Unlock the Magic of Quilt Binding
BEST Binding Secrets
Unlock the BEST Secrets to a flawless finish in your quilting projects with perfect bindings. These creative tips will bring your quilting results to a new level, assuring every edge and corner of your creations are nothing short of perfect. The ’10 Best Secrets for Creative Quilt Bindings’ includes specific techniques and creative ideas for your next quilt binding.
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’10 Best Secrets for Creative Quilt Bindings’
These 10 best secrets for creative bindings are a combination of great techniques and creative ideas to help you achieve stunning bindings that will make your quilts stand out from the rest. From choosing the right fabrics to mastering the art of mitered corners, you’ll have everything you need for a perfect finish on your next quilt.
Transform Your Quilts
Binding is your final step to finishing your quilt which gives you more design opportunities to get creative with your edges! First and foremost, consider how it impacts your quilt. Think about how you can add interest.
Best Binding Secret #1
Does your binding add interest and interact with your quilt top AND backing?
Lay your binding fabric next to your quilt and think about these questions. Choose at least one that you can say ‘yes’ to and you’ll be on your way to a fantastic finish!
- Does it emphasize the quilt design either by color or contrast?
- Does it continue with a particular fabric pattern such as a bold print or graphic?
- Are you using a quilt top fabric to emphasize it in the binding?
- Have you thought about using multiple fabrics?
Edge Perfection
Attention to details will result in a beautifully finished binding. Accurate cutting matters. You cut should not only be the correct size but also cut straight. This way it will lay flat and evenly around the edge of your quilt.
Best Binding Secret #2
What size binding should I use?
There are two common binding sizes used for most quilts today. The most popular and traditionally used size is 2.5-inches which finishes at about ½-inch wide. The second option is 2.25-inches which finished at about 3/8-inch wide. This is purely a personal choice although there are some instances where one may be more desirable than the other.
Primarily the decision depends on the thickness of your quilt sandwich. If your quilt is made with heavyweight fabrics and/or thick or hi-loft batting, then the wider binding will be much easier to work with. If the opposite is true, then it would be worth trying the 2.25-inch width.
Over time you will probably find a preference in one of these two sizes. My standard choice is 2.5-inches. Maily because it’s a common size precut fabric that have on hand or is easily cut from my fabrics. I also tend to cut more binding than I need, so using a size that can also be used in other quilt projects makes sense for me.
Best Binding Secret #3
How much fabric do I need for my binding?
The required fabric for your binding will depend on the size of your quilt. For example, if your quilt measures 30-inches by 40-inches the length of binding needed will equal the perimeter of your quilt. To determine that, simply add all four sides together. In this case the the toal is 140-inches.
Example: All four sides = total binding inches needed. Then divide by 40-inches to determine how many lengths of binding to cut from yardage. Always round up to the next highest number so you don’t come up short.
If you are using yardage for your binding, you will cut your strips from selvage to selvage. This is usually at least 40-inches, but always measure just to be sure. Therefore, you will divide your total binding length required by 40-inches. 140-inches divided by 40-inches equals 3.5 strips of fabric measuring 2.5-inches by 40”.
That’ means you will need four strips of fabric for your binding. Once your strips are cut, join them together and you’ll be ready to begin adding your binding to your quilt.
Best Binding Secret #4
How much binding can I get in one Fat Quarter
If you are combining multiple fabrics, you may consider using fat quarters for your binding. A single fat quarter can provide enough binding for a baby quilt. Using many different fat quarter for a larger quilt and add lots of interest and contrast in your binding edge.
A fat quarter measures 18-inches by 20-inches. Your binding should be cut along the 20-inch width to maximize the usable strips. If you need 4 strips of 40”, you can substitute 8 strips of a FQ. Keep in mind there will be more seams which may increase the amount of fabric used.
If you cut 2.5-inch strips from a fat quarter, you will get 7 strips @ 2.5 x 20-inches. That equals 138-inches or enough for about a 30 x 36-inch baby quilt.
If you cut 2.25-inch strips from a fat quarter, you will get 8 strips @ 2.25 x 20-inches. That equals 158-inches or enough for about a 38 x 40-inc baby quilt.
Best Binding Secret #5
Fold Binding Evenly
Cut binding needs to be folded in half with wrong sides together as it’s sewn on to the quilt. Always align the binding and quilt edges together and use a ¼-inch seam. Be sure not to twist or stretch your binding as you sew or your binding may become skewed and look twisted. Additionally, don’t allow the binding to become slack as you sew. A loose fitting binding is very difficult to sew on a quilt and may resuilt in puckers along the edge.
Reminders Before Attaching Binding
Below are some best practice recommendations that will make binding your quilt easier and improve your finished results.
Best Binding Secret #6
Remove Selvage Completely for Best Appearance
Selvage edges left on your binding strips will adversely affect the look of your binding. A selvage edge is generally thicker and won’t fold or be manipulated as easily as the fabric. This may result in thicker areas of your binding where the selvages are. These areas may appear bulky or lumpy compared to the rest of the binding. It’s best not to have to deal with it!
Best Binding Secret #7
Thread & Needle Choices
Always use a good quality quilting thread for the best results. Choose a matching or neutral thread to attach your binding. You want to use the same thread on the top and bottom when you’re sewing your binding to the quilt. When you are sewing the folded binding edge to secure it in place, you may want to choose a contrasting or variegated thread to add more interest.
Always use a good quality sewing machine needle for the best results. Choose an appropriate size needle for the fabric and batting used in your quilt. Size #11 is a good general quilting needle size. If your quilt sandwich is a bit heavier, you may want to use size #12 or even a #14. For the heaviest weights, such as denim, you’ll do best with a size #16.
Best Binding Secret #8
Preparing Your Quilt Top
Once your quilt sandwich is quilted, trim the edges even. This will make sewing the binding on much easier. I strongly recommend that you also sew a narrow 1/8-inch line of stitching around the quilt top through all layers. This will keep the quilt sandwich held together securely which will eliminate any turning of loose edges.
You may want to lengthen your stitch length for this edge sewing so it doesn’t become too tight and cause any puckering along the edges. This extra row of stitching will also be useful when you’re holding the quilt edges as you sew.
Best Binding Secret #9
Join Binding Strips with A 45-Degree Diagonal Seam
For smooth transitions along seamlines, join the binding strips together with a 45-degree diagonal seam. A diagonal seam distributes the seam allowance across 2-inches of binding. If you sew straight, end-to-end seams, the seam allowance is folded on top of itself. This will create a lot of bulk and even some lumpy areas in your binding.
There are also two additional benefits. Frist, a diagonal seam blends fabrics together better in your binding. As the seam is diagonal, there is a smoother transition between fabrics, prints, and colors. Plus, if you save the small triangles from your trimmed seams, you can get a handful of little HTSs for another fun project!
Best Binding Secret #10
Use A Walking Foot
If you want the best results for sewing multiple layers of fabric evenly then you need to use a walking foot. This is as important as it is for your binding as for your quilt sandwich. Using a walking foot keeps all your fabric layers moving together smoothly which results in even seams. There’s no worry about fabric being stretched or pulled when multiple layers are sewn together.
Get Creative with Your Edges!
Now it’s time to get creative with your edges! Have fun choosing some different fabrics for your quilt binding. Or maybe mixing a few leftover fabrics from your quilt top. Once you take the first step, the next will come easily. You’ll love the results and be ready for more!
Happy Quilting!
