Embracing the art of quilting often involves mastering various techniques, one of which is binding. Binding not only finishes your quilt but also adds a professional touch. Today, we're going to explore how to self-bind a quilt using backing fabric with mitered corners, a method that ensures a clean, polished look.
Before we dive in, let's ensure you have the right materials. You'll need your quilt top, backing fabric, binding fabric, scissors, a rotary cutter, a cutting mat, and a sewing machine. Now, let's get started!
Preparing Your Quilt and Binding
First, ensure your quilt is complete, including the batting and backing. For binding, you'll need a continuous piece of fabric. The width of your binding will depend on your preference, but 2.5 inches is a common size.
To create a continuous binding, cut your fabric into strips, then join them together using a 45-degree angle. This method reduces the number of seams and ensures a smooth binding.
Calculating Binding Length
To determine the length of binding needed, measure the perimeter of your quilt. Add 10-12 inches to this measurement to account for mitered corners and any waste. For example, if your quilt's perimeter is 100 inches, you'll need approximately 112 inches of binding.
Remember, it's always better to have a little extra binding than not enough. You can always trim any excess later.
Sewing the Binding to the Quilt
Start by placing your quilt right side down. Align one end of your binding along one side of your quilt, right sides together. Sew along the edge, leaving a ¼-inch seam allowance. Stop sewing 2-3 inches before the corner to prepare for mitering.
To create a mitered corner, fold the binding up at a 45-degree angle, creating a triangle. Fold this triangle back onto itself, creating another triangle. Sew along this new fold, then continue sewing the binding around the quilt.
Finishing the Binding
Once you've sewn all four sides, you'll have a mitered corner at each corner of your quilt. To finish, fold the binding over to the front of the quilt, creating a neat edge. Press the binding with an iron to help it lay flat.
Now, it's time to hand-stitch the binding to the front of your quilt. Start in the middle of one side, hiding your knot in the binding. Use a ladder stitch, bringing your needle up through the binding, then down through the quilt, creating small stitches that won't show on the front.
Creating a Clean Finish
When you reach a corner, fold the binding up, creating a 45-degree angle. Stitch through this fold, then continue stitching along the next side. This will create a clean, mitered corner on the front of your quilt.
Continue stitching until you reach the starting point. Knot your thread and trim any excess binding. Your quilt is now bound and ready to display or use!
Binding your quilt using backing fabric with mitered corners is a rewarding process that adds a professional touch to your quilts. Practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempts aren't flawless. With each quilt, you'll gain confidence and skill. Happy quilting!