seam allowance when binding on quilt
12-23-2019, 11:06 AM
#22
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Originally Posted by Tartan
They say that the front and back are supposed to be the same but they can’t be in my opinion. If you want to cover the thread line from the front then the back needs to be a little bigger.
There's only rules about quilts you're entering to be judged. I just sewed a 1" binding on a baby quilt and I love how it turned out. It's a lot softer than regular binding, which can sometimes feel almost like a cord at the edge of the quilt.
12-23-2019, 07:35 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by Iceblossom
I don't trim off my batting until after I've put on the first machine stitching of the binding, and I use that seam for my measurement.
I cut my bindings a bit fuller than most, at 3" and so I trim .5" from that seam line for a nice full binding. When we say "full" that doesn't mean round, just the same as the body of the quilt.
If you have a half inch finished binding and you trimmed everything at 1/4" that means half your binding is empty.
You can add in little wisps of left over batting if you need to.
Edit: It's not that big a deal really, but if you want to show your quilts it is expected (along with mitered corners). Doesn't impact the kindness of a gift or the durability of the quilt. For the first couple of decades of my quilting I used straight bindings with butt joints. Decided to switch to bias French double fold binding and miter corners because that was the expectation/standard but mostly I just say Boo to the quilt police
I cut my bindings a bit fuller than most, at 3" and so I trim .5" from that seam line for a nice full binding. When we say "full" that doesn't mean round, just the same as the body of the quilt.
If you have a half inch finished binding and you trimmed everything at 1/4" that means half your binding is empty.
You can add in little wisps of left over batting if you need to.
Edit: It's not that big a deal really, but if you want to show your quilts it is expected (along with mitered corners). Doesn't impact the kindness of a gift or the durability of the quilt. For the first couple of decades of my quilting I used straight bindings with butt joints. Decided to switch to bias French double fold binding and miter corners because that was the expectation/standard but mostly I just say Boo to the quilt police
Idle Di
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 12-24-2019 at 03:30 AM. Reason: shouting/all caps
12-23-2019, 07:38 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by maviskw
This is what I do. I trim the binding and back just enough so that there isn't so much in my way. I sew the binding on with a 1/4 in seam. (Sometimes that is very necessary to save points.) Then I measure from the seam I have just sewn for the correct width to make the binding full after it is turned to the other side.
Silly question though, how do you make sure that the front of the quilt where you are sewing is level and straight without cutting the edging off.
Idle Di
12-23-2019, 07:39 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by Sailorwoman
The only advice that I would add here is that if you use flannel for binding, increase your seam allowance to about 1/2" since flannel tends to fray more easily.
I had never thought of using flannel for binding, thank you for the tip
Idle Di
12-23-2019, 07:42 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by themadpatter
I'll just assume I'm missing something, because my binding is always full because I just fold it over onto the back along the edge of the quilt. But, the back of the binding can be larger or smaller than the width on the front. Is it supposed to be the same???
Good question, and that is another one for me to find the answer to
Idle Di
12-23-2019, 07:44 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by momsbusy
You should be using your walking foot. Mine has a quarter inch mark.
Great response, i had not thought of using the walking foot for binding, i have used the 1/4 inch foot. will try the walking one next
Idle Di
12-23-2019, 08:12 PM
#29
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I normally use a 2" strip, press in half and use a 1/4" seam allowance. I sew to the back first and fold over to the front of the quilt. My bindings are very narrow and I try to make them so they don't take away from the quilt top.
When using a 2-1/2 inch binding, I use a 3/8 inch seam allowance.
When using a 2-1/4 inch binding, I use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Nice thing is that there are no "Quilt Police". Find what you like best and run with it. It will be beautiful.
When using a 2-1/2 inch binding, I use a 3/8 inch seam allowance.
When using a 2-1/4 inch binding, I use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Nice thing is that there are no "Quilt Police". Find what you like best and run with it. It will be beautiful.
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