Binding ??'s
 

I am considering binding a table topper by using the backing and folding it over to the front. I have NEVER done that, and am not certain really how to do it. How wide should the binding be? Can you mitre the corners? Do you stitch the binding down with regular or decorative stitching? My reason for attempting this - on a Christmas gift, no less - is I think it will make the table topper reversible. (I won't be adding a label, but just sign/date it somewhere on the top)

Thanking you in advance for the great advice I will get here!

P.S. Don't know why my colored icon showed up in the title...can't figure out how to use those little buggers on the board yet!

I have seen this done on a quilt. They usually leave a one inch wide strip. Do miter corners. And yes, I have seen a decorative stitch used. Before folding backing over, clip off the points on each corner almost even with the front of the topper as this makes the mitering easier using the backing over front method. Fold the backing over with raw edge meeting edge of topper; fold over again making the double fold, then stitch down.

You described it well. That is how I do my binding on placemats. My preference for everything else is the french binding.

ShabbyTabby is right and has explained it really well. I have done this and it works out to look very nice.

Here's a how-to: http://www.quiltqua.com/articles/sel...tered-corners/

I think eleanor burns has a video somewhere of how to do it using that tool

We use this method all the time for our Community quilts. We cut the backing 1" - 1 1/4" wide and do exactly what Shabby Tabby explained. If the backing is flannel, a wider binding is easier to handle. A binding finished this way is quick to complete and wears well. I find by the time the binding is wearing out, the rest of the quilt is too.