Thread: I need help with a Binding Question

Originally Posted by Gramie bj

I have used bias, and straight of grain, have never had a problem with either

Ditto, and I wanted to add that whether you use the backing or cut it off and sew on binding is totally a personal choice. It's your quilt, do what you like.

Originally Posted by Peckish

Ditto, and I wanted to add that whether you use the backing or cut it off and sew on binding is totally a personal choice. It's your quilt, do what you like.

I think that "it's your quilt, do what you like" is the part that gives newbies fits. The real problem is not knowing what you like yet when you're new to something.

That said, I folded over the backing on the first quilt I made. A lot of really old quilts are bound that way. The problem with that method is by the time the edge wears out you don't have any of the original fabrics left to repair it with.

I personally like French fold, straight grain binding. French fold is the one where you fold the binding in half and sew both raw edges to the quilt. Single fold or double fold are where the raw edges are folded in to the center of the binding and it's only one layer thick over the edge of the quilt. All of them can be cut on cross, lengthwise or bias grain lines.

Originally Posted by GrannieAnnie

I will NEVER use bias binding for a straight edged quilt. Too much chance of the binding getting pulled out of shape and causing binding or quilt puckers.

I only use bias if I am binding a curve, like oval place mats or round potholders or scalloped quilt edge. I do prefer my straight of grain binding to be folded in half (I believe this is called a French binding) then sewn on basically double, this way you have double binding on the edge of the quilt which seems to get the Most abuse. IMHO

I'd just like to stick my nose into the conversation, to share a binding tip. If you can, use a patterned/printed fabric, for your binding (rather than solid). With a print, your stitches won't be as obvious and if they get a bit crooked, it won't be as noticeable. Even better, is to add a printed border and match your binding to that! With the right color thread, those stitches will all but disappear!

You don't *need* to do anything! Whatever way you choose to do it is right. I've done it both ways. Folding over is easier, but the stitching will show unless you hand-finish it. And I find that the corners are a little harder to miter that way. I think I'm a separate binding person, because I like the little extra splash of color a good binding can bring.

For the fold over, if it's a big quilt, I fold the backing in so the raw edge goes just under the batting, then fold over the rest. I double-check my width using (usually) a 2-finger rule. Any less than that and it's a pain for me. It's probably about an inch and a half.

For binding, I use 2.5", folded in half along the length and then pressed. I use a quarter inch seam for smaller quilts, and 3/8" for larger ones (leaves me a little more wiggle room when feeding through the machine). In either case, I hand-finish to the back using an applique stitch so it's invisible.

Since you have 3" left, I think you can do either method

I never use bias or straight of grain binding strips. I use 2-1/2" strips, cut width of fabric, Fold in half and press, joined on the diagonal and usually round my corners, I pull the binding kind of tight when I sew onto the front, then hand stitch onto the back. I suggest you look this up on here or look in quilting books and try different ways to see what works for you. I have been quilting 45-46 years.