Hey there! Are you ready to finish your quilt and give it that polished look? Binding is the final step in the quilting process, and it can seem intimidating if you’ve never done it before. But fear not, because with a little practice and patience, you’ll be binding like a pro in no time!
What You’ll Need
Before we get started, let’s make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:- Quilt top- Batting- Quilt backing- Binding fabric (1/2 yard will usually suffice)- Rotary cutter- Ruler- Cutting mat- Sewing machine- Thread- Pins- Iron
Step 1: Prepare Your Binding
The first step in binding your quilt is to prepare your binding strips. Cut strips of fabric on the bias at 2 1/2 inches wide. Sew the strips together end to end, using a diagonal seam. Press seams open.
Step 2: Attach the Binding to the Quilt
Starting in the middle of one side of the quilt, place the binding strip raw edge even with the raw edge of the quilt. Leave a 6-inch tail of binding loose and begin sewing with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. When you reach a corner, fold the binding up and away from the quilt top to form a 45-degree angle. Fold it back down over itself, aligning the raw edges of the binding with the next side of the quilt. Sew it down with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Repeat this process for all four corners.
Step 3: Finish Sewing the Binding
When you’ve sewn all the way around the quilt, stop sewing approximately 6 inches before the beginning of your starting point. Fold the end of the binding back, so it meets the beginning tail. Trim the tails so they overlap by 2 1/2 inches. Unfold the tails and sew them together with a straight seam. Trim the excess fabric and press the seam open.
Step 4: Hand Stitch the Binding
Now it’s time to hand stitch the binding to the back of the quilt. Fold the binding over the raw edge of the quilt, and slip stitch it to the back. Use small, even stitches, making sure to catch the binding and backing fabric with your needle. Continue all the way around the quilt.
Tips
– When choosing binding fabric, consider using a solid color or a small print that won’t detract from your quilt top.- Use a walking foot on your sewing machine to help keep all layers of the quilt from shifting while you’re sewing.- To make sure your corners are crisp and sharp, trim the batting and backing at a 45-degree angle before folding the binding over them.- If you’re having trouble getting your binding to lie flat, try pressing it with a hot iron before sewing it down.
In Conclusion
Binding a quilt may seem like a daunting task, but with this step-by-step guide, you’ll be finishing your quilts like a pro in no time. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempts aren’t perfect. Just keep at it, and soon you’ll be binding beautiful quilts that will last a lifetime.Until next time, happy quilting!
