Binding & Edges

This is a two-sided tip:  When I am sewing a quilt top and I have decided which binding I want to finish off the project, I cut, sew and press the amount of binding needed--before I quilt the quilt.  So that if I am quilting on my short-arm I don't have to stop and change feet to make the binding,  just to turn around and put the walking foot back on to sew the binding to the edge.  Here comes the taming part of the tip: Most of our machines come with a second thread holder attachment--since I never seemed to use that feature on my machine I decided to put it to work--I take an empty thread spool--I prefer a 1000m Gutermann--it nicely holds enough binding for a Queen size Quilt--then I roll the binding onto the spool and secure the end with a flat head flower pin (any long, thin pin would work too).  When it its time to sew the binding on I get out my second thread spool holder and attach it to the top of my machine, place the "spool of binding" on the holder, un-pin and sew the binding to the quilt.  This has put an end to the binding snake that used to crawl all over my sewing room floor--as everything is now nice, tidy and up off the floor!   *I would be happy to provide you with a few how-to photos*

When hand sewing your binding to your quilt, match the thread to the quilt backing.  It will blend and stitches will not show.

No matter what width you like your binding to be, when sewing it on, instead of using the 1/4" allowance,  sew it on using about 1/3 of its width.  Then when you fold it around to the back, it will wrap the same distance over as it shows on the front.  For instance, if you want 1/2" binding to show on both sides, you would use 3" cut, fold in half to make it 1 1/2", sew a 1/2" seam allowance when applying, fold around 1/2" and you will have 1/2" on the front and 1/2" on the back.  Hand stitch down. 

I roll unused Binding on empty Spools Tape the end to the inside and then roll it up just pin or tape the end.

Darlene Rose

I have always struggled with that final seam in my double fold binding, where you started attaching the binding to the quilt, and must end.  I don't like the lap or tuck method (too bulky and ugly) and the straight seam doesn't look like all the other seams.  To fingure out how much overlap you need to make the same diagonal seam you used for all the other seams in your binding, simply make the overlap the same distance as the width you cut your binding.  Then, join with the same diagonal seam you used for the rest of your binding, and, voila!  Perfect diagonal seam!

Use the small Kleenix boxes to put your binding in.  Just stuff it in and pull out as you are sewing on to your quilt, it stays clean and untangled.

I use empty ribbon spools to contain my bindings. It stores them with out creases. and keeps it untangled while I'm sewing it on to the finished quilt tops. I either put it on a dowel (like an old paper towel holder) or toss it on the floor to unravel as I pull it.

As a beginning quilter, I discovered that if I marked a sewing line on my binding fabric before sewing it on to the quilt it made for a straighter 1/4 inch seam.  After sewing I turn the binding over and press lightly before pinning the back in place. 

There are two choices in binding, bias binding and regular binding. Bias binding is cut on the bias and is more durable than the regular binding. For this reason, bias binding should be used on any quilt that will be regularly used, such as a bed quilt, baby quilt, or lap quilt. Bias binding also works well on quilts with a curved edge. Regular binding works best on quilts that will be displayed but not used. These bindings are cut with the grain of the fabric.

The binding should first be ironed in half, and then it should be attached to the top of the quilt using a seam with a quarter-inch allowance. The other edge of the binding should be attached using the blind stitch. As the name implies, after the stitch is secure, it cannot be seen. In order to make a blind stitch, roll the binding to the back of the quilt, covering the initial seam connecting the binding to the top of the quilt.