How to Sew Perfectly Square Mitered Corners for Quilts, Placemats and Other Bound Projects

Whether it is a placemat, a blanket or a quilt, we always want perfectly square mitered corners when binding the edges of our projects.

By following a few simple steps, this method will give you perfectly mitered corners every time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Project to be bound
• Binding of your choice
• Pins
• Thread
• Sewing machine

1. 

   Begin stitching the binding on any edge of your project using your preferred seam allowance. In my example, I am using purchased double fold binding and using a 3/8-inch seam allowance.

2. 

   Stitch to within 3/8 of an inch from the bottom edge. If you are using a ¼-inch seam allowance, stitch to within ¼ inch of the edge. For ½-inch seam allowance, stitch to within ½ inch, etc. Tack the stitching with one or two backstitches

3. 

   Turn project a quarter turn counterclockwise and lay it on a flat surface.

4. 

   Fold unstitched binding to the top of the project extending beyond the top. The right edge of the binding will continue the line of the right edge of your project. The binding that is already stitched will continue to lay against the project and it will create a diagonal fold from the corner. See photo

5. 

   Keeping the stitched end of the binding folded toward the top, fold the remaining binding down, at the top edge of the project, matching the right edge of the binding to the right edge of your project. The diagonal fold will remain, but it will be covered by the turned-down binding. See photo

6. 

   Begin stitching at the top edge of the project with a 3/8-inch seam allowance and stitch to within 3/8 inch of the bottom edge.
   
   Repeat steps 3 through 6 until the binding is stitched to the entire project.

7. 

   Fold binding to wrong side of project.

8. 

   The binding will easily fold in at the corners to give a perfect miter on both front and back.

9. 

   Perfectly mitered corner.