How narrow can you make the binding?
 

I have a baby quilt top that is 52 X 38. I want to make the backing and binding with the same fabric and I'm a little short. My backing fabric is 66 X 42 after removing the selvage. I figure 200 inches of binding, which will require 5 strips of fabric. If I cut 2.25" wide, I'll need 11.25 inches of fabric.

I generally leave at least 2" extra on all sides on the backing, but if I do, I'll only have 10" WOF of fabric left for the binding. (I'm going to quilt it myself.) I'm going to use Warm and Natural batting.

Can I get by with 2" for the binding? Should I just not leave as much extra on the on the backing? It's so perfect for the binding, or I would just use something else. It's an old Debbie Mumm fabric, so it's not available anymore.

bkay

I have made binding with just under 2" when I had to. Just don't stitch the binding on with too wide a seam. You could also consider a flanged binding - I've done this too.https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutori...ge-t77821.html. I have also had to scrape by with not so much backing. For me, it has all worked out, some how or other! Let us know what you decide and how it turns out.

With W&N, you can do 2". Or you can do a a flanged, or simply a two sided binding or consider piecing out some strips that are hidden in that double fold... Yeah, it's annoying but sometimes a 1" solid in a similar color that is pieced into the binding and hidden in the fold can be a life saver :) there are ways I know this!

Otherwise, do you have other fabrics you can piece into the binding? Say have 10" of your fabric, then (2) 2" strips of coordinating fabric, it doesn't seem like it adds that much length but it does, sometimes I do stuff like that just to connect the front of the quilt to the back.

Many ways to stretch just a bit more out of a piece!

You could also double fold the backing fabric to make a self binding.

I usually cut my double folded binding at 2 1/8, and sew with a quarter inch seam. It's narrow and full.

This may sound counter-intuitive at first, but if you leave 3 inches extra on the backing, then when you are done quilting, you will likely be able to get some strips wide enough to cut off and use as binding strips. so, instead of leaving 2 inches extra wide on the backing and then throwing out the 1.5 inches (or whatever) of scraps that are leftover, you could use that "waste" to your advantage. you would have fewer binding strips able to be cut and prepped ahead of time, but in the end, I think you would come out with enough....

Almost the same day when I was concerned about the amount of fabric I had left for the binding, I read this post by Tartan: https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutori...t-t303704.html . It worked out perfectly.

Yes indeed. That is the flange binding. They are pretty much the same. Works very nicely

Wow, thanks. That is perfect. I considered the flange binding, but didn't have the right color that would blend with both the top and binding. By hiding it inside, the color can be just "somewhere in the ballpark".

bkay

I agree with the consensus here that you can do a 2" strip for your boarder. Sewing only one side of the fabric to the front folding it over and sewing it down by hand to the back with a single fold under. It is doable.

There are more ways to maximize the fabric you have available for binding. One is Tartan's way. You can put that on upside up or upside down. If it is upside down, the "scrap" will be mostly showing and the "good" fabric will be a flange. So you would make the scrap side in fabric that you want to show.

More savers: Don't cut off your selvages. They will be mostly cut off as you make your seam on the diagonal. The tiny bit still on there is then in the seam allowance. I usually cut off the very ends that are very thick. Less than 1/8 of an inch.

Don't make 45º seams when joining strips. I lay my strip on the line on the mat with the end of the strip on a line and the strip edge on a line. Lay the another strip overlapping this just one inch. Use a ruler to cut across on the angle from the end of one strip to the end of the other one. The lines on the mat will show you where that is. Lift ends of strips right sites together and make the seam. The resulting slant is not 45º, but it's enough to keep bulk from the seam from piling up in one place.

I hope you can understand this. I do this even if there is plenty of fabric. I like to use leftovers in my scrap quilts.

Because it is a smaller top, the quilting should not need that much extra backing - just try to be careful with your quilting. If you only leave 1" on each side, that should free up enough for your binding. Another option is to do a self-binding. I often do this on a baby quilt because then I never have to worry about the baby chewing off the binding! Then just leave 2 1/2" on all sides, after quilting, trim to 1", fold over cut edge, fold over to front and topstitch. This gives you a 1/2" binding that will not come off. Because it is stitched thru, it gives the back a nice 'framed' edge.

Sorry - haven't read all of the posts thoroughly. I measure my quilt top - not the excess batting/backing to determine my binding requirements. I cut at 2.25" and if my measurements come up with x strips (wof) plus y number of inches, just cut an extra strip (WOF) and have not had issues. Good luck.

This method would require no binding. https://www.redpepperquilts.com/2011...-tutorial.html

Once when I had this problem I solved it by not cutting the binding until after quilting. I laid out the quilt as close to edge of the backing as I was comfortable, so that the excess was all on one end. After quilting I trimmed off the excess, and since that 2 inches of extra was still attached I was able to get that extra binding strip out of it.

I agree with the folks who talk about using the scraps from trimming the backing after you have quilted it. I often take the part I trim off and turn it into the binding. actually I like using it because most of the time, I don't have to join as many cross cut strips as the backing is longer ...when I long arm. I will leave the shelvage on the backings where they get pinned to my leaders...then I start quilting as clos to the leaders as I can get. So often I have quite a bit of fabric left that I can get a couple of strips of binding from.

Never thought of doing that before. I can see where it could save my bacon one of these days. I usually cut my binding 2" wide. I like it on the skinny side, but I'm also guilty of not planning ahead and sometimes run short.

Not sure how much other fabric you have left over from the top but you can do pieced binding. Like this one.
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Are you a glutton for punishment? There's no way I'd want to struggle with 2" for a binding. A baby quilt will be washed a lot, so it's important to have a generous seam allowance along the edge. I would probably buy some compatible fabric. As long as you get the color right, a small print or solid should work just fine. A stripe that echoes the colors in the quilt might be a cute option.

AZ Jane, I have to say I love, love, love that quilt. The pattern has been on my bucket list forever, and you bee is just wonderful!

I sew bindings on professionally. 2" is the narrowest I've done, and it was a little challenging. I sewed the binding on by machine, then turned to the back to sew by hand as usual. Found myself putting the needle in right at the stitching line I'd just made to sew the binding on the front. It was a pain. If you do use a 2" binding, I suggest using a slightly smaller seam allowance when you stitch the binding on the front. As others have suggested, a flange binding would be easier and very attractive.

Peckish brings up some good points -- the seam allowance is an issue. My solution would be to sew on at the standard 1/4", and then go around and make sure that there is no slippage and it is on well, and then I would trim it just a scant bit or maybe use pinking shears would be good, and yes, you'd be pretty much on line or a thread or two over.

Depending on the quilt, I might make sure it is full and round more like cording instead of flat.

But like I said before, I've had to hide a 1" strip of fabric inside a binding before and made up for other short comings many times. It will be ok in the end! But please let us know your decision :)

Many times, I trim the edge of the quilt after the binding has been sewn on. I sew the binding with the 1/4 inch seam to the top of the quilt. Then I trim from the seam line. Calculate how much you need to trim to keep your binding full. 3/16ths is a good choice for me. Then the binding always turns to the other side the same distance all around.