surfaces and ensure precise cuts.
– Quilting ruler: An acrylic quilting ruler helps you measure and cut fabric strips evenly.
– Sewing machine: Any basic sewing machine will work for making bias quilt binding.
– Iron and ironing board: These are necessary for pressing your fabric strips and creating neat folds.
– Pins and scissors: Use these to hold your fabric in place while sewing and for trimming excess fabric.

Steps to Make Bias Quilt Binding

1. Prepare the fabric: Begin by washing, drying and ironing your chosen fabric to remove any wrinkles or starch. This ensures that the strips will remain consistent in size and shape after cutting.

2. Cut the fabric strips: Use your rotary cutter, mat, and ruler to cut out continuous diagonal strips from your fabric. The width of the strip should depend on how wide you want your binding to be, but it is usually 2.5 inches for quilt binding.

3. Join the strips together: Lay two strips right sides together at ninety-degree angles with one strip facing up and the other facing downward. Sew diagonally from corner to corner, creating a seam that joins both pieces of fabric together.

4. Trim seam allowance: Trim excess seam allowance to about ¼ inch and press open the seam flat with an iron.

5. Continue joining strips: Repeat this process until all of your strips are sewn together into one continuous strip of bias quilt binding.

6. Press folds: On a large ironing board or table, lay out your bias strip with the seams facing upwards. Fold both edges of the strip towards the center, creating two creases along each edge. Use an iron to press these folds flat.

7. Sew along folded edge: With right sides together, align one folded edge of the binding with the raw edge of your quilt top or backing where you want it attached, leaving a few inches loose at the beginning for later finishing steps. Using a walking foot or regular sewing machine foot, sew along this folded edge using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

8. Miter corners: As you reach each corner, stop stitching about ¼ inch before you reach it and backstitch to secure it in place by pivoting the fabric. Fold the binding strip up and away from the quilt at a sixty-degree angle, then fold it back down over itself so that the raw edge aligns with the next side of the quilt. This creates a mitered corner. Continue sewing along this next edge.

9. Finish sewing binding: As you approach where you began, stop about 8 inches before your starting point. Overlap where you began and end your stitches, trim excess binding if needed, then sew to join both ends together securely before continuing along the last section of the quilt.

10. Complete stitching: Sew all around your quilt until all edges are bound with bias quilt binding.

Tips for Working with Bias Quilt Binding

– When cutting your fabric strips, use a bias tape maker tool to easily create neat folds in your fabric as you press it.
– Choose a thread color that will blend in well with both sides of your binding.
– If using more than one fabric for your quilt binding, try to match pattern designs or colors when joining them together.
– Use starch or spray sizing on your fabric before cutting to prevent fraying and make handling easier.
– Always test stitch size and tension on a scrap piece of fabric before sewing onto your actual project

Definition of Bias Quilt Binding

Bias quilt binding is a crucial part of quilt-making, as it provides a finished edge and adds durability to the edges of a quilt. In simple terms, it is a strip of fabric that is used to cover the raw edges of a quilt. The term “bias” refers to the diagonal direction of the fabric, which allows for more flexibility and stretch compared to a straight-cut edge. This makes it easier to work with when sewing around curves or corners on a quilt.

The Importance of Making Bias Quilt Binding

While some quilters may opt for pre-made binding or use straight-cut binding, making your own bias quilt binding has significant benefits. Firstly, it allows you to customize the width and color according to your preference and project. Additionally, making bias quilt binding ensures that you have enough for your project since it can be challenging to estimate the exact amount needed.

Moreover, bias cut binding creates more durable and stronger edges compared to straight-cut binding. This is because the diagonal grain has more give and can handle being pulled in different directions without tearing or fraying. Therefore, if you want your quilt edges to last longer and withstand frequent washing and use, making bias quilt binding is highly recommended.

Materials Needed

To make bias quilt binding, there are several materials that you will need. These include:

– Fabric: The type of fabric used for making bias quilt binding depends on personal preference. However, lightweight cotton or quilting cotton is most commonly used.
– Rotary cutter: This handy tool ensures clean and precise cuts.
– Ruler: A clear acrylic ruler with measurement markings will help you cut straight lines.
– Cutting mat: A self-healing cutting mat protects your work surface from scratches while providing a stable base for cutting.
– Sewing machine: While hand-sewing is an option, using a sewing machine will save time and ensure more secure stitches.
– Thread: Choose a color that complements your binding fabric.
– Pins or clips: These are used to hold the binding in place while sewing.
– Iron and ironing board: These are essential for pressing the fabric and creating crisp folds.

Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let’s dive into the process of making bias quilt binding in detail:

Step 1: Cut The Fabric

To start, you need to cut a square of fabric that is larger than the desired width of your bias quilt binding. For example, if you want your finished binding to be 2 inches wide, cut a 6-inch square of fabric. This will give you enough room to work with without having to join multiple pieces together.

Step 2: Mark The Bias Lines

Place the fabric square on your cutting mat with one corner pointing towards you. Draw diagonal lines from one corner to another using a ruler. These lines will serve as guidelines for cutting the strips on the bias.

Step 3: Cut Strips Along The Bias Lines

Using a rotary cutter and ruler, cut along the marked bias lines to get long strips of fabric. A width of 2 inches is considered standard for quilt bindings, but you can adjust it according to your preference.

Step 4: Join The Strips Together

To create one continuous strip, join these short strips together by placing them at right angles and pinning them. Sew diagonally across the pinned area and trim off any excess fabric. Press open the seams for a flatter look.

Step 5: Fold And Press The Strips

Fold each long strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides facing each other and press with an iron. This will create creases at both edges, which will serve as guides later on.

Step 6: Attach The Binding To The Quilt

Lay the quilt on a flat surface and place the folded binding strip along one edge, leaving about 6 inches of excess binding at the start. Pin or clip it in place, starting from the middle and working your way outwards to the corners. As you approach a corner, stop sewing about ¼ inch away, and then lift the presser foot. Rotate the quilt and continue sewing from where you left off to create a mitered corner.

Step 7: Join The Binding Ends

When you reach the starting point, overlap the binding ends by about an inch and mark where they meet on the bottom strip. Trim off any excess length on both ends and sew them together with a diagonal seam. Trim off any excess fabric.

Step 8: Finish Sewing The Binding

After joining the binding ends, finish sewing along the edges of your quilt until you reach your starting point. Tuck in the start of your binding and sew it down neatly for a clean finish.

Tips And Tricks For Making Bias Quilt Binding

– Before cutting your fabric strips, test for

Q: What is bias quilt binding?
A: Bias quilt binding is a strip of fabric that is used to cover and finish the raw edges of a quilt, providing a clean and professional-looking edge.

Q: Why should I use bias quilt binding instead of straight grain binding?
A: Bias quilt binding is more durable and has greater flexibility, allowing it to bend around curves and corners without puckering or pulling. This makes it ideal for quilts with irregular shapes.

Q: How do I make bias quilt binding?
A: To make bias quilt binding, you will first need to cut strips of fabric on the bias (45 degree angle) instead of along the straight grain. These strips are then joined together to create a long continuous strip, which is then folded in half and pressed before attaching to the edges of your quilt.

Q: What size should I cut my bias strips for quilt binding?
A: The width of the strips can vary depending on personal preference, but typically they are cut between 2-3 inches wide. The length of each strip will depend on the size of your quilt and how many strips you need to join together.

Q: Do I need any special tools or equipment to make bias quilt binding?
A: Yes, you will need a rotary cutter and mat, an acrylic ruler, sewing pins, and an iron to make accurate cuts and press your seams.

Q: Can I use pre-made bias tape for my quilt binding?
A: Yes, you can use pre-made bias tape for your quilt binding. However, making your own allows for more control over the width, color, and print of the fabric used. Additionally, making your own allows you to create a continuous strip without visible seams.

In conclusion, learning how to make bias quilt binding is a valuable skill that can greatly enhance your quilting projects. By understanding and utilizing the bias grain of fabric, you can create strong and flexible bindings that will add the perfect finishing touch to your quilts. Throughout this guide, we have covered everything from selecting and cutting bias strips to joining them together and attaching them to your quilt. Remember to take your time and be patient with this technique, as it may take some practice to perfect. But with consistent effort, you will be able to expertly create beautiful bindings for all your future quilts.

One of the key takeaways from this topic is the importance of using the bias grain of fabric when creating quilt bindings. This allows for greater flexibility and durability in the finished product. Additionally, ensuring that your strips are cut at a true 45-degree angle and accurately joined together will result in a smooth and polished binding. The techniques discussed in this guide can be applied to any type of quilt, providing versatility and creativity in your quilting projects.

Another valuable insight is the significance of accurate measurement and precise stitching when making bias quilt binding. Taking the time to measure and cut your strips correctly will ensure uniformity in size and appearance. Similarly, being mindful of stitching techniques such as

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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.
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