Tracy_Lit5

I was given a quilt to add binding to.
I have the fabric to do the binding with. However, I'm not THAT experienced in finishing someone else project.
As you can see in the picture, the green border was added to the original quilt top and the yellow backing.
The quilter quilted out to about 2" from one edge and 1" from the other edge.

What would be the best way to add binding:
1. Trim evenly all around, then add the binding to the raw edges?
2. Draw a line 6" out from the yellow border, then add the binding to that. THEN trim it off?
3. I'm open to other ideas.

Thanks,
Tracy
(I posted this in the Pictures forum when asking about what color binding to get, but now it's a "what do I do" question.

Prism99

Option #2 is how I would do it.

I prefer to draw a "virtual" cutting line on the quilt, apply binding as if the marked line were the cutting line, then trim to the line. If I am finishing the binding by machine, I need the line to be on the back of the quilt, so I sew over the marked line with a long basting stitch and contrasting bobbin thread. The bobbin thread becomes my "virtual" cutting line on the back of the quilt.

Doing it this way ensures that I will not have to deal with puckers or tucks while I sew on the binding. Since the quilting ends so far from the edge on your quilt, seems to me this could be a problem if you cut before sewing. Also, marking and sewing first helps prevent the edges of the quilt stretching out of shape as the binding is sewn on.

Just be careful when you do the actual trimming to *not* trim any of the binding off, especially at the corners. At the corners it can create a hole in the miter. (Do not ask me how I know this.)

This is not how most quilters do it, but I got so frustrated with cutting first that I developed this method that works much better for me.

Peckish

I usually square my quilts up first, then bind them.

Tracy_Lit5

I like the #2 idea from Prism99. I, too, have cut into my mitered corner before. ONCE. I learned my lesson REAL QUICK.
I'm afraid if I trim first, that there will be to much shifting around of the layers. If the quilting had closer lines, it might be different. I've done that before and it wasn't an issue. But I'm afraid of shifting.

When I usually do binding, I sew the binding with a contrasting bobbin thread, so when I turn the binding to the back, I can see better that the binding is actually covering the bobbin threads. I then stitch-in-the-ditch on the top.

Any more ideas?
Thanks

katier825

Before I trim my extra batting/backing, I sew a narrow serpentine stitch along the edge of the quilt. Then I trim it. It helps hold down the raw edge and makes it easier to add the binding. You could mark the cutting line, center the serpentine stitch over the line, add the binding and trim. Just be sure that the stitch is within the seam allowance. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it's a bit easier to handle the fabric where the quilting is more spaced apart.

Suze9395

When I take my quilts off my frame I run them through the serger. I like all the layers being tidy when I go to put on my binding.

Tracy_Lit5

Well, I think what I'll do is a combination of them.
Thank you all so much for your opinions !!