2 1/2" binding, how wide do I sew it? 1/4"? 3/8"? ??
 

So, how wide do I sew it to the back when I want to machine sew it to the front? Thank you, Jeanne

I always use my 1/4" foot for the first seam. It gives me a nice straight edge and I don't cut off my points!

2-1/2 inch strips should be sewn with a 3/8 inch seam.

I sew 1/4 inch whether my binding is 2 1/2 or 2 1/4.

i use a 3 inch double fold sewn with1/4 inch seam hand stitch to the back---never go back to the smaller as this flips over soo much more easily

I always use a 1/4" seam when sewing on binding as I do when piecing.

I sew about a 3/8 inch seam, which is the width of my normal foot. It seems to work well for me.

Dina

As you can see, lots of ways to do it. I move the binding so that its edge is 1/4" from the edge of the quilt sandwich, then sew with scant 1/4" seam, then sew the back by hand. I wind up with a 1/2" binding. I move the binding closer to the edge if the quilt sandwich is thicker than usual.

i cut my binding strips at 2.25" and sew a .25" seam

I mostly use 2 1/2 inch binding and use 1/4 seam. then I flip it to the back and pin from the front right next to the binding, making sure to catch the binding on the back. then machine stitch. good luck.
if i hand stitch it on the back, i sometimes cut 2 1/4 inch binding. still stitch 1/4 seam though.

2 1/2" binding should have a 3/8" seam to get perfect corners. I think the 1/4" seam produces sloppier looking finished corners. Just my opinion after testing both some time back.

You can use either 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch. Honestly, it's both a personal preference and somewhat of a dependence on what kind of batting you used. If you use a very thin batting, 3/8 inch works just fine. For a thicker batting, you might have better luck with 1/4 inch.

I agree with IAmCatOwned, if I use warm and natural I do a 2.5 with 3/8 inch (just happens to be the width of my walking foot with needle set over) works great and when turned the binding is same size on both front and back. BUT, it really really depends on the batting. I just love that we all have different ways but they all work....

I agree with a lot of the people here. It depends on the batting. I usually use Warm and Natural, which is fairly thin but has a nice heft and density. Sewing 1/4" around for the binding is ok with that batting, for a smaller quilt. When I make a large quilt, I use 3/8". That gives me a little extra wiggle room for getting the whole thing through the machine, while it's pulling to the side. I don't end up with a wiggly line, but the machine has more to hold on to when I use a 3/8" seam for the binding. My 1/4" seam allowance doesn't cover the second walking foot. I like 1/4" for the binding on the front because my backings are usually solid, so a wider binding is actually nicer looking.

And even if I had a smaller quilt, but was using a higher loft batting, I'd move over to 3/8" for the same reason.

You don't want any flat area on the binding it needs to be full. A 2.5" bind ing should be sewed 3/8'inch. A 2.25" binding should be sewed .25". Having said that you sometimes need to take I to account the batting thickness. The top and back binding edges should end in the same place.

It really depends on the width of your batting. If you have very thin batting, you might want to sew with a 1/2" seam. If you have mid-loft batting, you might want to sew with a 1/4" seam. If unsure, create a sample quilt sandwich, sew on a scrap piece of binding, and see if you can turn it to the opposite side and have the turned binding end where you want it.

One thing to keep in mind if you plan to miter the corners (which is what most quilters do) is that you *must* stop your seam the same distance from the edge as the width of your seam allowance. If you sew a 1/4" seam, stop sewing 1/4" from the edge in order to have a good miter. If you sew a 3/8" seam, stop sewing 3/8" from the edge. If you sew a 1/2" seam, stop sewing 1/2" from the edge. Otherwise your miters will not work out.

I am just happy and proud for you Jeanne - I know binding isn't your favorite thing to do!

Don't try to overthink it, just start... you'll be done with it before you know it.

I was taught this way as well.

That's how I do it. I find the 2 -1/2 too wide when a 1/4 inch seam is used to attach the binding.

I too cut my binding at 2 1/4" and sew a 1/4" seam. I used to cut it 2 1/2" with 1/4" seam and it always came out uneven.

I agree with piepatch. I always use a 1/4" seam when sewing on the binding. Never thought to use any other.

I don't trim my batting and backing until the binding is sewn on. I sew a 1/4" seam (using my 1/4" foot), no matter the width of binding, and then trim the batting and backing accordingly, usually 1/2" from the seam line for 2 1/2" binding. I like really stuffed bindings.

Ditto. It's always better to use a scrap sandwich to help figure out what is going to work the best for the batting being used. It also allows me to check my stitch length to make sure it is what I need with adding the two layers of double fold binding to the three layers of the sandwich - total of five layers (vs the stitch length for quilting when you have 3 layers). Your mitered corners will look perfectly fine as long as you follow the above suggestions for stopping your seam from the edge. Good luck to you!

The practice piece is always a good idea.

When I use a 2.5 inch batting with warm and natural batting - I use a smidge wider than 3/8 inch seam - but I prefer wider bindings.

It also depends on how much you want the binding to wrap around the back - do you want it to barely cover the first stitching? Do you want it to be wider on the back than on the front?

I would use a 2 1/4 with a 1/4 inch seam if machine sewing it on. From my last quilt experience, I was short on fabric so I did 2 1/4 when I usually do 2 1/2 and it meets evenly front and back. I'm hand tacking but if I were to machine sew it it would hit perfectly. I would test it....only takes a few stitches! Happy quilting!!

I'm binding a quilt today (DSD Christmas present) and only have 2" widths left for binding. Will use scant 1/4 inch and hand sew to back (fingers crossed).
Annie

Well here's what has worked for me.I only use 21/4 bindings on small wall hangings and table runners and do the 21/2 bindings for the larger bed quilts.....I like the look of hand stitched bindings unless it's a kids floor quilt and then maybe I would machine it......

I use 2.75" binding with a 3/8" seam allowance, adjusted slightly depending on thickness. Instead of doing a sample to test, I set the stitch length to a little longer and start my sewing of the binding a smidge inside 3/8" and sew for about 8-10". Then I reach back and test the turn of the binding, which is my opinion should be completely filled with quilt and turn to the point of the stitch line on the back. I set the stitch length to normal and make the adjustment in the seam allowance. Rarely do I have to remove the stitches because the seam is too wide, but if I do they are bigger and easy to remove. If the first stitching was too narrow, then when I get back around to that side, I just sew past the original start point for 8-10" until I overlap where the right width is.

Ditto for me.

I agree with mucky that your binding needs to be full. there are two ways that I think about this---the first is that I sew a 1/4" seam from the edge of the top piece sewing binding on, THEN trim all thicknesses to 3/8" before turning to the back to handstitch down. Or sometimes I get impatient/stupid and trim first to 3/8" them sew binding on at 3/8". The whole idea to me is to have your binding feel full with no feeling of only the 2 thicknesses of binding fabric hanging out there together---needs to be thick to the edge of binding.

Wanted to remind you to fold the binding (and press) before sewing to your quilt. I use a 1/4 inch seam.

I use a 1/4 inch binding as well, before getting started make sure u have somewhat evenly cut around your quilt so you have a good idea of where to sew that looks nice and even!

I used to press my bindings before sewing them on, but found that they actually turn out better if I don't press first!

I do pin or baste the binding edges together so they stay even before sewing the binding to the quilt.

The center fold is actually 'off' a bit by the time the binding is folded to the unsewn side. The outer layer has a longer distance to go than the inner layer of the binding.

I agree. My favorite width of binding.

Again, this depends on the thickness you are working with ... I've had flannel binding that needed to be cut at 3" but I fought it with the 2.5 rather than take it all off. I find that using the edge of my walking foot gives me a nice binding.