Thread: I need help with a Binding Question

After sandwiching and quilting, the backing of my quilt extends a little more than 3 inches past the edges of the quilt top. Do I fold this fabric over the front and use it for my binding or do I need to cut the excess fabric off even with the top edge and sew on a seperate strip for my binding? If so, how wide do I need to cut my strips? This will be my first time to do a binding and I want it to be done correctly and look as nicely as possible. Thank you in advance for your help.

Originally Posted by bigsister63

There a 2 ways you can do binding. If you want your binding to be the same as your backing then you can cut this extra fabric to 2", press fabric in half, fold it over sandwich and then stitch to the front. If you do not want the binding the same then you need to trim the all layers including backing even. Then cut 2 1/2" strips fold in half and attach to the sandwich. It can be attached to front if you want to hand stitch binding down or to back if you wan to machine stitch binding down. There are many good tuts on attaching binding. do a search on thise board oro the internet and you will find many. Good luck!!!!

I do my binding both ways with one difference. When using a seperate binding ( not turning backing to front) I sew the binding on before I trim the excess off. The quilt feeds through the dogs better when the walking foot or presser foot is on material. When you trim extra batting and backing first and then sew the binding on only half of the presser foot is being used and can cause the fabric to drift.

Hope this helps some.
peace

Nana up north;

I have heard this same information and I agree with it but so many people are afraid of anything that resembles 'bias'. Everyone should try a small sampler sandwich with bias binding just to try it and practice it.

One other thing that I learned right here on the QB is to not press the binding in half before you sew it to the quilt.
Just simply lay the two raw edges together as you align them on the edge of the quilt and sew them down.

I love this and never have a crease to deal with to get in the right place. Binding turns to the back easily and looks great!
peace

Yes, I agree...thanks, bigsister63! Also, unless you already have a binding tool, I would suggest the one from Fons & Porter. It's easy to use and my binding strips always meet perfectly. :-)

Originally Posted by bigsister63

There a 2 ways you can do binding. If you want your binding to be the same as your backing then you can cut this extra fabric to 2", press fabric in half, fold it over sandwich and then stitch to the front. If you do not want the binding the same then you need to trim the all layers including backing even. Then cut 2 1/2" strips fold in half and attach to the sandwich. It can be attached to front if you want to hand stitch binding down or to back if you wan to machine stitch binding down. There are many good tuts on attaching binding. do a search on thise board oro the internet and you will find many. Good luck!!!!

Originally Posted by nanna-up-north

I always cut the excess off once I've quilted my sandwich. It's not a good idea to use binding that is cut with the grain of fabric....... straight with the selvage or cut edge. The reason I was told is because with the straight of the fabric there is only one thread that runs along the edge and it will get worn and tear with use. I know that is true because I have several old quilts that have the binding worn along the fold. If you use bias strips you will have 100's of threads along the fold and they will make the edge stronger and less chance of wear.

I cut my bias 2 1/4" and fold it in half. Then, I sew it onto the quilt using a 1/4" seam. 2 1/2" width binding works well, too, like bigsister63 said. You'll want to check out some of the tuts to help you do the corners or round off the corners and you won't have to worry with that. Then, I turn the folded edge to the back and hand stitch it in place.

Good luck..... let us see your finished project..... I'm excited for you.

nanna

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 have used bias, and straight of grain, have never had a problem with either, Welcome to the world of quilting!Enjoy the adventure!