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Tape maker or "fold tape in half lengthwise" method (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 1/25/15 11:08 AM ET
I have a tape-maker that allows me to easily make 1"double folded binding. (Im not making bias, just straight grain binding). I usually cut the strips about 1 7/8 inches to put through the tape maker.
I'm reading a "oh fransson" blog tutorial on making tape and she cute 2.5 inch strips and just irons them in half. Although that appears at first to take more fabric, I'm trying to get a second head around this method.
If I use a tape maker, I'm folding both edges of the tape into the center, then folding the tape in half. So when I actually sew my binding on, the very "edge" of the quilt (placemat in this situation) only has one layer of fabric against it. Since the center "fold" is just where the two edges if tape meet and isn't a layer of fabric.
With the other method (just take 2.5 inches of tape and fold in half lengthwise) you get two layers of binding at the very edge. It seems stronger (I know, not as strong as bias) and may be worth the extra fabric.
I'm sure there are a lot of opinions around this, but which method do you prefer?
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I'm reading a "oh fransson" blog tutorial on making tape and she cute 2.5 inch strips and just irons them in half. Although that appears at first to take more fabric, I'm trying to get a second head around this method.
If I use a tape maker, I'm folding both edges of the tape into the center, then folding the tape in half. So when I actually sew my binding on, the very "edge" of the quilt (placemat in this situation) only has one layer of fabric against it. Since the center "fold" is just where the two edges if tape meet and isn't a layer of fabric.
With the other method (just take 2.5 inches of tape and fold in half lengthwise) you get two layers of binding at the very edge. It seems stronger (I know, not as strong as bias) and may be worth the extra fabric.
I'm sure there are a lot of opinions around this, but which method do you prefer?
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Bernina 630, Pfaff 2058, Babylock Eclipse DX, BLCS-2
Posted on: 1/25/15 11:32 AM ET
I've never used a tape marker -- I cut my binding across the width of the fabric. I use a method I found in Teach Yourself Machine Piecing & Quilting.
I determine the width of my strips by how wide I want the finished binding to be -- for a 1/4" binding I cut the strips 1.5" wide; press in half lengthwise and then attach to the quilt edges with a 1/4" seam allowance. The book says to cut the binding 6 times the width of the finished binding (which is also the seam allowance) -- I've done 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" binding so far and they all turned out great.
The method in the book (called French binding) shows you how to mitre the corners as you go and how to do the joins where the ends meet without having to stitch to join them. This is the only method I've used so far and I love the results I get with it.
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I determine the width of my strips by how wide I want the finished binding to be -- for a 1/4" binding I cut the strips 1.5" wide; press in half lengthwise and then attach to the quilt edges with a 1/4" seam allowance. The book says to cut the binding 6 times the width of the finished binding (which is also the seam allowance) -- I've done 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" binding so far and they all turned out great.
The method in the book (called French binding) shows you how to mitre the corners as you go and how to do the joins where the ends meet without having to stitch to join them. This is the only method I've used so far and I love the results I get with it.
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Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
Posted on: 1/25/15 11:59 AM ET
Thank you. This looks actually simpler that the double folded binding (and stringer since you've got doubled fabric all along the edge). I will google "French binding" since I don't have the book.
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Bernina 630, Pfaff 2058, Babylock Eclipse DX, BLCS-2
Posted on: 1/25/15 8:13 PM ET
Another vote for French Fold binding.
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
Posted on: 1/25/15 8:22 PM ET
In reply to Melcalifornia
If I understand your post, the method you propose with the tape maker gives the quilt a binding that is one layer of fabric in the edge.
The method you saw in a blog gives the quilt two layers of fabric on the edge of the quilt. This is the method I like to use on my quilts; it is personal preference and either way is right.
Some say that two layers is best for a quilt that will see heavy use, washing & drying. If the outer layer of binding wears out, the second layer is behind it to protect the raw sandwich edge of the quilt.
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The method you saw in a blog gives the quilt two layers of fabric on the edge of the quilt. This is the method I like to use on my quilts; it is personal preference and either way is right.
Some say that two layers is best for a quilt that will see heavy use, washing & drying. If the outer layer of binding wears out, the second layer is behind it to protect the raw sandwich edge of the quilt.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
Posted on: 1/25/15 11:38 PM ET
I think that ive learned some terms. im making "double fold binding tae" with my tale maker, but the preferred method is the "French Fold". I just didn't know what to call these methods! I think that the tape maker is somewhat fun to use but folding the strip in half lengthwise and just sewing that raw edge is actually much easier for me to do.
I made tape tonight (French Fold this time
and will sew it all together tomorrow.
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I made tape tonight (French Fold this time
and will sew it all together tomorrow.------
Bernina 630, Pfaff 2058, Babylock Eclipse DX, BLCS-2
Posted on: 1/26/15 0:47 AM ET
In reply to Melcalifornia
I too was working on binding tonight -- trying to finish the hand stitching on the binding for a table runner that I need to get finished and in the mail before next weekend.
Finding the terminology you need to use to get the right information on the internet is often problematic for me -- my DH is much better at this. I'm "old school" and still tend to turn to my resource books before I search the internet.
Good luck with your binding.
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Finding the terminology you need to use to get the right information on the internet is often problematic for me -- my DH is much better at this. I'm "old school" and still tend to turn to my resource books before I search the internet.
Good luck with your binding.
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Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
Posted on: 1/26/15 8:53 AM ET
I like the French Fold binding method too. I Googled and came up with this link for same...
French Fold Binding Tutorial
Very easy to do.
-- Edited on 1/26/15 at 8:57 AM --
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French Fold Binding Tutorial
Very easy to do.
-- Edited on 1/26/15 at 8:57 AM --
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A photo is worth a thousand words...
http://oceanpeg.blogspot.com
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Posted on: 1/26/15 9:26 AM ET
I've used double or French binding for many years. I adjust the size I cut according to the quilt batting, though usually use 2-1/2" or 2-3/4". Once in a great while, I iron it in half, but most of the time I do not. I found the suggestion not to iron the binding in half in a book on binding years ago (I think it was Happy Endings by Mimi Dietrich, but it may be another book).
The idea behind not pressing the binding in half is that allows a slight shift in the location of the stitching line on the second step of sewing. By the time the raw edge binding is sewn on, then folded over the edge of the quilt, the "turn of cloth" has shifted the stitching line just a bit from dead center. It works OK to iron the binding, fabric can be that forgiving, but it works great without ironing. That eliminates a task, as well as the chance I will warp the binding, especially when using bias.
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The idea behind not pressing the binding in half is that allows a slight shift in the location of the stitching line on the second step of sewing. By the time the raw edge binding is sewn on, then folded over the edge of the quilt, the "turn of cloth" has shifted the stitching line just a bit from dead center. It works OK to iron the binding, fabric can be that forgiving, but it works great without ironing. That eliminates a task, as well as the chance I will warp the binding, especially when using bias.
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Bernina: 910, 440, 770 QE Plus
Bernina 1150MDA; L850
Brother Sashiko
Vintage/classic Singer: 201, 301, 221, 99 hand crank;
(1902) 28 hand crank - needs a new home
Bernina 1150MDA; L850
Brother Sashiko
Vintage/classic Singer: 201, 301, 221, 99 hand crank;
(1902) 28 hand crank - needs a new home
Posted on: 1/26/15 10:27 AM ET
I also do not iron my binding strips in half. For quilts, I use 2 1/4 wide strips, then sew it 1/4 inch from the quilt edge. I also use a thin bead of Elmers washable glue to press down the binding exactly where I want it - no pins, clips or anything in the way when I sew it down. If I want it really pretty, will hand sew, but for most things, will machine stitch it down.
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maminstl
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