The binding tool
 

I was finishing a 84 inch long table topper. I used the binding tool to finish the end. I admit I was afraid to cut the ends. I got the courage and cut each ends and sewed the ends with the 1/4 inch seam. It fit perfect. I will always use this tool to finish my binding. I got the tool from MSQC.

Good to know..I'll have to check that out. The ends are always a bugger for me.

Glad it seems to work so well......I've just bought one and have 2 quilts to bind and am summoning up the courage to use it!!

This MSQC has videos using this tool. The video are The Binding Tool Star Quilt and Scrap Buster Tabletop. It's nice when you can use a tool for more than one thing. I brought the tool when I saw the video for the table topper. It really finished the binding nice.

That's what I always use too. Works every time!

I love my binding tool too! I also was afraid to cut the ends at first.

I've been using the binding tool for a couple of years. I wouldn't want to be without it. Well worth the $.

I need to find mine. I have several quilts that need bindings. I used it for a baby quilt and thought how great it was to not have to guess or do much figuring.

I bought mine at a quilt show a few years ago. Love, Love, Love it! I agree that it's scary to cut the ends the first time. But it does truly come out perfect every time. I won't bind without it either.

I bought the tool about 4 years ago because I struggled with finishing up my bindings. I love it and have given up on all the other methods that have been recommended to me. I use it on every quilt now. I do have to day that you use the method that works for YOU and this tool works for ME. The tool is also good for other blocks that require that same angle. For me, it was worth its cost. I fell I have broken even and more on the cost of tool.

Ok, what is a MSQC tool and where do I find it. If I do it right the first time, the times later are messed up. So am very interested in finding this tool.

MSQC is Missouri Star Quilt Company. You can buy the Binding Tool on their website.

You can do this without any tool. Fold the beginning end of the binding down to form a triangle with all raw edges at the quilt edge. Press very well. Fold binding in half as usual. Leave a 6 to 8 inch tail at the start and sew on the binding. When you have 12 to 16 inches left to sew, take the quilt out of the machine. Overlap the two ends of the binding and cut the end off at the base of the triangle. They will overlap just as much as the binding is wide. Then you can lift both ends, put them right sides together, and sew them as you sewed every other seam in the binding. The pressed line is your sewing line.

This method will work no matter how wide your binding is. The triangle is always the correct measurement.

I have the fons and porter and love it, but I'd really like to get my hands on the Westalee one

Where do I fine the binding tool.

Glad to know that it works as advertised. Guess that will go on my wish list.

I do it the old fashion way but I baste it first to check if everything is correct, then restitch and then cut.

Never knew they had such a thing, there are tutorials on You tube for the "old fashion way" that work just fine and don't cost a thing like ManiacQuilter2 said.

Found this tool at Green Fairy Quilts. They are having a 40% off sale on notions plus free shipping in the US. The binding tool there is $6.60. :thumbup:

I bought the tool a few years ago because I struggled with not having a "bump"--but could never figure out how to use it correctly despite the MSQG video. But I did get great directions in the little booklet that came with a Fons & Porter subscription--which I now use but without all the marking they show.
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Basically,with about a 10" tail overlapping both ends I fold back the ends so there is a 1/4" gap between them(I use a scant 1/4" if it's bias binding as there's a little more stretch) and press. Then I open up those ends and with right sides together, pin so that the pressed line match up to allow me to sew them together just like when you join to 2.5" strips on with a bias seam(you have to "bunch" the quilt a bit to get the binding to meet appropriately). Before I cut the tails I always fold it to make sure I didn't get a twist in it So far this method has always worked for smooth binding.

The binding tool I have used successfully to make a "braided" tabletopper!

I love this tool....have made 1 lap quilt (per MSQS tute) and working on a full size one now.

I bought one 2 years ago and was confused when trying to use it. Haven't tried again especially where I saw other's where having problems with it and MSQC was trying to explain it. Guess I will have to dig it out again.

Thanks for telling us about the binding tool. I've looked at the video and I think I could get a lot of use out of this tool. Just ordered from MSQC. I'm going to write my instructions out and keep them with my tool so they will be handy when I need it.

I see where several has asked where to find this binding tool....you can find them in quilting stores as well as ordering on Missouri Quilting, where you will have to pay $5 for shipping so I suggest you look in your quilting stores first. The orange peel templates is also in quilting stores.

Just used it for the first time........wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!!

It is interesting to know that it works perfectly every time. I use the triangle method mentioned above and it works perfectly 'most' of the time... sometimes I have to rip LOL

I always use bias cut binding on my quilts because they wear better and fit better. I leave a tail at the beginning that is about four inches of unsewn space. When I come back around the quilt I cut the binding-again on the angle direction to match the first tail. Slip the second tail into the first and mark with a pencil or other marking tool. Cut the second tail 1/2 inch from the marking line. Stitch together with a 1/4 inch seam and it fits perfectly. Finger press that seam open. Finish stitching the binding on.

I really like this tool as well. They sold it with a cut on a bias tool at a show I went too and I like that a lot as well.