Master the Art of Quilting: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Put Binding on a Quilt

AvatarByJill Nammar Quiting

Have you ever fallen in love with a beautiful quilt, only to be intimidated by the thought of adding the binding? Binding can be one of the most daunting steps in quilting, but it doesn’t have to be. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to put binding on a quilt, step by step. Whether you’re a beginner quilter or have been quilting for years, this article will provide you with tips and techniques to make your binding process easier and more enjoyable. Let’s dive in and learn how to add that final touch to your quilts!

Introduction

Quilting is not only a practical way to keep warm, but it also allows for a creative outlet. One important step in the quilt making process is adding binding. Binding is the strip of fabric that covers the raw edges of a quilt, giving it a polished and finished look. However, for beginners, this step can seem intimidating. But fear not, in this guide, we will provide detailed instructions on how to put binding on a quilt like a pro.

The Basics of Quilt Binding

When starting your quilting project, one of the first things to decide on is the type of binding you want to use. The most commonly used bindings are straight grain binding and bias binding.

Straight grain binding is cut parallel to the selvage edge of the fabric and is suitable for quilts with basic shapes and straight edges. On the other hand, bias binding is cut at a 45-degree angle to the selvage edge and is ideal for quilts with curved edges or irregular shapes.

Before cutting out your binding strips, calculate the length needed by measuring all four sides of your quilt and adding them together with an extra 12 inches for corners and seams.

Selecting Fabric for Binding

When choosing fabric for your binding, you have two options: matching or contrasting fabric.

Matching fabric means using the same material as your quilt top for your binding. This creates a cohesive look but can be tricky if your quilt has different colors or patterns.

Contrasting fabric adds an extra element of interest to your quilt by using a different print or color than your quilt top. This option allows you to get creative and add another layer of design to your project.

Once you have decided on which fabric to use, it’s time to cut out your strips.

Cutting & Preparing Binding Strips

As mentioned before, calculate the length needed for your binding strips and add an additional 12 inches. Then, cut the fabric into strips that are 2.5 inches wide for straight grain binding or 2.25 inches wide for bias binding.

Next, piece your strips together by sewing them at a 45-degree angle to create one continuous strip. Trim the excess fabric and press open the seams.

Now, you can prepare your binding before attaching it to the quilt. Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press it with an iron to create a crease down the center.

Attaching Binding to Quilt

To attach the binding to your quilt, lay your quilt out flat on a table with the right side facing up. Start by placing one end of your binding strip at one corner of the quilt’s edge, leaving a tail of several inches.

Leaving a quarter-inch seam allowance, start sewing along the raw edge of your quilt until you reach a corner. To create mitered corners, stop stitching at a quarter-inch from the edge of the fabric and fold the binding up at a 45-degree angle.

Next, fold the binding back down over itself forming a neat diagonal fold in front of your previous stitch line. Then, continue sewing down along the next edge of your quilt.

Repeat this process for all four corners until you reach where you started. Overlap the starting end and trim off any excess fabric.

To finish off your stitching, sew close to but not on top of where you started stitching and leave a few inches unstitched. This allows room to tuck in and sew down the unfinished edges of both ends neatly.

Final Steps

Now that all sides have been stitched together, it’s time to secure and finish off your binding. Trim any excess fabric from corners or edges and press them neatly against your quilt.

Fold over one side of your binding strip so that it covers the raw edge of your quilt. Then, fold the binding over the edge of your quilt, encasing the raw edges.

To finish off your binding, hand stitch along the folded edge of the binding, securing it to the back of your quilt. When you reach a corner, tuck in the excess fabric to create a neat and mitered corner.

Finally, when you reach the end of your stitching, create a small knot in your thread and bury it into the binding for a clean finish.

Congratulations! You have successfully put binding on your quilt. With these steps, you can now easily add binding to any of your future quilting projects like a pro. Have fun experimenting with different fabrics and creating unique designs with your binding technique. Happy quilting!

Introduction

Quilting has been a popular pastime for centuries, with its origins dating back to ancient Egypt and China. Fast forward to today, and it remains a beloved craft that is not only enjoyable but also functional. Quilts can be used as cozy bedding or decorative pieces in the home. However, no quilt is complete without binding. Binding is the fabric trim that surrounds the edges of a quilt, giving it a finished and polished look. If you are looking to learn how to put binding on a quilt, you have come to the right place. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of adding binding to your quilt like a pro.

Gathering Materials

Before we dive into the actual process of putting binding on a quilt, let’s first gather all the necessary materials.

– Quilt: This may seem obvious but make sure that your quilt is completely finished before starting to add binding.
– Fabric for binding: You can choose any fabric that complements your quilt. It should be about 2 ½ inches wide for single-fold binding or 4 inches wide for double-fold binding.
– Ruler
– Rotary cutter or scissors
– Cutting mat
– Sewing machine
– Thread
– Needle
– Iron

Preparing Your Quilt

Before adding binding, it’s essential to make sure that your quilt top and backing are trimmed and squared up. This means that all edges are even and corners are at 90-degree angles.

Next, lay your quilt top flat on a large surface with the right side facing up. Place the batting on top of it, followed by the backing fabric with its wrong side facing up.

Using safety pins or basting spray, secure all three layers together to prevent shifting while sewing.

Making the Binding Strips

The first step in making binding strips is determining how many you will need. Measure the perimeter of your quilt and add an additional 10 inches for overlap. This measurement will give you the total length of binding needed. Now, divide this number by the width of your chosen binding fabric (2 ½ inches or 4 inches) to get the number of strips required.

Next, cut the binding fabric into strips using a rotary cutter and ruler or scissors. To do this, lay your fabric on a cutting mat and line up the edge with the ruler. Use the rotary cutter or scissors to make parallel cuts along the length of your fabric.

Once all strips are cut, lay them out on a flat surface and join them together by sewing diagonally to form one long strip.

Preparing the Binding

Before attaching the binding to your quilt, it’s essential to prepare it properly. Start by pressing the strip in half lengthwise with an iron, wrong sides together.

Then, open up one end of the strip and fold one corner down to meet the center crease. Repeat on the other side. This will create a neat angled edge when folded back in half.

Finally, press down on this fold for a crisp edge and repeat for both ends of the binding strip.

Attaching Binding to Quilt

Now that your quilt is prepared, and your binding is ready, it’s time to attach them together!

Start by placing one end of the binding strip along one edge of your quilt, leaving about a 10-inch tail hanging off for later. Leave about an inch overhang at each end before placing pins along the edge to hold everything in place.

Using a quarter-inch seam allowance, start sewing from about two inches in from where you started pinning until you reach about two inches before reaching the corner. Stop sewing and backstitch at each end to secure the stitches.

Mitering Corners

When you reach a corner, stop sewing about a quarter-inch away from the edge. Then, fold the binding up and away from the quilt at a 45-degree angle, creating a neat mitered corner. Then, fold back down in line with the next edge, and continue sewing from that point. Repeat this process for all corners of your quilt.

Joining Ends

Once you reach where you started attaching binding, overlap the ends by about an inch and mark where they meet. Cut off any excess binding on one end and fold it back on itself. Then, place the other end inside this folded piece and sew over them together.

Finally, finish sewing along the edge of your quilt until you reach where you started sewing.

Attaching Binding to Back

To finish off your quilt binding, you will need to hand-stitch it to the back of your quilt. Start by folding over the binding to the back of your quilt and holding it in place with clips or pins.

Using a needle and thread, whipstitch or ladder stitch along the edge of the binding on the back of your quilt.

Once finished, give

Q: What is binding and why is it important in quilting?
A: Binding refers to the fabric strip that is used to encase the raw edges of a quilt. It gives the quilt a finished look and prevents the edges from fraying. It also adds durability and stability to the quilt.

Q: What materials do I need to put binding on a quilt?
A: For binding, you will need fabric strips cut on bias, scissors, sewing machine, quilting ruler, pins, iron and ironing board, and thread.

Q: How wide should my fabric strips be for binding?
A: The suggested width for binding strips is 2.5 inches. However, you can adjust the width according to your preference or based on the size of your quilt.

Q: How do I attach the binding to my quilt?
A: Start by sewing the binding strips together at a 45-degree angle to create a continuous strip. Then pin the raw edges of the binding to the raw edges of your quilt sandwich and sew them with a ¼ inch seam allowance. Finally, fold over the binding strip to encase the raw edges of your quilt and sew it down.

Q: How do I finish attaching my binding on corners?
A: When you get close to a corner, stop sewing ¼ inch before reaching it and backstitch. Fold your binding strip up at a 45-degree angle away from your quilt and then back down towards your next edge. This will create a mitered corner. Continue sewing as normal.

Q: Any tips for achieving neat and professional-looking bindings?
A: Make sure you press your fabric strips before sewing them together to remove any wrinkles or creases. Use plenty of pins while attaching your binding to ensure it stays in place. Use a walking foot for your sewing machine to ensure even stitching and prevent puckering. Lastly, hand stitching the folded edge of the binding to the back of the quilt will give a clean and polished finish.

In conclusion, putting binding on a quilt is an important step in finishing a quilt project. To successfully complete this task, one must choose the right type of binding, measure and cut it accurately, and sew it onto the quilt with precision. However, learning how to put binding on a quilt also requires patience and practice.

Firstly, selecting the appropriate binding is crucial as it not only adds aesthetic value but also provides durability to the quilt. With various options available, one must ensure that the binding complements the colors and design of the quilt while also being made of high-quality material.

Furthermore, accurate measurements and cutting are essential in achieving neat and tidy edges on a quilt. Before sewing on the binding, taking precise measurements of all four sides of the quilt and cutting the binding strips accordingly greatly impacts the final result.

Lastly, sewing on the binding requires attention to detail and careful stitching to achieve a professional finish. Whether hand-sewing or machine-sewing, focusing on matching seams and making smooth corners is vital in securing the binding in place.

In addition to mastering these technical aspects, it is important to remember that putting binding on a quilt is also an opportunity for creativity. One can experiment with different patterns or techniques such as adding scallops or flanges to add unique elements to

Author Profile

Avatar
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.