Master the Art of Quilting: A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Bias Binding

AvatarByJill Nammar Quiting

When it comes to quilting, there are countless techniques and methods to achieve stunning and unique designs. One essential skill that every quilter should master is the art of bias binding. Bias binding is a decorative finishing technique that adds durability and structure to the edge of a quilt. However, for many beginners, putting bias binding on a quilt can seem like a daunting task. But fear not, in this article, we will walk you through step-by-step on how to put bias binding on a quilt, so you can add a professional touch to your handmade masterpiece. Whether you’re new to quilting or looking to improve your skills, read on to discover everything you need to know about bias binding and how to apply it to your quilts.

What is Bias Binding?

Bias binding is a technique used to finish the edges of a quilt with a clean and professional look. It is a strip of fabric that is cut on the bias, meaning diagonal to the grain of the fabric. This allows the binding to stretch and mold around curves, making it ideal for quilts with curved edges. Bias binding not only serves as a decorative element but also acts as a protective layer for the raw edges of your quilt.

Preparing Your Quilt

Before you can start putting bias binding on your quilt, you need to prepare it first. This includes trimming excess batting and backing fabric from the edges of your quilt top to ensure that they are all even. You can also give your quilt a good press with an iron to remove any creases or wrinkles, making it easier to work with.

If you are adding bias binding to an already finished quilt, make sure that it is clean and free of any loose threads or stray fibers. You can also lightly press the edges of your quilt top to create crease marks as a guide for attaching the binding evenly.

Cutting Bias Binding

To create bias binding, you will need enough fabric to create strips that are at least 2 ½ inches wide and long enough to go around the entire perimeter of your quilt plus an extra 10-12 inches for joining and overlap seams. If you have directional fabric or want a specific design to be visible on your binding, make sure to cut it on the bias at a 45-degree angle.

Once you have your fabric cut into strips, fold one end at a 45-degree angle towards the middle. Then fold in half again lengthwise, creating one continuous strip with two folds on one side and one fold on the other. Pin or press these folds in place before cutting off any excess at the angled end.

Making and Attaching the Binding

Now that you have your bias binding ready, it’s time to attach it to your quilt. Starting at the middle of one edge, line up the raw edges of your quilt and binding with right sides together. Leave a tail of about 5-6 inches of binding unattached for later. Using a ¼ inch seam allowance, stitch along the edge until you reach a corner.

To create a mitered corner, stop stitching ¼ inch before reaching the corner and backstitch. Then, fold the binding strip up and away from the quilt at a 45-degree angle, creating a neat fold at the corner. Fold the binding strip back down so that it is aligned with the next edge of your quilt. Continue stitching along this edge until you reach another corner and repeat this process.

Once all four corners have been mitered, continue sewing until you reach where you started. Overlap your starting tail with the excess binding you left earlier, creating a smooth join. Trim off any excess fabric and finish stitching to close up the binding.

Finishing Touches

To finish off your bias binding on a quilt, you can either hand-stitch or machine-stitch down the folded edge of your binding on the backside of your quilt in place. This will create a clean and neat look on both sides of your project.

If you prefer to hand-stitch, use an invisible stitch such as ladder stitch or slip stitch for an almost undetectable finish. For machine stitching, use a blind hem stitch or zigzag stitch to secure the folded edge in place.

Once all edges are stitched down, give your quilt one final press to set everything in place. Your beautifully bound quilt is now complete!

With these easy-to-follow steps, putting bias binding on a quilt can be a fun and enjoyable process. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced quilter, mastering this technique will add a professional touch to all your quilting projects. So grab your fabric and start binding your next quilt with confidence!

What is Bias Binding?

Bias binding is a popular technique used to finish the edges of quilts. It is a thin strip of fabric that has been cut on a bias, or diagonal, direction from the grain of the fabric. This creates a more flexible and durable binding, making it ideal for curved edges such as those found on quilts.

Bias binding not only serves as a decorative element but also helps to enclose the raw edges of the quilt. It provides a clean and neat finish while also preventing fraying. There are various methods for attaching bias binding, but the most common one used in quilting is machine sewing.

Tools and Materials Required

To put bias binding on a quilt, you will need some essential tools and materials. These include:

– Bias binding: You can either buy pre-made bias binding or create your own using fabric.
– Quilt with unfinished edges: Make sure your quilt Is properly pressed and squared.
– Ruler
– Fabric scissors
– Sewing machine
– Pins or clips
– Iron

It is important to note that while creating your own bias binding allows for better color and pattern coordination with your quilt, it may take more time and effort.

Step by Step Guide

Now that you have gathered all the necessary tools and materials let’s get started on putting bias binding on your quilt!

Step 1: Measure the perimeter of your quilt
The first step before cutting out your bias strips is to measure the length of each side of your quilt. Add all these measurements together to determine how much bias binding you will need.

Step 2: Cut out your strips
Using a ruler, mark out strips on your fabric with a width of 2.5 inches and length equal to the measurement from Step 1. Use fabric scissors to cut along these lines.

Step 3: Sew the strips together
To create one long strip, sew the short ends of your fabric strips together at a 45-degree angle. Be sure to align the short edges with right sides facing each other and stitch a ¼ inch seam allowance.

Step 4: Press the seams
Open up the seams and press them flat with an iron. This will help to reduce bulk and make it easier to sew on.

Step 5: Fold and press the binding strip
Fold the long strip of fabric in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and give it a good press. This will create a crease in the middle, making it easier to attach to your quilt.

Step 6: Pin or clip the binding onto your quilt
Starting at one corner of your quilt, place the raw edges of your binding along the raw edge of your quilt. Make sure that right sides are facing each other. Begin pinning or clipping in place, leaving a few inches of extra binding at the starting point.

Step 7: Sewing
Using a walking/edge join sewing foot on your machine, sew along the raw edge of your quilt using a ¼ inch seam allowance. Stop sewing approximately ¼ inch from the edge of your quilt before removing it from your machine.

Attaching Mitered Corners

For mitered corners, you will need to stop sewing at exactly ¼ inch from each corner. Take out your quilt and fold over the bias binding at a right angle so that it lines up with the raw edge on both sides. Pin or clip in place and continue sewing from that corner.

Repeat this process for each corner until you reach where you started. Overlap both ends and cut off any excess binding before stitching them together.

Step 8: Finalizing
Once all sides have been sewn, pull out any remaining pins or clips and carefully finger press the bias binding over to the back of your quilt. This step is crucial in ensuring that your binding will cover the raw edges on the back side of your quilt.

Step 9: Sew the Binding Down
Using an invisible hand-stitch method or a blind-hem stitch on your machine, sew down the binding on the back side of your quilt, making sure to catch the raw edge.

Step 10: Press and Finish
Once you have finished sewing, press along all edges of your quilt to give it a nice clean finish and remove any wrinkles from sewing.

Tips for Success

– It is essential to cut your strips on a true bias, meaning they must be cut at a diagonal angle.
– If you are attaching bias binding around curved edges, it might be helpful to trim out any excess batting or backing fabric beforehand.
– Practice makes perfect! Don’t get discouraged if you find this technique challenging at first.
– It may be helpful to hand baste or use clips before sewing down your binding to ensure that everything stays in place while sewing.
– Make sure that both sides of your binding stay even while stitching. This will help prevent any puckering or unevenness in the final result.

You

Q: What is bias binding?
A: Bias binding is a strip of fabric cut on a 45-degree angle from the selvage edge, making it more flexible and easier to fit curves than straight-grain binding.

Q: Why is bias binding used on quilts?
A: Bias binding is used on quilts to create a clean and professional finish, especially on curved edges and corners. It also adds durability and helps to prevent fraying.

Q: How do I measure the amount of bias binding needed for my quilt?
A: To determine the amount of bias binding needed for your quilt, use a measuring tape to measure the perimeter of your quilt, then add 10-12 inches for seam allowance and overlap.

Q: What are the steps in attaching bias binding to a quilt?
A: The steps in attaching bias binding to a quilt are as follows: 1) Prepare your fabric strips and iron them into double-folded bias tape. 2) Pin the raw edge of the tape along one edge of your quilt with right sides together. 3) Sew with a ¼ inch seam allowance and trim excess fabric. 4) Fold the tape over to the other side of the quilt, making sure it covers the previous stitching. 5) Hand or machine stitch in place.

Q: Can I make my own bias binding or should I buy it pre-made?
A: You can make your own bias binding using a fabric strip cut on the bias or purchase pre-made tape. Making your own allows for more customization in terms of fabric choice, but pre-made bindings can save time and come in various sizes and colors.

Q: How do I deal with bulky corners when sewing on bias binding?
A: To deal with bulky corners when sewing on bias binding, first trim the excess fabric. Then, fold the binding over the corner and tuck in the raw edge to create a neat mitered corner before stitching it down. You can also use clips or pins to keep the binding in place while sewing.

In conclusion, bias binding is a versatile and beautiful technique for finishing the edges of a quilt. It adds durability, contrast, and an extra design element to any quilt project. By following the steps outlined in this guide, one can successfully put bias binding on a quilt and achieve a professional and polished look.

Firstly, it is important to understand what bias binding is and how it differs from regular straight-grain binding. Bias binding is made from fabric cut on a 45-degree angle to the selvage edge of the fabric, which allows it to stretch and curve smoothly around the edges of a quilt. This makes it ideal for quilts with curved or angled edges.

The process of putting bias binding on a quilt involves several steps that require precision and attention to detail. These include preparing the fabric strips, sewing them onto the quilt sandwich, mitering the corners, and hand-stitching the binding in place. It may seem overwhelming at first, but with patience and practice, anyone can master this technique.

One crucial tip while putting bias binding on a quilt is to take your time and check each step carefully before moving on to the next. Rushing through or making mistakes can result in crooked or uneven binding that can take away from the overall look of your quilt

Author Profile

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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.
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.