I'm in danger of finishing a quilt - this hasn't happened for a long time :) But I see my least favourite task rapidly approaching: the binding. I usually do double binding, stitched to the right side and finished on the back.
Two problems that always stress me:first, how wide a strip to cut? This quilt is 60in square. Then, worst moment of all, finishing it off. I see those two ends getting closer and closer to each other and the panic rises. I always end up bodging them together, having got in a terrible tangle over which sides go together, 45 degree angles etc etc. Can anyone describe to me how to do it, or recommend a good and vey clear tutorial?

I found this tutorial about a year ago and it really helped me. http://www.moosequilts.com/BindingTutorialWeb.pdf

Before that, I was just making a mess of my binding. I did do a couple of practice runs on scraps before I tried it on an actual quilt and I did get it twisted a couple of times like she said can happen.

I also do double binding and I cut my strips at 2 1/2 inches.

There is a tute on yu tube- it really helped me! Made it a lot easier!

I have a few Tutotial listing that help me...I watch them all every time i am about to bind...I hate binding but its beginning to get easier. http://www.thriftyideastoday.com/201...ng-sashes.html

I use the Fons and Porter binding tool and it helps me to get a good joint. The tutes are very good, too. In use 2 1/2 inch binding on all of my projects except table runners and then sometimes I'll go down to 2 1/4. Don't let this final step stop you from completing your beautiful quilt. Every time I do one, I get more confidence and it seems to look better. Think positive in that this is the final step and soon your work will be completed and ready to use.

I am still learning this too, it gets easier with practice.

I want to try that binding tool.Connie in CO

I put the binding on a new quilt last night - using the tutorial I mentioned earlier. The binding is perfectly matched and my mitered corners look really good.

My problem now is the final stitching. I sew the binding to the back and then turn it over and sew the front side. I can't seem to avoid having the stitching show through on the back. On this quilt, the binding is red and the back is blue. If I used blue thread in the bobbin there would be blue in some spots on the binding. I used red so now I have a lot of red stitching showing on the backing. It's a dilemma that I haven't overcome yet.

A friend recommended that I use monofilament but I am making charity quilts for Quilts for Kids and they don't want you to use that - and they don't want anything hand-stitched.

Does anyone have this binding tool??? Is it worth it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAGrGz6ukn0

I watched the tutorial and I'm sure the tool is helpful - but it is really enabling you to do the exact same thing as this one:

http://www.moosequilts.com/BindingTutorialWeb.pdf

If you skip to Step 13 in that guide, you will see pretty much the same thing as the video. And it's free!

this one shows how to make a pocket first - then when you get to the end of the binding strip it slips right in - it works slick for me.
http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/2007/...-tutorial.html

Thank you for sharing this website!! Wow....there is lots of info on there.

I actually like binding a quilt :lol: ....it's putting the quilt sandwich together that I hate but after watching a video of Sharon Schamber's method (found it on the above mentioned website) I can't wait to give it a try!

Good luck on your binding and don't forget to post some pics when you are done.

Take a permanent blue marker and "dot" your red stitches on the back.
Gone! :wink:

Aren't you just clever!! I'll give it a shot.

I love this method http://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/.../binding-tips/ after trying many others this one really is easy and works! No tools required...

I knew I'd get some great replies! I posted the question, went off to spend an hour or so working on the quilt, and came back to all these helpful recommendations. I love this board!
I'm certainly going to persevere until the binding is done, because this is one of many ufos that have been around too long, and I'm determined that this is the year that I'm going to stop procrastinating about quilting and binding them, and get them done.

Perfect! That's the same method shown in the link I provided earlier, but the photos are much better and the explanation of how much of an overlap to do is clearer.

Since no one has posted it yet, I'm going to recommend (again) Sharon Schamber's binding youtube videos.

I used to do really good binding, I thought it was fine and I had the whole concept down.

But now, they are sooooooo much better. She covers everything from cutting the binding, to pressing, to sewing, to turning, to EVERYTHING!

Here's part one (of 3):
http://www.youtube.comwatch?v=4PE0Yq9iGlc

Watch. Learn. This is the kind of stuff that should be handed to someone the minute she says she wants to learn how to quilt.

Just genius.

Great video, but your link didn't work. You can search YouTube for Sharon Schamber binding and find it. I took the short URL - not sure if this one will work but try it.

http://youtu.be/W--xgi4nux8

What kind of glue is she using?

She uses Elmers glue. I have also done that method...it works well it does take a while...for me since I am not putting mine in a show I just machine quilt with out the glue..I have been doing different methods each time I do a quilt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PE0Yq9iGlc (corrected link)

... Just genius.[/quote]

Wow, MTS, this is great; I Just watched. Sharon Schambra is now my hero. She helped me (or rather her videos did) when I was working on my Lonestar Gone Wrong, and this binding tutorial is over the top excellent. My Quilting Bookmarks continue to grow. Thanks for sharing this. The bit about the mitred corners blew me away. I'd always struggled with those darn corners. She makes it very clear. Thanks again.

-- Jillaine

OR.... use a decorative stitch with verigated thread

There is an excellent binding tutorial here on the QB. Unfortunately, the search function isn't working. They did maintenance on the system yesterday...hopefully they will fix it. I think it was titled Perfect binding every time.

A thousand apologies for leaving a bad link. I usually check first but had to run. Strange how I lost a slash in the middle of the link.

Thanks to everyone for correcting it. :thumbup: :thumbup:

This thread really set me off today - looking at various binding tutorials, etc. The very BEST so far is Susan Schamber - 3 YouTube videos on binding. There are some real eye-openers in there, at least for me. Mind you, I haven't actually tried these methods yet, but I certainly will on my next binding project. Here's a link to the first video:

http://youtu.be/4PE0Yq9iGlc

If you search YouTube for Susan Schamber binding you will find all of them.

[quote=sparkys_mom]I must start to worry about my short-term memory! I *knew* someone mentioned Susan Schamber in this thread and couldn't find it - but you are so right -- this should be handed from the get-go to anyone who says they want to quilt.

Here's the one I like:

http://pir8.freeservers.com/quilting...ding/index.htm

I purposely let it show on both sides, using a serpentine stitch which makes it kind of fancy.

I use this method, too. It was the only one I found that made sense to me! I also like Shelley's instructions for making continuous bias binding...doesn't waste fabric since you start with a rectangle of fabric instead of a square and her instructions also made sense to me!

There is a wonderful tutorial right here on the board that GammaO did:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-58567-1.htm

You will be proud of yourself and your project if you tackle this. It really is my favorite part of a quilt. I find it relaxing and I hope you get to that point in your quilting with your confidence.
Good Luck I know you can do it.

I agree! And step 16 is important--don't trim your diagonal seam until you know it is not twisted. Ask me how I know that! I seem to twist it every time, but I am a pretty good quilt binder following these directions.

I agree, this is very good. And you can print it off and take it to your sewing machine if you need to. I have to review it when it's been a while between quilt bindings.

What a wonderful group - I cannot believe how much help and support one gets by just asking a question. thanks

I used to feel that way too, but the more I do it, the better I get. This one helped me so much. I still had to practice of course, but my last 3 quilts I have got the binding right on the first try! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7Trk6J2Vw

I have used the process described by Heather Bailey in her tutorial at the following link: heatherbaileydesign.com/HB_QuiltBinding.pdf and it has made the process so much easier. I've looked at other tutorials but this one made the most sense to me - sometimes I don't "get it" from some directions!

most fabric is at least 42 inches. I figure its 40. I measure the quilt down all sides and multiply it by 40and about 15 inches extra and I always have enough to go around. Hope this helps. The ending of it I do kan ankle 45 finish. To learn that it took Practice, practice, practice on that one!!! lol
Need to be sewing!!
simple quilter

if you cut a 2 1/2 inch strip, when you pull it to the back (or front) whichever you chose to do) you can 'stitch in the ditch' from the top and catch the binding in the back. So...no handsewing. I prefer to cut a strip 2 1/4 wide and do the handstitching...it makes for a very tight, nice-looking binding.

I watched a tut eon you tube. There are a couple of good ones. I have never had a problem with binding but man do I feel that my last one is a huge improvement in my last one. I recommend watching a couple of different ones and you will find one that will just start looking easier for you.

I do the 'double' bind - machine quilt to the front & blind hand stitch to the back. If I can find a good color match I use quilt binding (cotton blend type) that I buy in the store. It is usually cut on a bias, & makes a smoother edge (prevents puckering) I think.

Have a blessed day :-D