Binding & Edges

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.

The most unnerving aspect of shopping for fabric is the calculating how much fabric you actually need. To calculate the amount of binding needed, add the length and width and double the product. Divide the width of the fabric you are going to purchase by 40 inches, and then multiply that number by the width of the seam allowance. This task seems more complicated than it really is, but remember to keep your units in inches.