look up this online, bringing backing to the front for binding. there should be info out there for you and maybe a video, tute too. good luck. it can be done.

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! :thumbup:

LOL, it's a real delicate balance between the two!

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.

Go to YouTube and type in "quilt binding". Up will pop so many different ways to bind. I do not like to bind quilts. I am not "into" binding for some reason, even though that's the very end of the quilt. But, if you type that in, you will find out many ways to choose from. That's probably the easiest way to learn. You need to put the raw edges of the binding against the raw edges of the quilt and sew it that way. No one said that. I wouldn't know that if I never bound a quilt before. I thought I would mention it in case you didn't know that part. But check out YouTube. Lots of variety!!

So many opinions. I have done both ways. Depending on the quilt and it's purpose. Sometimes it depends on how much fabric I have for binding if it is a scrap quilt. Usually the backing folded to the front does just fine on this. As a newbie, I hope you will continue to quilt and you can have the opportunity to try one and then another. If you still are undecided, make a couple small wall quilts to give a try on.

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