Square corners
 

What method do you use to get square corners on your finished quilt? After it has been quilted and you are about to add the binding, what have you been doing? Do you mark or trim the top only? The top and batting? All of it? I have also heard to trim the batting 1/4" bigger than the top.

I lay out my quilted quilt and draw with Taylor’s chalk a straight line , squaring corners and straightening all 4 edges. Then I place my binding along the straight lines and stitch it on. Next I trim a 3/8” wide seam allowance and finish my binding. This process works for me. Many Quilters have tried many different suggested techniques- then use the one that works best for them.

I place the quilted quilt on the rotary mat and square it up with my large square up ruler. since I cut my binding at 2.25", I don't have a problem with having to leave extra batting to make the binding full.

this is just what I do.

I use the 20" square up ruler and another long ruler lined up together on the quilt edge. Square up the quilt edges and trim. The second ruler helps me make sure the sides will continue square.

Binding is cut at 2.5". I sew the binding on the back of quilt with a 3/8 seam.

Like ckowl, I found that 3/8" is the magic number for having binding equal on both sides.

I have also used 2.25 " binding like Quilt Nan.

All the methods work due to the math.

Make a sample and try the different widths of binding with different seam allowances. You will find your magic spot.

I also square up after it is quilted. My sunroom floor is ceramic tile and really works well. I work similar to Tartan but I prefer 2 1/2” binding sewn on the top by machine, pressed and hand sewn on the back. I hate to admit this but it is getting harder and harder to get up off the floor. Lol

I also use a large square on each corner to trim - after it is quilted.

I cut all three layers even -

I cut a 2-7/8 to 3 inch wide binding - that finishes to a scant 1/2 inch.

Like some others, I also line up the whole quilt so that all four corners have 90 degree angles.

Sometimes I mark - I usually don't.

I square my top before I quilt, once it is quilted I keep as is.

I have my backing and batting larger than my top, machine sew on my binding and using that seam as a reference trim the back and batt to 1/2". I cut my binding a bit wider at 3" and I like a full binding.

Almost all the time I use French fold continuous bias binding, sew on to the the front by machine, miter the corners, flip and hand stitch down the back.

I square mine after quilting - before binding.