Mastering the Art of Binding: A Step-by-Step Guide to Sewing On Quilt Binding

Do you have a beautiful quilt that needs that finishing touch? Or are you looking to start a new project and want to learn how to add binding to your quilt? Sewing on binding may seem intimidating, but with the right techniques and some practice, it can be a rewarding and enjoyable part of the quilting process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of how to sew on binding on a quilt, from preparing your materials to creating a clean and professional finish. So grab your sewing kit and let’s get started on adding that perfect touch to your quilts!

Sewing binding on a quilt may seem like a daunting task to some, but with the right techniques and tools, it can be easily mastered. Binding is the finishing touch that adds both structure and a clean, polished look to a quilt. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced quilter, learning how to sew on binding will greatly enhance your quilting skills. In this article, we will discuss the steps and techniques on how to sew on binding on a quilt.

What is Binding?

Binding refers to the fabric strip that wraps around the edges of a quilt and holds all the layers together. It serves as a protective and decorative border for the quilt. While some quilters opt for pre-made binding tapes, others like to make their own using coordinating fabric from the quilt top. There are various types of binding such as single-layer, double-fold, or bias binding.

Materials Needed for Sewing Binding

Before beginning, gather all the necessary materials for sewing binding on your quilt:

– Quilt with sandwiched layers (quilt top, batting, backing)
– Coordinating fabric for binding
– Rotary cutter or scissors
– Acrylic ruler
– Cutting mat
– Quilting pins
– Sewing machine
– Thread in matching color
– Hand needle
– Iron and ironing board

Preparing Your Quilt Sandwich

The first step in sewing binding is preparing your quilt sandwich. Make sure that your quilt top has been properly basted with batting and backing fabric. Trim any excess batting or backing that may extend past the edge of your quilt top.

Cutting Your Binding Strips

To create homemade binding strips, you will need to cut strips of fabric on the bias (diagonally across the grain). This allows for more stretch and flexibility when wrapping the binding around curves. The width of the strips should be 2.5 inches and the length will depend on the size of your quilt.

Attaching the Binding to Your Quilt

Once your binding has been cut, press it in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Lay your quilt sandwich flat and align one raw edge of the binding with the raw edge of your quilt. Pin in place, leaving a few inches unpinned at the beginning.

Using a ¼ inch seam allowance, sew along the edge of the quilt until you reach a corner. Backstitch and cut your thread.

Mitering Corners

When sewing binding on a quilt, it is essential to miter corners to create clean edges. To do so, stop stitching ¼ inch from the corner and backstitch.

Fold the binding up at a 45-degree angle away from your quilt top, creating a diagonal fold that lines up with the corner of your quilt top. Fold the binding back down so it aligns with the next raw edge of your quilt – this creates a nice mitered corner.

Continue pinning and sewing in this manner until you reach the starting point where you left a few inches unpinned.

Joining Your Binding Ends

To join your binding ends together, lay them flat right sides together and perpendicular to each other. Make sure they are overlapping by about 2 inches.

Using an acrylic ruler, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner where they meet. Stitch along this line to create a diagonal seam.

Trim excess fabric leaving ¼ inch seam allowance and press open.

Continue sewing down your binding until you reach this joined end on your quilt and stitch over it as you normally would.

Finishing Your Binding

After attaching all corners and joining both ends of your binding, finish sewing it around your quilt. Once done, press your bound quilt to set everything in place.

Hand sew the folded edge of the binding to the back of your quilt using an invisible stitch. Your fold should cover the stitching from the front of your quilt.

Congratulations! You have now successfully completed sewing binding on a quilt. With practice, you can experiment with different types of binding and add unique touches to your quilts. Binding is an essential part of quilting that adds structure and beauty to your finished piece. By following these steps and techniques, you can achieve a professional-looking bound quilt every time.

What is Binding on a Quilt?

Binding on a quilt is the finishing touch that not only adds a decorative element, but also serves a practical purpose. It is a narrow strip of fabric that is sewn around the outer edges of the quilt to enclose and protect the raw edges of the quilt top, batting, and backing. Binding can be made from the same fabric as the quilt top, or can be contrasting for added visual interest. It can also be straight-grain or bias-cut, depending on personal preference. Knowing how to sew on binding is an essential skill for any quilter to master in order to complete their quilting projects with a professional finish.

Preparing for Sewing Binding on a Quilt

Before sewing binding onto your quilt, there are a few important steps you need to take to ensure your project turns out perfectly. First and foremost, make sure that your quilt top is completely finished – all blocks are pieced together and any appliqué or embroidery work has been completed. Then, trim away all excess batting and backing fabric so that they are flush with the edges of the quilt top. This will create smooth and even edges for attaching the binding.

Next, determine how many strips of fabric you will need for your binding based on the size of your quilt and how wide you want your binding to be. For straight-grain binding, you will need to cut strips along the lengthwise (parallel to selvedge) of your chosen fabric. Bias-cut binding involves cutting strips diagonally across the fabric at a 45-degree angle. It may require more fabric than straight-grain binding but allows for more flexibility when sewing around curves.

Once you have cut your strips, sew them together end-to-end using diagonal seams until you have enough continuous length to go around your entire quilt with some extra length for joining ends together later.

Attaching Binding to a Quilt

Lay your quilt out flat on your work surface, with the quilt top facing down. Take your prepared binding strip and align one end with the bottom edge of your quilt, starting about 6 inches from one corner. Leave a small tail of binding overhanging and begin sewing with a ¼ inch seam allowance. Sew straight down the edge of the quilt until you are approximately ¼ inch from the first corner.

Next, fold the binding strip up and away from the quilt top, creating a diagonal fold that lines up with the top edge of your quilt. Then, fold it back down so that it now lines up with the next side of your quilt. This creates a clean mitered corner. Hold this in place and continue sewing down this side, repeating this process for each corner until you reach about 6 inches from where you started.

When you reach this point, trim off any excess binding and overlap the ends by about an inch. Cut one end of the binding strip at a 45-degree angle to create a clean finish for joining them together. Then, slip one end inside the other and sew across at right angles to join them, creating a smooth seam.

Once all sides have been sewn onto the quilt, trim any excess batting or backing fabric that may still be visible beyond the binding edges. Then, fold over the binding towards the back of the quilt and hand stitch in place using an invisible or ladder stitch.

Finishing Touches

After attaching all sides of your binding to your quilt, you can add some final touches to ensure a clean and polished look. Press your binding flat using an iron (with steam), paying extra attention to corners to make sure they are nicely defined.

If desired, you can also add decorative elements such as machine or hand quilting along or within your sewn binding. This can add an extra layer of interest and texture to your finished quilt.

Caring for Your Quilt with Sewn Binding

Properly attaching binding to your quilt will not only give it a beautiful finish, but also help preserve the edges of your quilt. However, it is important to take care when washing and drying your quilt to maintain the integrity of the binding.

When washing, use a gentle cycle with mild detergent and avoid fabric softeners as they can cause the binding to become stiff or misshapen. If possible, air dry your quilt or use a low heat setting on the dryer and remove promptly.

During storage, fold or roll your quilt rather than hanging it to prevent strain on the binding. Regularly inspect the binding for any wear or tears and repair as necessary to keep your cherished quilt looking its best.

Sewing on binding is one of the final steps in creating a beautiful and functional quilt. By following these steps and taking care during the process, you can achieve a professional finish that will make any quilting project stand out. With practice and attention to detail, you can become confident in sewing binding onto quilts and add a personal touch to every piece you create. So

1) What is binding and why is it important for quilting?
Binding is a strip of fabric used to finish the edges of a quilt and provide a clean, polished look. It also helps to secure the three layers (top, batting, and backing) of the quilt together.

2) What types of binding can be used for quilting projects?
The most common types of binding are single-fold and double-fold. Single-fold binding is folded once on each side of the quilt’s edge, while double-fold binding is folded twice on one side and then sewn onto the quilt’s front and back.

3) How much fabric do I need for binding?
It depends on the size of your quilt. As a general rule, you will need about 2.5 times the length plus twice the width of your quilt in inches.

4) What tools do I need for sewing on binding?
You will need fabric strips for the binding, scissors or rotary cutter, pins or clips, sewing machine with thread, quilting ruler or measuring tape, iron and ironing board.

5) What are some tips for sewing on binding neatly?
Make sure to press your fabric strips before attaching them to ensure they are straight. Pin or clip your binding in place before stitching to ensure it stays in place. When turning corners, fold your mitered corners neatly and secure with pins before stitching.

6) Can I hand sew binding instead of using a machine?
Yes, hand sewing can be done by carefully folding and stitching down each fold of the binding strip. This gives a clean finish but may take more time compared to machine sewing.

In conclusion, learning how to sew on binding for a quilt can seem like a daunting task, but with practice and patience, anyone can master this skill. The first step is to ensure that you have all the necessary materials and tools before beginning the process. Taking the time to properly measure and cut the binding strips will result in a more professional and polished finish.

When sewing on the binding, it is important to take your time and sew with even stitches. Pinning or clipping the binding in place can help prevent shifting or puckering. And remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts are not perfect.

Choosing the right type of binding and decorative stitch can add character to your quilt and elevate its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, utilizing different techniques such as mitered corners or machine binding can make the process more efficient.

Lastly, don’t forget to properly secure your binding by hand stitching the final edge or using a high-quality machine stitch. This will ensure that your quilt will withstand wear and tear over time.

Overall, sewing on binding for a quilt requires attention to detail and precision, but it is also an enjoyable and rewarding experience. With these tips in mind, anyone can successfully add binding to their quilts and create beautiful works of art that