I am making a pineapple quilt the pattern calls for the binding to be Strairght-grain French-fold.I have no idea what that is.The quilt will be jagged edges. Your help will be very much appreciated.

I don't know, but I will interested to hear about this. Thanks for asking.

never heard of it, hope someone can help you

I just googled and found your answer

http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/083-uid.jsp

I know what straight grain is, but can't help you with the French fold. I am curious, too. Straight grain means not on the bias, cut straight up and down, not 45 degree angle.

After reading craftybear's google, I am still confused about French fold. Is it when the binding is folded in half stitched on one side to the quilt, then folded over and (hand stitched) to the back of the quilt? It's never been called that before. Hmmm. Learn something every day.

here is another link for you

http://www.sewaquilt.com/frenchfold-binding.html

and here is a tutorial for you

http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2009...g-the-binding/

It just means double. If you want the binding to be a half -inch on front, cut 2.5" wide strip, fold it in half, apply to the quilt with 1/4" seam, and turn. Hand stitch it on.

i guess i have been french folding binding all along and didn't know it, because this is how i was taught. :)

Whow That sure sounds easy. I tried to find it this morning for almost an hour and nothing ever came-up. I was on Ask.com and About.com should of tried here first.

Thanks so much. J.D.

Always try here first! We have a lot of very knowledgeable folks who are so willing to share. Even try the search here first. Lots of questions have been covered on here.

I think this is how most of us do it now! Never new it was called French fold.....

French Fold just means that you fold the strip in half - lengthwise before sewing it to the edge of your quilt. Cut strips the width of your fabric and mitre the ends to join them into one long, continuous strip of binding.

It's probably what you've been doing all along - just new terminology. This method provides a double layer of fabric on the edges of your quilt. The edges are usually the frist thing to wear out on a quilt, so this helps extend the wear.

My binding method with a new name.

Me too! I'll be garl darn!

I've been doing the French Fold binding for years and didn't know it was French. Silly me, I know to listen to the fabric but I guess I just didn't understand the language. I wonder why it's called French Fold instead of Boliva Binding, or Canadian Crease, or whatever? People all over the world probably bind this way....... hmmmmm........

Craftybear, You are the Queen of google!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Beautifully detailed sewing has been done in France for centuries and copied around the world. Many sewing terms reference this, as this French fold binding, French seams, French bustle. We call high fashion "haute couture" around the world, regardless of our native language. The French wrote the book on it.

Of course, wonderful sewing is done worldwide and now there are many cultures known for tailoring and sewing high fashion. Did you know that bias binding is also called a Hong Kong finish?

Rapture, you are sooo funny! :lol:

Another one of those moments when I have said to myself, although the term is not familiar, that is exactly what I have been doing! So does that make me smarter than I thought?? I will say yes.

I feel enlighten now. I never knew this was the name to the binding I've been doing all these years.

Yes, French fold binding is when it's folded in half lengthwise and stitched to one side. French fold binding can be either bias or straight grain. It's always been called that.

Gee, that is how I was taught to bind a quilt... it is very easy and goes quickly.

*teehee* It's not a new name, it's the original name! :lol:

I believe it's the method I use all the time. I cut a strip anywhere from 1.5" to 2.5' with grain, usually the width of the fabric. Fold in half and iron. Apply with the raw edges to the raw edge of the quilt. Wrap the binding around to the other side and machine sew or slip stitch. I does give a very stable edge.
The corners are not too tricky. Sew to within a .25" of the corner, lift the binding up at a 45 degree and fold it back down parallel with the next side. You have a triangle at the corner which will lie flat when its wrapped around to the otehr side.
I'm off to work right now otherwise I'd hunt down a video. There are many sites out there. I'll post one later if no one esle has.

I learned something new today .I have always done my binding that way just didn't know it had another name.

French fold is often called "double fold" as that's just what you do!

For me a straight fold French fold binding would be cut selvege to selvege wide enough to be folded in half and attached to the quilt. If you mean by jagged edges just angles it could be done as you do each corner on the quilt. Hope this answers your question. Maybe someone else has a different idea.

Wow! I always bind that way. Just didn't know that it had such a fancy name.

French fold binding - or double fold binding.

Quilt binding that is made from a strip of fabric that is folded in half lengthwise before it is sewn onto the quilt.
Hope this helps

Leave it to craftybear, she'll find it! I know who to ask when I run into a wall!

The folded binding is what I understand is French binding.

The only time I heard of it was when my aunt was making pillow cases and she said that she did a French seam. She explained it, but that was SOME time ago. Sorry

From this site.... http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/083-uid.jsp ...

"French fold binding is cut wider -- usually 2" to 2 1/2" is standard. Then fold the pieced strips in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press. Then it is stitched to the quilt -- matching raw edges of binding with the raw edge of the quilt. Use a quarter inch seam. After stitching, turn binding to the back of the quilt and hand stitch. The folded edge is already finished and ready to stitch to the back of the quilt with no additional turning.

Using French fold binding -- either straight or bias -- will assure that even if the edge of the binding is wearing the inner parts of the quilt won't show because there is a second layer of binding behind the top layer. You won't have to replace French fold binding as often as the edge of the batting won't show."

I usually use 2-1/4 in. strips; fold/iron in half lengthwise; and sew as the ol' waistband method in Jr. High. Home Ec. LOL a looooooonnnnnggggggg time ago! LOL

Check out Eleanor Burns quilt in a day web site. She has a video section and one of them covers French fold binding. The only tricky part of this is the corners but once you get the how to down is is easy peasy. She does not call it French fold binding however it is just the binding she uses on all her quilts. If you have a Quilt in a day book it is also always in the back under finishing your quilt. She has lots of other videos in her Media theater section and they are all very informative and free.

The straight of grain refers to cutting the binding strips parallel to selvage edge instead of across the grain. This is good if you have some stretchy bias edges as the straight of grain has virtually no stretch at all, also you can cut some pretty long strips if you have enough yardage.

It's not new terminology. My mom (the queen of bias binding) always used French folding and always called it that. (ah...many moons ago!! not saying how many, but it's more than 50!)

Oh, you are so smart. I've been french binding for all my life at least since I was about 10 years old. Just thought I was just folding the bias over and stitching it closed. Wow! what a revelation!

A french seam is different. I've heard it described as "first you sew it wrong then you sew it right!" But what you do is - sew the seam (like the one on the pillowcase) WRONG sides together about 1/4 ". Then turn it so the right sides are together and sew it again about 3/8" being sure to encase the first seam. It gives a seam a nice finish without having to zigzag or serge. Often used on heirloom clothing.

I love it--sounds so sophisticated! I just called it binding! LOL

I've been binding like this all the time, didn't know it was French. My sister-in-law has a theory that if you stick the "French" in anything; cooking, sewing, beading, etc. it automatically becomes richer. I'm partial to American myself.

I with you Aunt Ria....been doing this for years and had no idea what it was called....mmmmmm learn something every day.