Sorry for the yelling, but I am just sooo discouraged!! I have watched a blue million videos, but still manage to screw things up. How do you figure what your seam allowance should be for binding? I didn't realize you had to do this, as I thought everything was 1/4"...not that my 1/4" is great.

What size of strip do you use when making binding? What allowance do you use when machine sewing? GAHHHHHHH!!!! I feel like Charlie Brown when he lands on his back from missing the football kick! :-/

I use 2 1/2" strips and I use a "just over" 1/4" seam allowance, close to the 3/8"

I always do double binding....cut strip 2 1/2", fold in half, then stitch to front of quilt with 1/4" seam. Flip to back of quilt and hand stitch!!! Works for me!!

Seam allowance for applying binding is 1/4". The size of the finished amount of your binding should be the perimeter of your quilt and I add 12", this allows for mitering the corners and overlapping the ends. The total length of the binding is many strips of (for me ) 2 1/2" fabric sewn together . Does this help you? Maybe I did not understand your questions.

I cut my strips 2 1/4" and fold it in half. I sew it on larger than 1/4" seam allowance. Usually mine pulls further to the back than there is on the front - no matter what I do. So I accept it, sew it down and move on. Sometimes finished is way better than perfect.

I have made at least 100 quilts and can say I dont mind binding but that hasnt always been the case. Recently I came across Sharon Schambers glue method for binding. It is so precise and the results are perfect. You can find the videos (3 parts) on youtube.com then search for Sharon Schamber binding. Go slow and you will be happy with the results. It is a little more time consuming the first couple of times. I use 2.25" strips but you may be more comfortable with 2.5". A lot also depends on how thick your batting is. I always use a thin batting.

OK. Go to www.quilterstv.com and under Quilters Cafe see if you can find the video on binding that I did.
But to answer your question. When you are doing patchwor and the blocks come out to the edge of the qult you normally have only 1/4 inch seam allowance for your binding. If you have a border then you have have a 1/4" or larger. I do borders so my allowance is 3/8"
Generally, for a 3/8" seam allowance I cut the binding 2.1/4" and double it. For a 1/4" seam allowance, about 2" is sufficient. As a general guide your cut binding for a double fold binding is 6 times the width of your seam allowance. But you have to adjust to make sure this is ok as sometimes it is too wide for me.
Look for the QuiltersTV show I did on bindings. I believe you will find it helpful. Having sai all this, you will find each quilt has his or her favorite method of binding so don't be confused because they all work. f course, my instructions are the best....lol.

The quilt police will arrest me for typing this but......it is my quilt and I'll do it my way. I cut my binding 2¼ inches
sew it on the front side of quilt ¼ inch seam allowance doing both right and left sides. I turn them to the back and hand stitch them down. I then do the same for the top and bottom. I do not miter the corners. I fold the raw edges in and hand stitch on the back side again. Find a way that works for you.:)

i found and esay way to do them...let me see if I can find the video

Sorry you are having trouble. I have always used 2-1/4" strip, fold in half (length wise), my seam allowance is 1/4". Are you near a LQS, where someone there might be able to help or perhaps take a class? Hope you find someone to help you.

This worked for me !

I also use a 2 1/2 inch strip. I Iron it in half, wrong sides together. I make a test before I start for real. I sew the binding with a 1/4 in. seam for about 2 inches onto the front of the quilt. Remove from the machine and turn the binding to the back to see if the folded edge falls where you want it to. (just covering your first stitch) Adjust your seam allowance to compensate for the batting you are using etc. Once I am satisfied I sew all 4 sides with my desired seam allowance and hand stitch to the back. The type and thickness of batting can make a difference in your finished edge. I hope this helps it is probably clear as mud LOL). Toots

I use 2" strips and 1/4" seams. I make sure the edges are trimmed up straight. I sew both sides first. I sew binding to the back first, then press out flat with iron, then fold and press raw edge just to the edge of quilt. Then Fold over to the front, just covering the stitches from the back. Works for me. Until I started using a walking foot, my binding were always rippled, now they are smooth and flat.

Do you live near anyone who can help you? Otherwise, several good tutorials were listed in the messages. I love to do binding and wish I could help you in person. I think the reason I enjoy doing the binding is because then I know the quilt is almost finished and it's time to start another project. And please don't worry about it being perfect. After nine years of quilting mine aren't perfect, but they are much better than when I first started. Please ask questions if you need more help.

Don't be discouraged. Binding is so hard at first, but you're going to laugh at how easy it is once you master it.

I use a variety of techniques I picked up through tutorials and books. Some of those tutorials went way over my head. Here are some links that helped me and my hard head:

http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/pho...ing/index.html

http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2...-tutorial.html

http://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/.../binding-tips/

I cut most of my binding 2.25" and use a 1/4" seam allowance. I always use my walking foot to attach the binding. It makes everything feed evenly. To get those mitered corners, stop 1/4" from the edge and pivot your quilt. You don't have to snip the threads or anything. Just fold back the binding lining up all edges and continue sewing. Joining the ends diagonally was something I didn't master until recently. It makes hand sewing the binding to the backing much easier. No lumps!

Good luck, I know you can do it!

I do it like Madquilter and Holice. All the ways listed will work. Don't be intimidated by binding. It is really quite easy. Just like everything else--practice practice practice. Good luck
Sue

Don't get discouraged. If you are near a LQS stop in and ask someone to help you. If you aren't near a shop try to find somebody in your town that could help. I understand middle of nowhere on a hilltop, but hopefully you can find someone to help. Sometimes it is easier to learn something by having someone show you. Hang in there!

Thank you for your response and I will take any help I can get! lol What I am asking, is how do you decide how wide to make your binding strips? And, how can the seam allowance be 1/4", no matter how wide the strip is? Wouldn't this leave you with a baggy binding, or is it not supposed to fit snuggly against the edge of the quilt? They don't seem to really cover that in any of the videos. I also just majorly flubbed where you join the 2 strips....that was an epic fail.

If there is anyone in the Lexington, KY area who would be willing to teach me this and possibly FMQ, I would happily pay a qualified person :)

I always use a 2 1/2" strip, too. I don't try to miter any seams, but I do miter the corners. Luckily for me a good friend showed me how to do it and sewed me up a sample that I always have close by to dissect if I forget how to do the corners.

DITTO! That is what I don't get! I only use Warm & Natural from Joann's, so however thick you would call that! Anyway, I always have too much wrapped around and don't know what to do with it!

I have to go outside for a bit, but will be back to respond to many suggestions...keep them coming guys & gals! Yeehaw! lol

You'll have to experiment with binding widths. Do a practice sandwich. The type of batting makes a big difference. The fluffy stuff is going to need more width.And whether you trim the quilt before or after applying the binding will also be a factor. Floppy bindings aren't cool. Once you figure out what works, it will become second nature.

I have done each quilt different...I have watched many videos - One thing I do know is once you wash/dry and then look at your finish quilt it looks great..and...also noone looks closely at the binding...you may think its horrible but others love it.

Someone posted this link to a binding chart, not sure if this is what you are asking. The seam allowance would be your finished width you want your binding. So if you want a 1" finished binding, see the chart to cut your strips the right width and sew on the front with a 1" seam allowance...not sure if I have helped...

http://quiltbug.com/Articles/binding-calculator.htm

this would be the one...sorry

http://quiltersden.ca/wp-content/upl...t-Binding2.pdf

Besides piecing, binding is my favorite part of making a quilt. I use the 2 1/2" strips, folded in half, sew on the front with a 1/4" seam and take it to the back and hand sew it on. Great for doing while watching (...er, listening) to TV.

Don't feel bad. I also had trouble trying to figure out binding. I ended up taking a quilting class to learn how. Now it's one of my favorite part of the process because I know it's the end.

I also keep a binding chart and instructions posted to the wall in my sewing room and refer to it each time it's time to make my binding.

It's definitely not easy for everyone.

Here's some quilting heresy....hurry, call the police!!!! I cut 1 1/2 or 2" binding, sew to the front right sides together then use invisible thread in the bobbin when I roll and tuck under so that when the seam is not perfectly in the ditch on the front side of the quilt, I don't loose my mind. So I am closing off the binding by sewing the 2nd time on the back of the quilt using a walking foot all the time. Hand sewing works fabulously too. After many quilts, binding looks pretty good....practice makes nearly perfect! Don't get discouraged!

Okay, I do basically what everyone else does...however, I use a 3" strip, fold in half, press and depending on my mood I sew the raw edge side to either the front or the back using closer to 3/8" seam. I do miter my corners and usually hand stitch the other side down. I have been known to use a decorate machine stitch instead of hand sewing, especially since I have had problems with my right hand.

Would love to see a pic of your way :)

this is what I learned in the binding class I took years ago... one of the best 3 hours I ever spent!! We learned how to stitch the ends to make it fit perfectly and even this beginner quilter can make the binding work every time!!

My advice would be to find someone to "tutor" you or find a class?
My problem is I know how to do the binding, but I don't know if I could explain that fitting part very well...

Hang in there!!

Exactly! Thanks for the link, it's awesome!

Exactly the way I do it, for over 40 years, never a problem.

http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/3902
now this video starts about two color binding, just watch past that and see how she does each side of her quilt with individual binding. easy way if miters are a problem.
2 1/2 or 2 1/4 strips of binding would work fine.

The glue method is great. Today I also tried it for holding down needle turn applique pieces and it worked very well.

Thanks for all of the suggestions and as I see it, everyone uses a rainbow of widths! I get the part about the batting thickness and all, but if most are using warm/ natural type, why the difference in widths? This is where I wouldn't know how to figure out my seam allowance.

As far as joining the 2 end pieces...I was following Sharon Schamber's video, but I screw up. I had plenty of binding, but I guess I didn't leave an "open" enough space left unsewn?? I don't know really. Anyway, the binding that I took off looks like crap with all of the dried glue all over it! lol It also didn't stick well for me, so I guess I am lucky for that. Since the small wall hanging that I was trying to bind had an appliqued rag flag on it, I just decided to clip the edges and let it be my border. I hate only being able to make raggy stuff!

Oh, how I long to know how to hand stitch anything down!! I have tons of books and tried to watch videos, but either I can't get the image right in my head, or I can't see "exactly" where they are putting the tip pf the needle, etc. When I have tried with some little things, the stitching is awful, and some you can see and some you can't. Another epic fail.

I didn't see anyone mention this but you might also try self-binding. I'm pretty new at quilting and my bindings are far from perfect - but I keep working on it. Last week, I tried self-binding a quilt. It isn't as durable but it also wasn't as hard. Here is a link to a tutorial and I'm sure you can find others. One thing, this one talks about hand sewing, but once you get to that step, you could also just machine stitch on the front - either with matching thread on a mono-filament.
http://carinascraftblog.wardi.dk/201...ing-quilt.html

I love to sit and sew the binding on....I also cut 2 1/2 " strips, fold in half length wise, sew to front with 1/4 " seam allowance, then hand stitch to the back side.

I have made my strips smaller, but I like the 2 1/2" size.

Holice, love your heart!
That is an awesome site and I had no clue anything like that existed! It is still loading, so I figured I would take a sec to respond to your post. That is what I needed to know, what width to use. I always have too much! Oh! And we won't even discuss blanket stitching or the like...it never works out for me and boy they are hard to rip out!

That is how I do it too.

When I am binding a quilt.....I cut 3" strips enough to go around the quilt. Fold the 3" strip in 1/2 and sew the raw edges together..this is a 1/4" seam......I leave the last 4"open for joining. Take the now 1 1/2" strip the open end.......I lay it on the front of the quilt at the outer edge. I have the 1/4" seam to follow as I stitch. I pin to the 1st corner because I am going to stop there. As I get to the corner....I have made sure there is no extra slack in the binding......I sew to the 1/4 away from the corner. I use the back stitch 3 stitches. I pin at the 1/4" so I know where to stop. My pin follows the angle I want to maintain like I want the miter to go. I fold the fabric of the binding back over its self....FORM an L...BE SURE the corner is square with the edge of the corner of the quilt. This is where the problem gets us. The binding needs to be square with the corner of the quilt. The long side of the L is where you were previously sewing. The short side of the L is the binding folded back to the right. Then I mark with a straight pin where I want to start sewing on the corner.... This is also pinning just like I want the angle to be, leaving the 1/4 " open. I stitch 3 stitches and back stitch 2 stitches. Make something small to practice on Go slow, IT is only fabric...not arms and legs.....You can do it. It is up to you 2 1/4" or 3". This is how I was taught. Maintain that pretty L in the binding and you should have no problem. I had a great teacher and I do good work so please.....NO QUILT POLICE

When I am binding a quilt.....I cut 3" strips enough to go around the quilt. Fold the 3" strip in 1/2 and sew the raw edges together..this is a 1/4" seam......I leave the last 4"open for joining. Take the now 1 1/2" strip the open end.......I lay it on the front of the quilt at the outer edge. I have the 1/4" seam to follow as I stitch. I pin to the 1st corner because I am going to stop there. As I get to the corner....I have made sure there is no extra slack in the binding......I sew to the 1/4 away from the corner. I use the back stitch 3 stitches. I pin at the 1/4" so I know where to stop. My pin follows the angle I want to maintain like I want the miter to go. I fold the fabric of the binding back over its self....FORM an L...BE SURE the corner is square with the edge of the corner of the quilt. This is where the problem gets us. The binding needs to be square with the corner of the quilt. The long side of the L is where you were previously sewing. The short side of the L is the binding folded back to the right. Then I mark with a straight pin where I want to start sewing on the corner.... This is also pinning just like I want the angle to be, leaving the 1/4 " open. I stitch 3 stitches and back stitch 2 stitches. Make something small to practice on Go slow, IT is only fabric...not arms and legs.....You can do it. It is up to you 2 1/4" or 3". This is how I was taught. Maintain that pretty L in the binding and you should have no problem. I had a great teacher and I do good work so please.....NO QUILT POLICE