How to Attach Binding to the Corner of a Blanket
Binding the edges of a homemade quilt or favorite blanket results in a professional, finished-looking product. Though the binding process is not difficult, many novice quilters have difficulty with the corners of the blanket. It may take a few attempts to master a neat binding frame. Luckily, thread is inexpensive and easy to remove. Simply rip the seam out and try again until you achieve a perfectly mitered corner.
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Things You'll Need
- Blanket or quilt
- Strip of binding
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Thread
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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Start with a strip of binding with one raw edge and one finished edge. You may want to simply turn and press rather than stitch the finished edge for a neater binding. Starting in the middle of the bottom edge of your blanket, lay the raw edge of the binding along the side of your blanket, right sides together. Pin and stitch. Your seam allowance should equal the desired width of the finished binding.
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Continue to stitch until you are the same distance away from the corner edge of the blanket as the desired width of the binding. For instance, if you want an inch-wide binding, stitch until you are an inch from the corner, then backstitch and trim your thread.
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3
Fold the binding strip, wrong sides together, at a right angle leading away from the blanket. This will make an "L" shape. The raw edge of the binding should line up with the next side of the blanket but extend in the opposite direction. Now fold it back on itself, right sides together. The newly folded binding edge should line up with the side of the blanket you just stitched. The binding strip should now lie, wrong side up, along the next edge of the blanket, with a little triangle of excess fabric at the corner.
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Pin in place. Start your stitching at the same point you backstitched for the last edge. It should be the same distance from either edge as your desired binding width. For instance, if you want an inch-wide binding, begin stitching an inch from the edge you just sewed, maintaining an inch-wide seam allowance. Backstitch and continue along this edge until you reach the next corner, repeating Step 3 for each corner. Finish your binding in the middle of the bottom edge of your blanket.
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5
Fold your binding back, pressing at the seams. At the corners, you will need to "flip" the binding toward the back side of the blanket. If sewn correctly, you will now have a mitered corner on the front of the blanket.
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Turn the blanket over. The corners should have a "hood" where the binding will not lie flat. Press at the top point so that the finished edge of the binding lies diagonally across the corner of the blanket. Fold the sides of the binding in so that they meet at another mitered corner. Press in place.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. You can correct any imperfections by cutting the stitching and trying again.
Measure twice before cutting. You can always trim if your binding is too long, but you can't add length without creating another seam.
Use caution and supervise children when undertaking any sewing project, as some of the necessary equipment is sharp and can cause personal injury.
