How to Sew Binding on Quilt: Master the Art in 10 Easy Steps (2024)

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Want to master the technique of quilt binding? It’s one of the most essential skills to turn your raw-edged project into a professional, finished quilt.

These ten easy steps will take you from preparing your quilt to sewing on the binding like an expert to troubleshooting everyday problems in this tutorial.

Expand and even out your methods to create clean, crisp edges that make your quilts stand out with this guide, whether for a beginner looking to start or for experienced quilters to perfect their techniques.

Let’s get started!

How to Sew Binding on Quilt?

To sew binding on a quilt, start by trimming excess fabric and batting.

Cut your binding strips, choosing between straight-cut or bias-cut, both measuring 2½” wide.

Join the strips, placing them perpendicular, right sides facing, and sew along a diagonal line, trimming the seam to ¼".

Pin the binding to the front of the quilt with a ¼" seam allowance, ensuring a 6-inch tail for flexibility.

Stitch using a walking foot for even feeding.

Miter the corners neatly and finish the binding by hand or machine, folding it to the front and securing with small, consistent stitches.

Want to master each step? Keep going!

Preparing the Quilt for Binding

Before you jump right into binding your quilt, some preparations need to be made with your masterpiece. First, the excess fabric and batting will need to be trimmed so that all of the edges of the quilt are straight as an arrow. You’ll want to use a large square ruler for this to hit those tricky corners.

After getting your quilt squared up, you want to focus on the binding strips. Give them a good once-over, checking seam allowances to guarantee a smooth finish. Don’t forget to iron those strips—a nice, crisp edge will make all the difference when you’re trying to attach it later.

A well-prepared quilt is half the battle won! If you do this, you set the ground for success with your binding. Trust me, Future You will thank you for this meticulous prep work

Cutting the Binding Strips

You’ll need to decide between straight-cut and bias-cut binding strips for your quilt. Straight-cut binding is easier to prepare and works well for quilts with straight edges, while bias-cut binding is more flexible and ideal for quilts with curved edges or when you want added durability

Straight-Cut Binding

Now that your quilt is ready, learn to make straight-cut binding—the easiest method for beginners.

Cut strips 2½" wide parallel to the selvage of your fabric. Since you need many of them to fit around the perimeter of the quilt with an extra 10", remember that the orientation of the fabric counts here!

Use a rotary cutter and ruler for accuracy. Take the strips once they’re cut out, then press them in half lengthwise, making a nice fold

Bias-Cut Binding

For bias-cut binding, you’ll cut strips at a 45-degree angle to the fabric’s grain. This method offers advantages like enhanced stretch and drape, perfect for curved edges.

However, it can be more challenging to work with. You’ll need more fabric, but the result is worth it

Joining the Binding Strips

Now that you have cut your binding strips, you want to join them into one continuous piece. This will be essential for the finished look of your quilt so no seams are showing on the side. Place two strips perpendicular to each other with right sides facing each other. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner and sew along this line. Trim the excess fabric to ¼" seam allowance. Press the seam open; this will help reduce bulk. Continue doing this with all your strips until you have one long binding piece.

For a professional finish, consider these tips:

• Bias join, for additional strength and flexibility

• Maintain a consistent stitch length for a polished look
• Match the weight of the fabric to promote even thickness in binding
• Press seams carefully to avoid puckering
• Double-check your work to prevent twisted binding strips

Attaching the Binding to the Quilt

Now that you’ve prepared your binding strips, it’s time to attach them to your quilt. Begin by pinning the binding to the front of your quilt, aligning the raw edges, and then sew it in place using a 1/4-inch seam allowance

Pinning the Binding

Now it’s time to secure your binding to the quilt. Start by aligning the raw edges of your binding with the quilt’s edge. Use pins to hold it in place, spacing them about 4-6 inches apart. Here’s a quick guide for pin placement:

Edge Type	Pin Spacing	Pin Angle	Tip
Straight	4-6 inches	90°	Finger press as you go
Curved	2-3 inches	45°	Ease fabric around curves
Corners	1/4 inch	45°	Miter for neat finish
Overlap	1/2 inch	90°	Secure ends tightly

Sewing the Binding

Now, it’s time to secure your binding. Start stitching, leaving a 6-inch tail at the end. Use matching thread and a walking foot for smooth feeding.

You want your stitch length pretty consistent—about 2.5-3mm. When you come close to corners, stop about ¼ of an inch from the edge, backstitch, and then get prepared to miter.

You know how it goes: steady hands do precise binding stitches. And you’re off running to conquer this most critical quilt-finishing technique!

Mitering the Corners

As you continue attaching the binding, you’ll soon hit one of the more significant challenges: mitering corners. It’s the magic that makes your quilt edges look nice and sharp. Stop stitching when about a quarter-inch away from the corner and backstitch. Now, here’s where the magic comes in: fold the binding strip up at a 45-degree angle, creating a diagonal fold. Bring it back down, aligning the raw edge with the next side of the quilt. This will give you a nice little tuck that will form your mitered corner.

For curved edges, you’ll want to use a marginally different angle. Make a bias strip width dimensionally agile enough to give shape smoothly. A miter presser foot, when available, can be pretty instrumental during the process by aiding you in maintaining steady angles. Keep in mind that texture is involved with the fabric; stiffer fabrics may have to have more impeccable measurements of the angle for perfect mitered seams.

Finishing the Binding by Hand

Now that you’ve mitered the corners, it’s time to finish the binding by hand. This technique creates a polished look with hidden stitches.

Choose a sturdy needle and strong thread for durability. Thread your needle with about 20 inches of single fold binding, and tie a quilter’s knot at the end.

Start by inserting the needle along the binding’s fold, catching a bit of the quilt backing. A thimble can be your best friend here, helping you push the needle through thick layers.

Use a blind stitch, working your way along the binding’s edge. Keep your stitches small and consistent for a neat appearance. As you go, make sure the binding lies flat against the quilt.

This hand binding method takes time, but the result is worth it – a beautifully finished quilt edge that’ll stand the test of time

Finishing the Binding by Machine

To finish your quilt binding by machine, you’ll start by attaching the binding to the back of the quilt. Once secured, fold the binding over to the front and use your sewing machine to stitch it down, creating a neat and durable finish

Attaching the Binding to the Back

Now that you’ve mastered hand-binding, let’s explore machine binding. Start by attaching the binding to the back of your quilt. This method offers:

• Faster completion
• Consistent stitching
• Durability for frequent washing

Align the raw edges of your binding with the quilt’s back edge. Use binding clips or pins to secure it in place. Choose a thread color that complements your binding fabric and quilt backing. Set your machine for a straight stitch and begin sewing, maintaining a consistent 1/4-inch seam allowance

Folding the Binding to the Front

Now that you’ve attached the binding to the back, it’s time to fold it to the front.

Carefully wrap the binding around the quilt edges, ensuring a tight, even fold. Use binding clips or pins to hold it in place.

Pay special attention to the mitered corners, maintaining their crisp angle.

If you’re using bias tape, smooth it out to prevent puckering.

This step sets you up for a polished finish with decorative stitches

Securing the Binding With Machine Stitches

Now that you’ve folded the binding to the front, it’s time to secure it with machine stitches.

Set your machine stitch length to 2.5-3 mm for a clean finish. Choose a matching thread type and adjust the tension for smooth stitching.

Use a walking foot or dual feed system to prevent shifting. Stitch close to the binding’s folded edge, catching both front and back layers.

For a decorative touch, try a blind hem stitch or other fancy machine stitches

Additional Tips for Sewing Quilt Binding

Help yourself quilt and sew your binding from the top; consider these few more tips. Use a walking foot or dual feed system for adequate fabric feeding. It avoids puckering and ensures smooth walking through. "Walk" the binding around the perimeter of your quilt before stitching to be sure it reaches all corners smoothly. Make up a mini mat and ruler set for easier trimming. These will have you getting accurate cuts with no hassle at all. Don’t be afraid to add decorative stitches on the front and back of your quilt that will catch corners to definitely personalize your work.

*Imagine a smooth, perfectly aligned binding hugging your quilt’s edges.

• Imagine how smoothly your sewing machine can move with a walking foot.
• Envision Absolutely Perfect 45-degree Angle Cuts on Your Binding Strips

Envision yourself confidently stitching decorative patterns along the edge of the quilt.

Choosing the Right Binding Fabric and Thread

When choosing binding fabric and thread for your quilt, consider the weight of the fabric and how it complements your quilt’s overall design. Select a thread that matches or coordinates with your binding fabric, ensuring it’s strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of frequent use

Fabric Weight Considerations

When choosing your binding fabric, consider its weight and composition. You’ll want it to match your quilt’s fabric for a cohesive look and feel. Here’s a quick guide:

Quilt Fabric	Binding Weight	Thread Type
Light	Lightweight	Fine
Medium	Medium-weight	All-purpose
Heavy	Heavyweight	Heavy-duty

Color Coordination Strategies

When choosing your binding fabric, consider color coordination to enhance your quilt’s overall look. You’ve got options: match the border, go for complementary hues, or create contrast with bold fabrics.

Monochromatic schemes work well, while patterned fabrics add interest. For a unique touch, try Liberty lawn fabric.

Don’t forget to adjust your presser foot accordingly!

Thread Type Selection

First, consider the weight, color, composition, strength, and luster as you choose your thread for your quilt binding. You want a thread that will blend well with your quilt sandwich and binding fabric.

An excellent all-purpose choice would be a 50-weight cotton thread; it’s suitable for most of your needs. You can use a matching thread color or pick one for contrast so that it pops visually on the outside edge.

It has to be strong enough to bear the stress at corners and along the quarter-inch seam. Remember, the right thread is what makes all the difference between a beautiful back seam and a weak one

Troubleshooting Common Binding Issues

Even with careful preparation, you might encounter some binding hiccups.

If you’re facing uneven binding, double-check your strip width and seam allowance. Puckering binding often results from inconsistent tension, so adjust your machine settings.

Bulky corners? Try trimming excess batting before attaching the binding. If your binding’s too loose, you may need to increase the seam allowance slightly. Conversely, a binding that’s too tight might require a wider strip.

Pesky corners giving you trouble? Practice those diagonal seams and miters. Wandering stitches can be tamed with a walking foot or by pinning more frequently

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)