I was wondering if the backing of a quilt could be brought to the front and used instead of binding? Is this done at all?

I did this with a wall hanging that my SIL had started before she got sick. There wasn't enough fabric left to make binding, and instead of buying something to contrast I just decided to pull it around the front and tack it down like a binding. It worked fine and I think it looked OK. Will be interested to see if anyone else has done this!

I have a quilter friend this is all she does and it is beautiful. Worked perfectly for her. I have not tried it just the old fashion way. I say go for it! And welcome to our board!!

Self-binding using the backing is a very old method, has been done for many many decades.

i do it whenever my backing fabric coordinates well with the fabs in the top.

it takes good pressing/pinning; but you could probably use the elmers glue method to hold it for stitching doing it this way. i have not tried the gluing methods yet, but i have done self-binding on a couple quilts.

This is absolutely true....that is how they used to do it years ago and many people still do it that way today.

I use this method all the time for our Community quilts that our guild gives away. I also use it on quick quilts that are going to get a lot of use. It's a fast way to get done and I find that it wears well. I just cut my backing fabric 1" wider, fold under 1/4", wrap to front making sure everything is tucked in and top stitch on the front sometimes using a machine decorative stitch. It looks great and unless you were a quilter you would never know that I hadn't applied a separate binding. It's guaranteed to match! My MIL who is still quilting at 87 has always finished her quilts this way and she learned it from her grandmother in the 30's.

I know alot of people that do it. I read somewhere if you make your own binding it is stronger.

Yup, that is the only way my grandmother did hers.

I do it this way for charity quilts but I go one step further and make sure I have enough backing to double it before stitching down. Makes for a more durable binding that doesn't wear thru as quickly.

A doubled layer where the backing/binding comes over to the front of the quilt will last longer than a single layer.
This is true no matter what method of binding you use.
More layers means it will take more wear.
And if you wear out a single layer of self-binding, there is nothing to fall back on in years to come - it would have to have a new binding anyway.
If the quilt is not for long-term life, then it doesn't make a lot of difference.
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I just did this on a customer's quilt for her. It is what she wanted and it looked great.

Sure - many people used to do this in the olden days. I have several quilts, both antique and made in the 60's to 70's that use the backing as the binding. I know there are some folks that still do it today, especially for wall hangings, as I read questions about it periodically. I don't know that I'd do it for a show quilt though.

The only reason a regular binding normally is used is to double the fabric on the edge, as the binding is the first item to show wear. Using a bias, where the threads run diagonally will show wear even less than the straight binding. Both can also be used as an artistic detail.

At least...this is what I was taught by a very old quilter :)

Debbie in Austin (who didn't read all the feedback and hope she's not repeating!)

Certainly you can do it. I personally don't care for the method but you can do it whichever way you want to, it's your quilt. No quilt police here. LOL

I embroider lap quilts, and when I'm done, I put a thin
piece of batting on the back of the quilt and use fabric as a backing to cover up the threads from embroidering the quilt. I always bring the back fabric over the edges and use it as binding. Looks nice and works well. The only difference between this way of binding and the traditional way of binding is when it comes to the ends of the quilt and the ends are round, I do need to gather the binding a bit to get it to gracefully turn the corner.

Plus, a self-binding is part of the main body of the quilt and if the binding is damaged, the main part of the quilt is damaged.

if the separate binding gets worn, the main quilt is not damaged, and you (or someone down the years!) can just replace the applied binding with another, and on the quilt goes for its next 50 years!!
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I have used this method if my backing makes a good binding color to match the top.I am not really picky about by backing and tend to use a solid color. If I do that and I do not want that solid for my binding then I make my bindiing out of a coordinating print.

Yes, it is one of the oldest methods of binding--you see it quite often on antique quilts. Not a good idea to do this on a quilt that is going to get a lot of wear and cleaning. The binding just doesn't hold up as well.
Usually it is ok to use on wallhangings.
I have a wallhanging I am ready to do self binding. It has been hand pieced and hand quilted and I didn't want to use machine applied binding. I guess I just want to be able to say I did it ALL by hand.

Good luck
Chris

My grandmother and aunt (now 91 years old) did all their quilts that way.

I've done it-don't love it, but it's really personal choice.

I have done it on quilts before and it worked great. They have held up just fine too.

I do it all the time. Usually on items that aren't going to get a lot of handling or washing like wall hangings and table toppers.
There are no quilt police. Go for it.

I do this all the time. It works great for me.

I do it all the time, either to the front or if it works out better to the back. I especially like it for usuable quilts and kids quilts as the edge is a lot softer and you do not add weight.

Great idea saves time but for me not as nice looking. I've done it on small qults

Great idea saves time but for me not as nice looking. I've done it on small qults

Yes, it works great for me. J J

Self binding has worked very well for me. It is easy and if the backing coordinates with the top, why not?

Yes, many of my quilts have been done that way and they look great and it is a very easy way to bind them, but it usually has to be planned for (at least several inches of extra backing beyond the quilt's edge) -- experts recommend that the "binding" should be handsewn, not on the machine -- go for it, girl!

That is how I originally learned to do binding. I prefer the look of a separate binding now, but still use this method on occasion. After folding it to the front and pinning, I would use a zig zag or decorative stitch for added interest.

:)

I did this with a quilt I made for one of my grand daughters. The top was Yellow Brick Road pattern, I used mostly batiks, bright girly colors of deep pink, limes, purples, etc. Instead of batting I used minky on the back of the quilt. Lime green. I pulled it around to the front and it served as a frame and binding for the quilt. I hand sewed it down. The lime green really pulled it all together! It's somewhat lightweight, flexible. The soft cuddly minky side the warm side, the batiky flowery side is summery and cool. Good luck and many hours of happy sewing!
Angela

You sure can.I have done mine that way before.

I have made several Downy Quilts for Kids using this method as that is the one they recommend and they also recommend that it be sewn with a zig zag stitch to prevent it from getting caught on tubes, wires, etc. These quilts are laundered very frequently so I am sure this method makes a durable binding for general purposes. Not every quilt is a show quilt and who cares what the quilt police say anyway? :)

I have a question... How do you fold the corners so they look nice and flat?