Finishing w/ Double Fold Binding by Machine
The double fold binding with mitered corners is the most familiar edge finish for quilts. There are two ways of finishing with double fold binding, hand sewn or machine sewn. Finishing by machine is much faster and can make smaller projects, such as table runners or placemats, reversible.
The double fold binding with mitered corners is the most familiar edge finish for quilts. There are two ways of finishing with double fold binding, hand sewn or machine sewn. Finishing by machine is much faster and can make smaller projects, such as table runners or placemats, reversible.
After completing the quilt top, it's time to make a sandwich. A quilt sandwich-with the quilt top on top, the batting in the middle and the backing fabric on the bottom. Make sure all the layers are straight and smooth. Let the batting and backing extend at least 1" around the quilt top. Then pin in place with safety pins. Use the large and sharp safety pins made for quilting. Avoid ruining the fabric by punching holes or pulling threads. Baste by hand all the way around the edge.
After completing the quilt top, it's time to make a sandwich. A quilt sandwich-with the quilt top on top, the batting in the middle and the backing fabric on the bottom. Make sure all the layers are straight and smooth. Let the batting and backing extend at least 1" around the quilt top. Then pin in place with safety pins. Use the large and sharp safety pins made for quilting. Avoid ruining the fabric by punching holes or pulling threads. Baste by hand all the way around the edge.
Next, quilt any way you would like. The possibilities literally are endless. One of the simplest ways is to "stitch in the ditch". Which is sewing over the seams with clear quilting thread on the top and thread matching the backing in the bobbin. When you have finished quilting, you will do a final trim around the edge of your quilt. Leave at least a 1/4" to 1/2" wide edge all the way around. This way when the binding is folded over the edge, it will be a little puffy.
Next, quilt any way you would like. The possibilities literally are endless. One of the simplest ways is to "stitch in the ditch". Which is sewing over the seams with clear quilting thread on the top and thread matching the backing in the bobbin. When you have finished quilting, you will do a final trim around the edge of your quilt. Leave at least a 1/4" to 1/2" wide edge all the way around. This way when the binding is folded over the edge, it will be a little puffy.
Double fold binding can be created in two different ways. There's biased-cut double binding and there's straight of grain-cut binding. Bias-cut binding is a bit more work, but it's useful for a curved edge. Look to the left hand navigation and you'll find a section about making bias strips. Straight of grain-cut binding is cut from selvedge to selvedge, just as you would cut any fabric strip.
Double fold binding can be created in two different ways. There's biased-cut double binding and there's straight of grain-cut binding. Bias-cut binding is a bit more work, but it's useful for a curved edge. Look to the left hand navigation and you'll find a section about making bias strips. Straight of grain-cut binding is cut from selvedge to selvedge, just as you would cut any fabric strip.
It's a good idea to prepare your binding as you're piecing the quilt top. This means that as soon as you are done quilting, you can move on to the binding and finish your quilt. You can store the binding around a empty paper towel roll to keep it wrinkle free. I usually like to use the same fabric for the backing and the binding. To me, it just looks more finished.
It's a good idea to prepare your binding as you're piecing the quilt top. This means that as soon as you are done quilting, you can move on to the binding and finish your quilt. You can store the binding around a empty paper towel roll to keep it wrinkle free. I usually like to use the same fabric for the backing and the binding. To me, it just looks more finished.
Before cutting the strips, you need to decide how wide you want the binding to finish at. A 1-7/8" wide strip will finish at 1/4", 2-1/2" will finish at 3/8" and 3-1/4" will finish at 1/2". I usually cut 2-1/2" strips. To determine the binding length, lay the quilt flat and measure from the center to the edge of each border. Don't just measure along the outer edge of the quilt, as the length of one side maybe stretched a bit or distorted. add the lengths of each side together. Add approximately 20" to allow for diagonally seaming strips and finishing the ends of continuous binding. Measure and add together all sides of the quilt-then add another 6"-8" inches. This will tell what length the binding needs to be. After cutting the fabric strips, sew them together end to end, using a 1/4" diagonal seam.
Before cutting the strips, you need to decide how wide you want the binding to finish at. A 1-7/8" wide strip will finish at 1/4", 2-1/2" will finish at 3/8" and 3-1/4" will finish at 1/2". I usually cut 2-1/2" strips. To determine the binding length, lay the quilt flat and measure from the center to the edge of each border. Don't just measure along the outer edge of the quilt, as the length of one side maybe stretched a bit or distorted. add the lengths of each side together. Add approximately 20" to allow for diagonally seaming strips and finishing the ends of continuous binding. Measure and add together all sides of the quilt-then add another 6"-8" inches. This will tell what length the binding needs to be. After cutting the fabric strips, sew them together end to end, using a 1/4" diagonal seam.
Press seams open and trim off any flaps.
Press seams open and trim off any flaps.
Fold this continuous strip in half, wrong sides together, down its length. Match the top edges. Press. You now have a strip of double fold binding.
Fold this continuous strip in half, wrong sides together, down its length. Match the top edges. Press. You now have a strip of double fold binding.
Beginning in the center of one side, place the binding strip against the back of the quilt sandwich, aligning the binding strip's raw edge with the quilt top's raw edge. The excess batting and backing that you have left will extend beyond the quilt top. Leave a 3"-4" tail at the beginning. You will stitch through all layers, using a 1/4" seam.
Beginning in the center of one side, place the binding strip against the back of the quilt sandwich, aligning the binding strip's raw edge with the quilt top's raw edge. The excess batting and backing that you have left will extend beyond the quilt top. Leave a 3"-4" tail at the beginning. You will stitch through all layers, using a 1/4" seam.
When stitching is about 2" from the corner, make a mark on the binding that is 1/4" from the edge of the quilt. Stitch up to the mark and back-stitch to hold in place. Cut threads and remove the quilt from the machine.
When stitching is about 2" from the corner, make a mark on the binding that is 1/4" from the edge of the quilt. Stitch up to the mark and back-stitch to hold in place. Cut threads and remove the quilt from the machine.
Fold the binding strip upward to make a 45 degree angle as shown. Finger press. While holding the diagonal fold in place with your finger, fold the strip back down, covering the first fold, bringing the binding strip down in line with the next edge.
Fold the binding strip upward to make a 45 degree angle as shown. Finger press. While holding the diagonal fold in place with your finger, fold the strip back down, covering the first fold, bringing the binding strip down in line with the next edge.
This makes a horizontal fold that aligns with the top edge of the quilt. Start sewing again at the top of the horizontal fold, stitching through all layers. Sew around the quilt, turning each corner in the same manner. Stop stitching at least 4" from where you began.
This makes a horizontal fold that aligns with the top edge of the quilt. Start sewing again at the top of the horizontal fold, stitching through all layers. Sew around the quilt, turning each corner in the same manner. Stop stitching at least 4" from where you began.
To finish the binding, return to the beginning of the binding strip. Cut a 45 degree angle from left top to the right bottom. Then, press under a 1/2"seam allowance on the beginning tail. Keep the 45 degree angle. Then tuck the ending tail inside the beginning tail. Trim the end tail, leaving a 1-1/2" overlap inside the beginning tail.
To finish the binding, return to the beginning of the binding strip. Cut a 45 degree angle from left top to the right bottom. Then, press under a 1/2"seam allowance on the beginning tail. Keep the 45 degree angle. Then tuck the ending tail inside the beginning tail. Trim the end tail, leaving a 1-1/2" overlap inside the beginning tail.
Refold the beginning tail, keeping the end of the tail tucked inside. Pin in place and finish sewing the binding to the quilt. Hand or machine stitch the fold closed.
Refold the beginning tail, keeping the end of the tail tucked inside. Pin in place and finish sewing the binding to the quilt. Hand or machine stitch the fold closed.
Turn the binding to the front of the quilt. Pin in place making sure the edge of the binding overlaps the machine stitched seam on the back by a 1/8". Use thread that matches the binding & sew 1/8" along the edge of the binding. Try to sew on the seam line on the back. Another reason that I like to use the same fabric for the backing and the binding. To create mitered corners, stitch the binding up to a corner. Then fold the opposite side over at the corner, tucking in to create a mitered corner.
Turn the binding to the front of the quilt. Pin in place making sure the edge of the binding overlaps the machine stitched seam on the back by a 1/8". Use thread that matches the binding & sew 1/8" along the edge of the binding. Try to sew on the seam line on the back. Another reason that I like to use the same fabric for the backing and the binding. To create mitered corners, stitch the binding up to a corner. Then fold the opposite side over at the corner, tucking in to create a mitered corner.
Pin in place, take a stitch or two in the fold to secure it. Then stitch the binding in place up to the next corner. Finish each corner the same way, same direction. When you are back to the beginning, stitch closed. You are done...!
Pin in place, take a stitch or two in the fold to secure it. Then stitch the binding in place up to the next corner. Finish each corner the same way, same direction. When you are back to the beginning, stitch closed. You are done...!