How to Bind a Baby Quilt With Binding Ribbon
For many new quilters, binding the finished quilt seems like a daunting task. This technique combines ready-made binding ribbon -- also called binding tape -- and your sewing machine, with minimal hand-sewing, so you'll be finished and ready to use your new quilt before you know it. A baby quilt will be used and washed often, and this double-layer French binding technique is sturdy enough to withstand rough handling. For another simple but beautiful solution, try wide grosgrain ribbon instead of the typical bias-cut fabric binding.
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Things You'll Need
- Unbound quilt
- Ready-made binding tape or ribbon, 2 1/2 inches wide
- Measuring tape
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Large square ruler
- Pins
- Sewing machine with even-feed or walking presser foot
- Needle and thread for hand stitching
Instructions
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1
Calculate how much binding you need. Add the length to the width of the quilt and multiply by two. Add another 15 inches for corners and finishing the ends. For example, a 20 by 30 quilt will require 115 inches of binding tape or ribbon.
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2
Cut the binding to the necessary length. Whether you use ready-made fabric binding or grosgrain ribbon, it is generally sold by the yard. If you cannot obtain the amount needed in one piece, sew shorter pieces together to create a continuous strip.
To piece smaller strips, lay them right sides together at a right angle and stitch across on the diagonal. Trim seam allowance to 1/4 inch and press open.
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3
Prepare the binding. Fold the binding in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press.
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4
Make sure the quilt top corners are square. Trim away any excess batting or backing even with the raw edge of the quilt top.
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5
Pin binding to the quilt back, right sides together and matching raw edges. This prevents shifting or puckering as binding is attached.
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Select a point along one edge to begin sewing binding. Avoid starting at a corner to make finishing easier later on. The fold will be to your left as you stitch. Leave 4 inches of tail loose at the beginning point and stitch with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
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Stop stitching 1/4 inch from the first corner. Back stitch and pull the quilt out of the machine. Rotate the quilt a quarter turn and fold the binding up and away from you, forming a diagonal. Bring the binding back toward you and fold, leaving squared edges at the corner. Start stitching at the top edge, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance along the right edge, and continue until the next corner.
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Repeat at remaining corners.
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Stop stitching 6 inches from the starting point.
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Trim excess binding so beginning and ending tails overlap by about 2 inches. Encase the beginning tail inside the fold of the ending tail and stitch through all layers until 1 inch past the beginning point. Back stitch and remove the quilt from machine.
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Bring the folded edge of binding to the front side of the quilt so it covers the line of stitching left by attaching the binding.
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Use thread to match the binding and machine top stitch the binding. Secure the folded fabric at the corners with additional hand stitching. Trim all threads and the quilt is finished.
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Tips & Warnings
During the final step of top stitching, you can substitute clear nylon thread for an invisible finish.
Use top quality materials, especially for binding, to ensure your baby quilt will hold up to extra wear and tear.
References
- Qulter's Complete Guide; Marianne Fons and Liz Porter
- Quiltville: Quilt Binding Tips
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
