question about binding
 

I have tried several times to figure out how to make my binding end up wider on my quilts. I have cut it wider and I have sewn a wider seam than 1\4 inch. I have even sewn it to the back and brought it to the front. I do not like sewing my binding totally by machine so the fold to front method is not for me. Can anyone help me with this matter? Thanks a bunch ahead of time.

How wide do you want it? One of the store owners here cuts hers at 3 inches and uses a half inch seam allowance to sew it on.

the thing to remember if you are sewing your binding on with more than 1/4" seam allowance is that you might be cutting off part of your block if you did not allow extra fabric on the outside edges.

OK, now don't laugh, but I wanted a wide binding on a quilt, like about an inch. I was using w& N and the thin batting seemed to roll giving me a binding that was not filled in places. I fussed around a while trying different methods and finally realized what I wanted was a wider band of binding color around the edge, so I added a final 1" border the same color as the binding.

I did that also! The "finished" quilt wasn't quite wide enough for my taste when on the bed.
Whatever works! It looks fine.

Paper- not laughing! Great idea

Some basic info missing....
Using walking foot?
What size now cutting binding.
What size you want the binding.
Is top pieced .
Do you have borders.
Do u only have 1/4 inch on edge..

This and other details are necessary to give informed suggestions.

Trim your batting/backing the distance from the seam you have sewn your binding to the width that you want your finished front/back edge of the binding to be.

On my last quilt I made a flange before sewing on the binding. I really like how it turned out. Mine was a different fabric than the binding, but it could be the same and then the binding would look wider.

If you leave some extra batting/backing beyond the edge of the quilt, you can still do your seam 1/4 from the edge so you don't lose the design. You would just have to experiment with different widths of binding and extra batting to find the look you want. For example, if you cut your strip 3" and fold in half, use 1/4 seam, you will end up with 5/8" binding, so you could cut the batting larger to accommodate it. Practice with scraps and write down as you go to keep track of what works.

I like to have about 1/2" binding on my bed quilts. I cut the binding at 2.5", trim the batting a scant 1/4" beyond the edge of the quilt top, sew the binding on so that its edge matches the edge of the quilt top (not the edge of the batting) with a 1/4" seam. That leaves 1" of binding to be flipped over the batting and brought around to the back. Since the batting is just under 1/4", it is just the right amount to just cover the seam I made when sewing the binding on. I am very frustrated with binding tutorials that never seem to mention that you need to trim the batting at a different distance if you want a wider binding without cutting off points. It's something that is almost always left out.

one thing you can do is trim past your top edge of the quilt. that will give you more "fill" in your binding and there for wider to the eye. What DUNSTER said!

To answer Holice's questions. Yes I will be using a walking foot. I have not decided on the size of binding yet. I am waiting until all ideas have been given. I normally cut my binding 2.5 inches. I would like the binding on the front to be at least an inch wide. Yes, I have borders. Yes, I have plenty of room on the edge. The outer border is 3.5 inches finished. I hope these answers help with suggestions that I need.

good point to remember

Isn't it nice to be able to get on line and have so many people with quilting experience come to our rescue. I would have never finished my first quilt without them. Thanks everyone!

...or you might be cutting off part of your border quilting design. Ask me how I know!!

I would take a piece of your batting (since some are thicker than others requiring more room) and take some muslin or other scraps you have and make a sample. I would stitch on the front first and wrap to the back and hand stitch it. The seam on the front needs to be an inch to 1 1/8 " from the edge to get the 1" wide binding on the front. Of course start with a wide piece of muslin. Hope this is helpful.

Thanks, Maureen. You have hit the nail on the head. I have not been taking up enough seam allowance. Now what size should I cut my binding?