Binding Color
 

Hi, I just back my sister's quilt from the LAQ, now I just need to bind it and it's done. How do I pick a color for the binding? Is it always a darker color? Will a lighter shade do? Thanks for your input. :)NormaBeth

Darker frames it in and closes the image. Lighter opens up the image so your eye follows it from center out.

It's whatever you want. Audition a few colors and see which you like best. Sometimes I do it in the same fabric as the outer border, sometimes in one of the fabrics from the quilt, sometimes from a fabric that wasn't in the quilt but I like the way it looks. Lots of options but it's your choice.

Gateway is right. If you match it to the last border then it's not seen. If you use a contrast or another fabric used in the quilt it will be seen.

I love a good stripe ;-)

I bind all my quilts in a small black and white check or stripe or zigzag so I guess I'm no help. LOL

Take the quilt into your LQS and ask them. They will help you find the right fabric for the binding. Another Idea is to use the scraps from the quilt and piece them together.

You can use anything that looks good to you!!!

you can always put together a binding strip from scraps of materials from the quilt...see how helpful we all are at helping you answer your question??

I usually audition different fabrics till I find the one I like. Lay the top on the fabric so that just a little strip shows beyond the edge of the top--about the width your binding would be. Stand back a few feet and see if you like the way it looks. I personally am a big fan of stripes, cut on the bias. They are especially fun for a child's quilt. It all depends on the look you're after.

I like using stripes, too, but always cut on the bias.

Like many of the combinations we use with our fabric choices, this is a personal choice. If it is to be a gift then it is nice to make it something the receiver would like.

Bottom line: if you don't like it, don't do it.

I like to use a binding color the same as/or similar to one presently in the quilt. If I have a small amount of x color in the quilt and I want it to 'pop' more, I'll use that. Sometimes something that just coordinates with everything else in the quilt. I don't think I've ever done binding the same as the border. I like to use a different color to 'frame' the entire quilt.

I like to use a large print that contains the colors of the quilt and then cut on the bias. Or a stripe cut on the bias. And definitely a color that contrasts with the outermost border.

As others have mentioned, try various fabrics for the binding. I find that is I take a picture, it helps with my decision. Good luck & post pictures, please.

I even make scrappy bindings from all the leftover fabric used in the quilt.
peace