How to Add Wide Quilt Bindings

Quilts can be used as bedspreads, wall hangings or as other decorative pieces.

Binding is a clean way to finish off the edge of a quilt. It not only secures the end of the quilt from tearing or fraying, but it can also be a great accent piece. You can use complementary or contrasting colors or even an interesting pattern to finish off the quilt and give it a personal touch. Adding a wide binding to the quilt is like adding a tiny binding but you will be using more fabric. This is probably one of the more simple steps in quilting and can be completed by almost any beginning quilter.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Fabric scissors or fabric-cutting roller
• Fabric
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Instructions

1. Measure the edges of the quilt on which you wish to connect the binding. This is typically all sides of the quilt. Each piece of binding will be the full length of the quilt as each length of binding overlaps the other on the corners. There's no need to subtract inches to make room for the binding on a bordering side.

2. Cut strips of fabric with a pair of fabric scissors or a fabri-cutting roller. These strips should have the same length as the the measurements taken in the previous step. The width of each strip should be at a measurement you consider to be wide. There's no set definition that would describe what is wide, normal or thin when it comes to the width of a quilt binding. You, as the quilter, can assess it and determine what looks good.

3. Fold the bindings in half the long way. Press a warmed flatiron onto the surface of the folded bindings to create a crease. Set the iron to the appropriate setting for the fabric you are using. Creating a crease will make it easier for you to wrap the bindings around the edges of the quilt. It will also act as a guide showing the center line for each binding. This is the location in which the edge of the quilt should rest.

4. Slide a binding over the edge of the quilt that matches the length of the binding. Insert the edge of the quilt into the crease of the folded binding. Make a simple straight stitch with a sewing machine along the edge of the binding that is furthest from the end of the quilt to secure the binding to the quilt. The stitch should go through the quilt and both sides of the binding. You will be sewing both sides of the binding to the quilt at the same time. Repeat this for each binding you wish to attach to the quilt. Work around the quilt from one edge to the edge that is bordering it. Overlap the end of one binding with the start of the next binding.

References

• Dummies: Making Machine Stitches Work for You
• Generations Quilt Patterns: Quilt Binding and Other Edge Finishes