How to Machine Sew a Single Fold Binding to a Quilt
The material around the edge of a quilt is called the binding. The two most popular methods to bind a quilt are the double fold and single fold. The single fold method is predominantly used for wall hangings or for quilts that will not undergo a lot of use. When this method is used, the quilt will only have one layer of fabric around the edge, which can be easily torn.
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Instructions
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1
Measure the perimeter of your quilt. Include both sides, as well as the top and bottom in your measurement. Add 6 inches to this measurement. This will be the length of your binding.
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2
Measure, mark and cut a piece of binding 3 inches wide, with a length that corresponds to the measurement in Step 1.
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3
Lay the binding fabric lengthwise on a flat surface. The pattern should be face down. Fold the bottom of the fabric up by ½ inch. Fold the top of the fabric down by ½ inch. Iron both folds along the entire length of the binding to hold the folds in place. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. Iron the fold into place.
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4
Slide one end of the binding fabric over the bottom of the quilt. The edge of the quilt should fit snugly into the fold through the middle of the binding. Pin the binding to the quilt by threading a pin through the top of the binding, through the quilt and back of the binding. Smooth the fabric to the edge of the quilt. Hold the top edge of the binding to the edge of the quilt. Grasp the binding approximately 1 inch past the edge of the quilt and rotate the binding up 90 degrees, so that the center of the binding fits snugly over the side of the quilt. This process will form a small triangle in the corner on both the front and back of the quilt. Smooth the edges of the triangle and iron the folds to hold the creases. Repeat this step around all four edges and corners of the quilt.
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5
Overlap the binding on the bottom of the quilt by 1 ½ inch. Fold the cut edge under ½ inch. Iron the edge and secure the binding fold with straight pins.
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6
Thread the sewing machine.
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7
Place the quilt into the sewing machine and sew the binding at the bottom of the quilt. Sew the binding ¾-inch from the edge of the quilt. Leave the needle in the fabric when you are about ¾-inch from the side of the quilt. Rotate the quilt 90 degrees and sew the binding about ¾-inch from the edge of the quilt, until the binding is secured around the edges and corners. Stop sewing when you reach the end of the binding, which is overlapped at the bottom of the quilt.
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Tips & Warnings
The binding can be cut to various sizes, depending on the amount of material that you wish to see on the front of your finished quilt. Adjust the width of your binding and the distance of the binding seam, as desired.
References
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