Once your quilt is all quilted it is ready for the very last step… BINDING! Binding a quilt is super fun and rewarding because once you are done, you have a finished quilt!
This is the first post in a four part series all about quilt binding.
Part One: About Binding and How to Make it
Part Two: Attaching Binding
Part Three: Hand Binding
Part Four: Machine Binding
The binding that is most used is Double Fold Binding. (also called French Fold Binding) Here are some great things about it.
-Super durable
-Easy to make and attach
-Can be made on the straight grain or bias
-Wears well, good choice for any type of quilt
You can purchase commercially made binding. This can be a great time saver if you choose the right one. There are two main types of binding available.
-Precut and packaged binding tape: This is found as a notion in most fabric stores. This is NOT for quilts! This binding is made of 50% polyester and 50% cotton. It is way different that your quilting cotton.
-Precut Binding Rolls: This type of binding is made with the high quality quilting cotton fabric. Lots of Etsy sellers and shops sell premade binding. The main drawback is the limited choice of colors/patterns.
When sending out your quilts to a longarm quilter most of them will have some sort of binding service. Weather they attach it to the front, or fully make the binding and attach it to your quilt this is a great option! You still have all the choices for color/pattern but you don’t have to make/attach the binding.
Be sure to check out all the different binding services I offer!
How to Make Binding
Supplies:
-Fabric (calculate how much you need here!)
-Rotary mat
-Rotary cutter
-Rulers
-Sewing Machine
-Iron
-Pins/scissors can be used
1-Cut fabric into 2.5 inch strips.
2- Trim off all the selvedge.
3- Line up binding strips right sides together. Line up on the 45 degree angle. Then sew a straight line from corner to corner. It might help to draw a line to show where to sew. Pinning also might help keep the strips straight. I like to use Diagonal Seam Tape.
Sew all the strips together. Then trim 1/4 inch from the seams.
4- Iron all the seams open.
5- Iron binding in half, lining up the raw edges.
6-All done! Roll or fold the binding to keep it from fraying until you are ready to use it.
Thank you so much for reading!
~Emily
Next up: Attaching Binding
