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Binding a Quilt How do you bind your quilts?
JudithE Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 6/12/07 Posts: 103	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/5/09 7:11 PM I have been quilting for about 7 years now and have made about 15 quilts in total. However, my binding always looks sloppy. After I complete the binding on the front side, the stitches show through to the back of the quilt but away from the binding on the quilted areas. What I do now is cut a strip of fabric 2 3/4" wide and press it lengthwise in half. I then take the unfinished edge of the strip and sew that onto the back side of the edge of the quilt with a 1/4" seam allowance. When that is complete all the way around, I then flip it over to the front side and sew it, trying to stitch into the ditch of the stitches done on the back. But this doesn't seem to be working for me. Could some of you share your tips for binding so I can get an idea of what I can do to make a neater looking, better looking quilt? Thanks so much! --JudithE ------ JudithE
Restart06 Intermediate USA Member since 10/29/06 Posts: 2051	Login to reply to this post In reply to JudithE Like this post Date: 9/5/09 7:50 PM JudithE there are a variety of ways to bind a quilt. What looks best IMHO for my quilts is as follows: strip 2 1/2" wide match raw edge of binding with raw edge of quilt front sew 3/8 inch from edge flip over to back of quilt hand sew to back with back stitch use mitered corners There are several methods available on the internet and it took trial & error before I have settled on this technique. Hope this helps. In Eleanor Burns books she has a nice technique that my MIL uses and likes. I have never gotten stitch in the ditch to look as nice as the hand sewing the binding to the back. Good luck! -- Edited on 9/5/09 7:51 PM -- ------ There is no easy way! quote from my Grandfather Sharing is caring! Stash yds sewn in 2013 - 18 from quilting stash, with more cut out!!
aslinnd Beginner AUSTRALIA Member since 5/28/07 Posts: 576	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/5/09 8:30 PM I don't know if its sold in US but the last issue of Australia Quilters Companion lately they have all been coming with DVD's that focus on particular things. They did one on binding, really demonstrating 3 different finishes. You may be able to get a copy on ebay or the like but I found it really helpful. I do 2 1/4" strips folded and pressed, raw edge to back - but I use a tool called the binding mitre tool. This is how I learned to bind quilts in the first class I took. the instructions say there is a video demo at www.animas.com. I haven't viewed and I've had the mitre tool for about 3 years but it may be worth looking at. I'm happy with the result although I may experiment more with the ones I saw on the DVD.
CJ Tinkle Intermediate AR USA Member since 2/5/06 Posts: 963	Login to reply to this post In reply to JudithE Like this post Date: 9/5/09 8:45 PM Judith, I don't sew anything by hand. I cut my bindings 2 1/2 inches wide, folded in half, and sew to the back first just as you've described. Flip it over to the front, and using an edgestitch foot, I moved my needle position 2 clicks to the right. Instead of trying to land exactly in the seam line on the back (no way you're going to hit it perfectly all the time), I stitch a new seam just a smidge over. The first seam is hidden, and the front and back match exactly, because it's one new seam. ------ Bernina Artista 630 ✂ Bernina Aurora 430 ✂ Bernina 1300MDC ✂ Babylock BLCS ✂ APQS Millennium ✂ Juki TL2010Q ✂ Singer 201-2 ✂ Singer 301 ✂ Singer 401A ✂ Singer 15-91 ✂ Singer Featherweight 222K ✂ Singer Featherweight 221 www.tinkletimes.com
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6990	Login to reply to this post In reply to JudithE Like this post Date: 9/5/09 8:46 PM If your complaint is with your machine stitching off the edge and coming through to the other side, here's what I do. I move my folded edge 1/4" past the seam that holds the binding in place, then stitch in the ditch on the front. I mark this area with a chalk pencil so I know where it is when I fold it. If all else fails and you still want to machine bind your quilt, try using a zigzag and it won't make any difference. It would look like it was decorative. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
Kathy_AZ   Advanced Beginner AZ USA Member since 1/19/05 Posts: 253	Login to reply to this post In reply to JudithE Like this post Date: 9/5/09 9:09 PM I've had good results using the technique I saw on the Sharon Schamber Network. It's demonstrated in a three part video. Here's the link: Binding Video ------ Viking Designer SE LE; Viking 936 serger; Janome CoverPro 1000; Viking Sapphire 870; 1957 Brother mechanical.
SheilaAnn Intermediate MD USA Member since 3/28/08 Posts: 393	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/5/09 9:15 PM I agree with Kathy. Sharon Schamber's method shown in her video is wonderful. I've done many quilt bindings, and when I tried it her way (with glue etc) I got the best results ever! ------ Sheila God's love is infinite!
RachelV Intermediate CA Member since 9/18/05 Posts: 179	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/5/09 10:28 PM I sew mine on the front like you, and handstitch to the back. I don't like the stitches showing on the front. Someone in my quilt group sews it on the front, flips it over and uses one of the decorative stitches to sew it on the back so it has a pretty stitch on the front and back. I tried that once, but didn't really like it. It all depends on personal preference!
fwbean472 Advanced Beginner AL USA Member since 8/17/05 Posts: 641	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/6/09 10:36 AM I cut mine at 2.5" and sew to the front. To keep it in place on the back I use the Wonder Tape. It's a double-sided transparent tape that can be stitched through, does not gum up the needle and completely washes away in the first wash. Then I stitch in the ditch from the front. I LOVE the Wonder Tape. Alathia
JudithE Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 6/12/07 Posts: 103	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/6/09 8:33 PM Thanks for all for the great information and suggestions. And to Kathy I did view the Binding Video where she uses the glue method and that is something I would like to try. I would also like to try the Wonder Tape method as well. I think I'll do a test with all the different ways you ladies have described to get a sense of what works for me. Thanks again! JudithE ------ JudithE

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