How to Finish a Double-Faced Quilt Panel

A binding tape border helps distinguish each panel in the quilt.

Double-faced quilt panels are assembled together to create a beautiful bedspread or wall hanging that looks great on both sides. Rather than a regular lining backing, these quilts are made from panels comprised of two layers of quilting squares with a layer of cotton batting or polyester filling in between. These individual panels can be finished with simple, turned-in and sewn edges, or you can finish each panel with a decorative binding border.

Things You'll Need

• Quilt panels (two for each panel)
• Cotton batting
• Straight pins
• Sewing needle (sewing machine optional)
• Thread
• Quilt binding tape

Instructions

Turned-in Edges

1. Lay one of the panel pieces face down on a clean, flat surface. Lay the middle layer of cotton batting on top. The middle layer of cotton batting should be one-half-inch smaller than the fabric panels. Center the cotton batting on the bottom layer to expose one-fourth of an inch of the panel fabric on each side.

2. Place the second panel piece face up on top. You now have the three layers of the panel together.

3. Turn one-fourth of an inch of fabric inward on the side directly in front of you. Turn both the top and bottom panel pieces inward together. Insert straight pins to keep the folds in place. Repeat the process for each side of the panel.

4. Sew along each folded edge with a slip stitch or running stitch.

5. Remove the pins and admire your finished panel.

Quilt Binding Edges

1. Place one panel piece face down on your work surface. Place the layer of cotton batting on top. The cotton batting layer should be the same size as the panel pieces. Lay the final fabric panel piece on top. Insert straight pins to prevent the layers from shifting.

2. Measure the length and width of the layered panel. Cut two pieces of binding tape to the length of the panel and two pieces to the width. Cut each end of the binding tape on a 45-degree angle. When the tape is attached to the panel, the angled corners will line up perfectly, rather than overlapping.

3. Slide one side of the panel in between the layers of one piece of tape. Pin the tape to the panel.

4. Rotate the panel and slide another side in between the layers of another piece of tape. Align the angled corners and pin the tape to the panel. Repeat the process for the remaining two sides of the panel.

5. Sew a running stitch through all layers of the binding tape and the panel to attach the tape. Remove the pins to complete the binding-edged quilt panel.

Tips & Warnings

• Binding tape comes in single- and double-fold options. Single-fold binding tape has unfinished edges for a more rustic-looking finish. The edges of the double-fold binding tape have been folded an additional time to hide the unfinished edges and present a smooth, finished edge.

• If you are worried you may cut the binding tape too short, you can cut it longer than necessary and trim it to fit on the quilt panel.

References

• Make Your First Quilt with M'Liss Rae Ha: Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide 9 Fabulous Blocks Tips & Techniques; M'Liss Rae Hawley
• Beginner-Friendly Quilts; Leisure Arts

Resources

• Fiber Images: Hand Sewing Stitches