Binding
 

Hi can someone help me with my binding dilemma, I want to make my binding 2 inches wide my quilting buddy says that's too narrow and it should be at lease 21/4 inches wide and that's the smallest I should go any help would be appreciated. TIA

I always do 2 ans 1/2 inches folded over. I think the smallest I would do is 2 and 1/4.

I agree...cutting your binding 2 1/2 inches wide will give you a nice narrow binding. I wouldn't do it any less.

As the saying goes ... it's your quilt, do it the way YOU want to!

Theoretically it should work ....
1/4" seam allowance
1/4"+ front
over the edge and
1/4"+ back _________
All that adds up to 3/4" plus ... double folded 1-1/2", which gives you 1/2" extra for the folds and sandwich thickness.

Will it work? It really depends on how thick your quilt sandwich is, when the binding goes over that edge.

Try a short piece first and see if you have enough to do the flip to the back, and still cover the machine stitching.

If so ....... go for it!!
........ doing it the way YOU want to do it! :)

I do mine 2 1/4 that works best for me!

I do 2 1/2 or 2 1/4. Never tried it less than that but if your quilt is not thick I think you could do a 2" binding if you wanted a very narrow one. Why don't you test it out on a scrap sandwich like your quilt and see if you like it?

I agree. I used to cut all of my binding at 2-1/4". Now I cut all of my binding at 2-1/2" so that any left-overs can be used with jelly rolls as well. Left-ver 2-1/4" binding pieces were not good for anything else since it was an odd size. I do think it is the perfect size for binding, but I like having useful scraps too.

If you want to use a narrow binding, that is fine (I had to do it on one quilt where I miscut the strips and didn't have enough fabric left to recut). I would recommend pressing the edges of the quilt just prior to sewing on the binding.

Cheers, K

I cut a 3" strip, then iron it folded in half to 1 1/2" for the binding.

I use 2" all the time. It makes a nice narrow binding. Good luck and have fun.

I use 2" all the time now. When one of my quilts were judged, a judge told me that I was ready for 2" bindings and my quilts would look better, so I do it all the time. Two inches is fine unless you are binding a purse, bag or something that may be two thick to wrap the edges with the 1" you have after it is folded.

I use 2" also. It makes for a nice crisp binding that is the same width on front and back. I think it looks better than 2.25" or 2.5".

A lot depends on your batting. I usually do 2" for my bindings, but it might not be enough for a thicker batting.

Your best bet is to make a sample quilt sandwich using your batting, cut a 2" strip, then apply it and see how it looks. If it's too difficult to turn the binding to the wrong side to cover up the machine stitching, then you may want to cut the strips a little wider.

Incidentally, I recommend ironing the binding away from the quilt body before turning; makes turning much easier and the binding more even on the wrong side!

It all depends on the thickness of the batting. If the batting is thick then I cut mine 3 inches wide and use a wider seam. Hope that made sense.

I use to use 2 1/2 now I use 2 1/4. I just did a scallop edge and it called for 2 inches. That's what I did but I found it a little tight. I prefer 2 1/4.

Totally agree with the recommendation to press the binding away from the quilt body. It made it so much easier for me to bind the last quilt - I didn't feel like I was fighting to keep the binding folded over while I was stitching. I use the clips that look like old fashioned hair clips - and use about 10 at a time a few inches apart to hold down the next section of the binding.

Cheers, K

I know a very good quilter who prefers a very narrow binding and she uses 2" strips. Personally I like the look of a slightly wider binding and use 2 1/4". If I am using a thinner batting NOT polyester puff or wool. I usually leave an extra 1/4" of batting past the top when trimming so I can fold it over and have a nice full binding.

I always cut my binding 2 inches. I prefer a narrower binding. You can actually cut it any size you want. I had a friend cut a binding 1-3/4" because she didn't have enough fabric to make it wider. It turned out great. Go with your preference.

I think I'm going to start cutting 2" binding strips. I've always used 2 1/4". I use warm and white/natural batting. The only trouble I have with 2" binding is covering the corners. Lately I've been cutting the corners off diagonally (not cutting through the binding), and the corners turn much better. I just tried it on a small wall hanging and it worked great.

You need to do what works for you, of course.

I'm going to be the odd one out here...i always do my binding at 3" then fold. My quilt bindings are generally the width of my walking foot - which gives me about 3/8" seam allowance - or 3/8 - 1/2" binding showing on the front side...usually a little more showing on the back side. It's what works best and easiest for me....so i would suggest you use whatever works best for you - as we have all agreed, there are not quilt police.

It really depends on the size of a quilt. Normally, I always cut my binding 2.25" but then a lot of my quilts were in competition and were hand stitched to the back.

But with miniature quilts, you might want to cut a 2" border. I am making mug rugs and I like the look of 1.75" double folded binding. It is a little snug when hand stitched to the back but they are usually 6.5" finished square. Hope this helps.

Just want to add to what everyone has suggested. When you sew down the binding to the quilt be sure to use no more than 1/4" seam.

I use 2.5 folded over. I also use a lot of fleece for my backing so I need the extra. As suggested try a sample to see what works for you. It's your quilt do what works for you and what you want. BrendaK

I've always done better with 2-2 1/4 binding!

I also use 2 inch all the time with no problems. Sometimes when I use more it seems like it's fatter in some places when I fold it over. That doesn't make any sense I know but I like how the more narrow looks. Also depends on your batting, if it's too thick then the 2 in might be a problem. Do a test!

I also use 2" all the time

Do a small test on a 6 inch length and a few inches wide sandwich to see what works best for your fabrics and batting choices and us how far from the edge of the quit you ar going to make the first stitches.

As everyone else has said, you can really make your binding whatever width you want. Making it narrower does make it a bit harder to apply, though, so I'm wondering why you want to do 2", and how much experience you have with quilting.If you haven't bound a quilt before, I would recommend 2.25 or 2.5". It will be easier to sew down, and won't make a much wider border. That being said, I did 2" on my first quilt because I didn't know any better, and it worked ok. It was more challenging, though, and as I did it I decided I would cut it wider next time.If you've bound a quilt before, your batting isn't high loft, and you aren't using flannel, then go for it - 2" is fine, especially if it gives the look you want.

It is a personal preference. I like a narrow binding. I use my walking foot however to apply the binding and that has a 3/8" presser foot so that is my seam allowance and not 1/4" as many use. This means I need a slightly wider binding strip to allow for that. 2" is really tight using a 3/8" seam allowance so I generally go with 2 1/4 or 2 1/2. I never press my binding because I want a soft fold on the edge I'm going to hand sew to the back. It makes it much easier to make my stitches nearly invisible. One last note - when you are mitering your corners stop stitching the distance of your seam allowance from the corner. If you are using 1/4" seam allowance then stop 1/4" but in my case since I'm using a 3/8" seam allowance I stop 3/8" from the corner before I fold for my miter. Perfect mitered corners every time.

Just want to mention that ironing the binding away from the quilt is done *before* folding. The edge still has a soft fold. Ironing the seam and binding away from the quilt before folding is an extra step that helps make folding easier, plus helps to keep the binding even on both sides.

Edit: I should add that I also found that *not* ironing binding in half before sewing it on works much better than ironing the binding in half before applying. Not ironing results in the inner layer of binding to be less and the outer layer of binding to be more. After sewing the binding to the quilt body, I simply iron the seam where the binding is attached to the quilt, again *not* ironing the area where the binding will fold over the edge.

2 1/2" here. I find this measurement the easiest to apply and it provides a nice finish.

My cousin, who has taught quilting for years, prefers to cut her binding 2 1/2", then iron it in half, then sew it on with a 1/4" seam. Normal, for me, up until now. She then double folds the binding, with what would be the outside edge, nestled next to the seam she just sewed on, irons the binding again and then hand sews this much smaller binding, making sure her stitches cover the seam on the back. The binding is super full, very narrow, and she has gotten rave reviews for it when her quilts were being judged. For me...it's too much trouble making sure I am rolling everything under just right to get that small of a binding. FYI.. She likes the 4 layers of fabric on the outside edge, says it will never wear through all 4 of those, and all her quilts are used & washed a lot. She likes Warm & natural or White in her quilts. She hand quilts all her quilts.

Edit: I got to thinking about it and she may cut hers 3". I am going to have to check with her and find out. I decided after my first binding cut at 2 1/2", that her method was over the top for being too hard to make it come out right for a beginner and have never tried it.

I have used 2" and it worked just fine. In fact, I even went less than 2" when the shortage of fabric was a factor…it was tough on the fingers when turning to the back and sewing but in the end, it worked okay also. Depends on what you want to do and what works for you.

I usually cut 2 1/8 and get a narrow crisp looking finish, but I have also used 2" strips with great results.

I've always used 2" binding. Love the narrow binding. It doesn't stand out too much. Tried a 2.5" and it just looks too wide and my eye was drawn to the binding first, not the quilt. I say give it a try. If you don't care for it, you know to make it wider on the next quilt. I seriously doubt you'll be disappointed, though.

With my 20 year quilts, the outer edge of the binding is where the wear marks are. 20 years ago I loved tight binding. Now I make my binding a tad looser so that it has wiggle room, thus gets less stress. A 2" binding will be tight, I think. I personally would go with no less than 2.5".

Good thinking!

I used to use 2.5 but found it left some empty space inside as I stitch with a 1/4" seam. I use 80/20 for batting so my quilts are not super thick. I changed to 2.25 folding the fabric in half for a double thickness and it still leaves a little space inside so may knock it down to 2.0 next time but will make that decision once I wash it as it may shrink just enough.

Of course as others will state, it also depends on how thick your quilt sandwich is as to whether you would use a larger binding or not. So far I haven't had to.

I was taught, thirty years ago, to use a 2 inch binding. I sometimes use wider. A wider binding gives the look of an added border on quilt. A narrower binding is very helpful if you are entering your quilt in any kind of competition. Judges look for quilts with a solid-feeling binding. If my quilt has a very light batting, I sometimes use strings of batting to 'stuff' the binding to make it firm.

Think it depends on how heavy/thick your quilt is, so as to be able to wrap a narrow binding around it and make it pretty easy for you to sew down. Not thick or heavy, I wouldn't hesitate to use a 2 inch binding, and are you saying it will be 1 inch after folding? So you are down to 1/2 inch on top and back side, and that doesn't include taking away 1/4 inch on each side for seam allowance. Try on a sample, is the best advice, I would say.