How to Machine Bind a Quilt

As the last step of the quilt making process, the binding is what finishes off the quilt and keeps all rough edges from being seen. A good binding can withstand being pulled, dragged and even washed without starting to give out. There are bindings available in most craft stores, or you can create your own from any 100 percent cotton fabric you choose. Binding can represent a final frame of the quilt or be a continuation of a background color found in the quilt itself. A quilt's binding says just as much about the quilt as the patterns and colors do.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Finished quilt (either quilted or tied with backing and batting)
• Sewing machine
• Walking foot
• Binding

Prepare the Quilt and the Binding

1. Square up your quilt by cutting the edges clean all around through all three layers.

2. Attach your walking foot to your sewing machine. If you don't have a walking foot you can still sew on the binding but you may end up with puckers under the binding.

3. Use store bought binding or create your own by sewing together 2-inch strips and pressing them folded lengthwise to create a 1-inch "double" binding with right sides facing out.

Attaching the Binding

4. Place the edges of your binding against the edges of your quilt. Use pins to secure the binding in place as you sew.

5. Start sewing 2 inches away from the beginning of the binding to leave room for finishing the binding. Continue binding all the way around the quilt with a 1/4-inch seam.

6. Tuck the tail of the binding under your beginning 2 inches and sew over the seam. Backstitch to secure the stitching.

7. Turn the loose rounded edge of the binding to the back of the quilt, pin it in place and sew it down either by hand or with your sewing machine.

Tips & Warnings

• There are several different ways to conquer the corners. A mitered corner is fairly easy and gives a clean professional look. If you don't want to use pins to hold the binding to the back try a set of non-decorative hair clips that snap against itself without having to pierce the fabrics.

Resources

• How to miter binding corners