2015 Technique BOM - Binding the Quilt
Category: Quilts
Binding a quilt is the final step in completing it. We’ll take you through the steps of putting the binding on your quilt.
What you need to make this project
- Materials
- Fabric for binding
Binding a quilt is the final step in completing it. We’ll take you through the steps of putting the binding on your quilt.
To bind your quilt, first you need to cut your binding strips. Cut 2″ strips of binding – make sure you have more than enough to go all the way around the quilt. When in doubt, cut another strip.
Stitch the strips together on the bias to make one long strip.
Press strip in half lengthwise to prepare your binding.
Trim the excess batting and backing from the quilt, and square up the quilt.
Put the raw edge of the binding against the raw edge of the quilt. Leave a 10 tail of binding unsewn, then stitch the binding in place using a 1/4″ seam allowance. The binding is sewn to the front of the quilt.
When you get to a corner, fold the binding away from the quilt.
Then fold it back towards the quilt.
Fold the flap out of the way, then stitch all the way to the corner.
Lift the needle and presser foot, turn the quilt 90 degrees, move the flap back, and continue stitching.
When you get back to the beginning of the binding, don’t stitch all the way up. Leave 10″ of the quilt without binding.
Trim one end of the binding at a 45 degree angle. Line up with the other end of the binding, and mark the cut end.
Cut the other end of the binding 1/2″ away from the mark (1/2″ longer).
Put the two ends right sides together, with 1/4″ tails hanging off each end. Stitch together.
Press seam open.
Stitch down this last part of the binding.
We are going to hand-stitch the binding down. If you’d like to stitch the binding by machine, you can find instructions at the end of the instructions for the play mat.
Use clips to clip the binding around to the back. You don’t have to clip the whole quilt – a couple feet at a time is fine.
Thread your needle. Start by securing the thread. A knot can work, but easier (and more secure) is three stitches in place in the seam allowance of the binding.
Stitch the binding down using small stitches right outside the stitching line that is holding the binding to the quilt.
Go all the way around the quilt, then you are done!
You can add a label to your quilt with your name, the name of the person you made the quilt for, and the date you finished the quilt. You can add other fun information to the label if you like – such as a quote, the city you live in, the pattern you used… whatever you think is memorable about the quilt!
