ok, so i've gotten the border on the flip flop quilt and i'm ready to quilt it. i like it, but because i've added the bright pink border (before the border you all saw), i feel i need a wider binding to offset the inside border.

i've never really known how to make a 'wider' border (i'm used to cutting 2.5" and ending up with about 3/8"). i'm thinking i want at least 3/4" to 1" border.

so i cut it wider, do i make the seam wider and stop that same width distance when i do the corners? i tried that once and it didn't seem to work.

or would i be better off just adding a small pink border and putting the binding over that in the same fabric?

hope this makes sense. you all will probably be glad when i get this project finished!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ediumSmall.jpg

I have a quilt my dad's wife gave me that has a 1" binding, but it's the backing fabric folded around to the front. It does look like a thin border. It seems like you should be able to do it as an added on binding, too. You might try the mitred corners on a small piece and see how they work. That I'm not too sure about. The corners on my quilt aren't mitred.

depending on the thickness of my quilt, I would cut anywhere from a 2 1/2" to 2 3/4" binding strips

I would add a border and use the normal size binding that you always use. That's my 2 cents for what tis worth.

I agree with Vicki. Do the border and add a same fabric binding of your usual width. I recently made a quilt and put a wider binding on it (about 5/8ths) by taking a wider seam and was not very pleased with how it had turned out. It seemed heavier and distracting.

Glad you went with the shirting border! It looks fabulous!

I would bind it with the size you normally do in the hot pink...that will be enough to pick up the color in the narrow border. :)

I agree with Shadow Dancer .. hot pink binding would really finish it off great!

this is a really neat quilt, I love the tropical colors in it! I can't wait to see it finished!

I think it is looking really awesome....

Oh now that is just adorable. Is this your own pattern or one that you purchased? Very cute! I think that inner pink accent border is just perfect...it really pulls the pink out of the other fabrics in your top. :) Everyone's taste is different, but I think your normal size binding would be just fine. (I like a narrow binding myself.) I would even switch it up, since you've got so many colors and maybe bind it in one of those bright blue's or green's you've got in there.

Whatever size binding you decide to go with, I would think you would stop at that same (finished) measurement at each corner as you go around the quilt folding your binding down. I haven't played around too much with different size bindings though, so this is just a guess! I'll be anxious to see what advice you are given in that regard. :)

Can't wait to see how you decide to finish! :)

I would go with either a pink binding like your inner sashing or the green like you've got in the squares. I like the pink idea the best though. If you want to make your binding wider, choose whatever seam allowance you like. Then, when you get to the corners, stop sewing that distance from the corner. ie if you use a 1/2 inch seam allowance, stop sewing 1/2 inch from the corner and do your flipping to turn the corner. That way, you should be able to turn the corner with no problem. Practise with some scraps of material the same thickness as your quilt till you get the hang of it. Your quilt is awesome. Love your colour choices.

When I made my Baby Snowmen quilt it called for a wider binding. You cut it 4" fold & press right side together; place raw edges ½" from raw edge of quilt; Use ¾" seam allowance, make sure edge of binding aligns with edge of presser foot. Fold binding to wrong side & hand stitch to back. I didn't even consider trying to miter the binding, just did top - bottom - side - side....
Yikes, my picture shows up so large, really only wanted to show you the binding to get an idea, sorry!

I love your snowbaby quilt. Did you design it yourself?

fabricluvr, that is one way cool quilt!!! I have no suggestions on the binding, not expierenced enough to add my 2 cents, but I'm sure it'll be great no matter what you decide.

thimblebug...the baby snowmen are just adorable!!

What ever..I also think this quilt looks great just the way it is....
Nice job

I really really love this quilt of yours :D

Aww! I love your flip flop quilt. I am a flip flop kinda gal.

Thimblebug I also love your baby snowmen quilt.

Those are adorable!

Did you have a pttern? A quilt like that would be perfect for one of my daughters who lives in Santa Cruz.

barbsbus - yes, the pattern is by Pat Sloan and is called Flip Flops in Paradise. really simple to make. and as was mentioned, lots of fun finding the fabrics that coordinate! i have enough of most of it to make another for my other SIL that lives near Ft. Lauderdale (her birthday isn't until October, thank goodness!)

thimblebug - love your snowmen! curious how wide the blue sashing is in your. is it an inch? is that a pattern that you bought? you gave me just the information is was looking for to try a little bit of a wider binding! i'm going to practice today!

thanks again everyone! i'm excited to get it sandwiched this morning and start quilting on it!

I use the continuous french fold binding method. it's fairly easy to make a wider binding by cutting your strips wider, then fold it in half and press right side out. As long as you stop an equal amount to your seam allowance from the corner, you should have nicely mitered corners when you flip the binding to the backside. For instance, if you want a wide 1 inch border, cut binding strips 6 inches wide, fold in half, press, stitch to the quilt 1 inch from the edge but make sure to stop 1 inch from the corner.

yep, i practiced on a scrap block this morning and i was able to get a fairly decent mitered corner. i'm quilting on it now. should get it done today/tonight!

Yay! I do love the look of wider bindings :)

Love your snowmen, what a great quilt.

I need help mitering a wider binding/border. I cut 4 1/2" binding strips, folded it in half lengthwise, sewed them on with a 1/4" seam to the top outer edges of the quilt, and the corners just won't miter! It's amazing that I still have hair left on my head!?! Am I missing something?

I cut mine 2 1/2 wide and then fold. 4 1/2 seems very wide.