Edge finishing is a crucial step in quilt making, adding a polished look and protecting your quilt's edges. Binding, also known as edging, is a popular method for this purpose. It involves sewing a strip of fabric around the perimeter of your quilt, creating a clean, finished edge. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to edge a quilt with binding.
Before we dive into the process, let's ensure you have the right tools and materials. You'll need your finished quilt top, backing, and batting; binding fabric (usually 2.5 to 3 inches wide); scissors or rotary cutter; iron; sewing machine; and pins or clips.
Preparing Your Binding
Binding comes in two types: single-fold and double-fold. For this guide, we'll focus on single-fold binding, which is simpler and great for beginners.
To prepare your binding, cut your fabric into strips that are 2.5 to 3 inches wide. The length depends on the size of your quilt. A common rule of thumb is to have about 10 inches of binding for every 45 inches of quilt perimeter. However, it's always better to have a little extra than not enough.
Sewing the Binding Strips Together
Once you've cut your strips, it's time to sew them together. Place two strips right sides together, with the top edge of one strip aligned with the bottom edge of the other. Sew along the long edge, leaving a small opening to turn the binding right side out.
After sewing, trim the seam allowance to about 1/4 inch. Then, turn the binding right side out using a turning tool or a pencil. Press the seam with an iron, creating a smooth, continuous strip of binding.
Hanging the Binding
Hanging the binding involves folding the binding in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and pressing. This creates a crease down the middle, which will help you keep your 1/4 inch seam allowance when sewing.
Start hanging your binding from one corner of your quilt. Place the folded edge of the binding along the edge of your quilt, with the raw edges of the binding and quilt aligned. Sew with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, using your crease as a guide.
Attaching the Binding to the Quilt
Now that your binding is prepared, it's time to attach it to your quilt. Start at a corner, as this is the most challenging part. Here's how to do it:
Fold the binding up at the corner, creating a 45-degree angle. Then, fold it back down, creating a neat corner. Sew across this corner, then continue sewing along the edge of your quilt.
Sewing Around the Corners
When you reach another corner, stop sewing about 1/4 inch before the corner. Fold the binding up at the corner, creating a 45-degree angle. Then, fold it back down, creating a neat corner. Sew across this corner, then continue sewing along the edge of your quilt.
Repeat this process for all four corners. Once you've sewn all the way around your quilt, you'll have a strip of binding hanging off each side. These will be used to create the mitered corners on the back of your quilt.
Creating the Mitered Corners
To create a mitered corner, fold the binding back on itself at a 45-degree angle. Then, fold it back down, creating a neat corner. Sew across this corner, then continue sewing along the edge of your quilt.
Repeat this process for all four corners. Once you've sewn all the way around your quilt, you'll have a strip of binding hanging off each side. These will be used to create the mitered corners on the back of your quilt.
Finishing the Binding
Now that you've sewn all the way around your quilt, it's time to finish the binding. Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt, creating a neat edge. Sew along the edge of the binding, using your machine's edge guide to keep your seam allowance even.
When you reach a corner, fold the binding up at the corner, creating a 45-degree angle. Then, fold it back down, creating a neat corner. Sew across this corner, then continue sewing along the edge of the binding.
Once you've sewn all the way around your quilt, you'll have a beautifully finished edge. Give your quilt a final press, and you're done! Binding is a great way to add a professional finish to your quilts, and with a little practice, you'll be able to do it with ease.