I am making a baby quilt for a friend. This is my first ever quilt project and so far it is going really well.

What I would like to know is when it comes to doing the binding – is there any reason why I can’t use satin ribbon as my binding material? All the online binding instructions say to cut your binding strips from your chosen fabric. I think satin ribbon would be lovely as the binding on a baby quilt, and the advantages I see are that when you buy it is already one long continuous length (no need for cutting and joining), and it is of consistent width (sometimes my cutting can not be so accurate).

Would appreciate advice from experienced quilters, as I am puzzled why using ribbon for binding is not mentioned on any ‘how to’ websites? Is there a disadvantage that I am missing? Thanks

You can buy prepackaged binding (satin) at Joann's store to put on a baby quilt. I have purchased it in the past and I assume they still have it. And yes it would be nice on a baby quilt. Marge

Satin would be pretty but I think cotton is more durable and practical on a quilt that would be washed and used a lot. After cotton binding is finished, you have 4 thicknesses of material that add extra strength to the edges of a quilt. The edges of a quilt will generally fray faster than any other part of a quilt. For me, cotton would be easier to work with than satin. Just my opinion, not saying you couldn't go for elegance if you wanted to use satin. :wink:

(Remember that I have beginner status) I think satin would be lovely and baby would really enjoy touching it, too.

Personally, I have horrible luck with satin binding. That's why I have only done one like this.

PrettyKitty...don't forget we LOVE pictures!!! :thumbup: Welcome from Central Illinois too!!

Prettykitty, first off...Welcome to the board!!, second...I love your avatar...very funny pic., 3rd...most important...do whatever you want with your quilt! There are no "quilt police". That being said however, you should decide if the quilt will be a "use everyday" type of quilt of a "drape over something to show it off and use it occasionally" type of quilt. I am not so sure the satin would hold up well to constant washing, but-- its your quilt..have it anyway you'd like!

I agree. It is your quilt and you do it the way you want too, but for what my two cents might be worth I too would think about how this quilt will be used. After (still) :wink: raising 3 of my own I can tell ya the blankies with satin wore out and the cotton are still kicking around here. LOL

Well, I think the general consensus seems to be that satin, although nice, would wear quicker. My question really was more to do with using ribbon, not really about the type of material it was made from. But going on the comments posted here, I have decided to not try and 'cheat', but to make my binding from cotton and join the strips as I have seen in all the 'how to' sites. If I do it as it is usually done, then I have a standard to work from in the future! Thanks to all for the useful advice! :D

I just made a baby quilt for a friend of my sister with satin ribbon. All I did was get a wide enough width that I could fold in half (I ironed it), with the finished edges you just sew around and voila, I've worked with the "satin binding" and it's way more money, Walmart $4+ for 4 3/4" yards = 14.25 feet vs the ribbon $2+ for 18 feet.

My mother had a baby quilt with satin ribbon binding that lasted through two of her children. When she had the third baby she choose to put new binding on to be blue for her son. That blanket was my mom's favorite for size, travel ect. so the first binding met a lot of hard wear.

Most people are not having lots of children and a baby blanket is used and then savored, wear doesn't become an issue.

On the other hand I know someone who made a queen sized quilt about 10 years ago and used cotton bias binding and now it inspite of perfect care it needs to have a new binding put on it. The binding takes the most wear and tear of any part of the quilt.

Personally I love a satin bound baby quilt, and all of the baby quilts I make for charity get a satin binding on them before they leave. If you're concerned about wear you could always use two layers of ribbon, it would cost more, but would last longer.