Blanket Binding Tutorial

Blanket binding makes a homemade blanket both comfortable and professional looking.

Blanket binding is the finishing touch that makes a homemade blanket or quilt look well-sewn. Although it is fairly easy to apply blanket binding, it is very important that you carefully pin the binding in place before you sew it and that you miter the corners for a truly professional look. Blanket binding comes in satin or cotton. The binding edges may be folded and pressed to form a hem or have a woven finish so they will not fray.

Things You'll Need

• Blanket
• Blanket binding
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Instructions

1. Measure the outside edges of your blanket to determine how much binding you need. Sew strips of binding together to create a single piece at least 6 inches longer than the distance around your blanket. When sewing the strips, stitch the ends along a diagonal line, right sides together, then trim the excess fabric.

2. Fold the blanket binding over the edges of the blanket beginning at the center of one side. Place the binding so the blanket fits exactly into the center of the binding strip. Pin the binding in place. Pin close to the finished or folded edge of the binding, depending on the type of binding you are using. Check both sides of the blanket to make sure the binding is centered properly and the pin catches both edges evenly. Place your pins 2 to 3 inches apart.

3. Pinch the corners of the binding away from the blanket so that you create a 45-degree angle with the binding that cuts across the center of each corner. Pin both sides of the pinched binding to hold it in place against the blanket.

4. Set the zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine and machine stitch the binding to the blanket. Stop 1 inch away from each corner and backstitch to secure the stitching. Resume sewing 1 inch away from the other side of the corner.

5. Remove all pins.

6. Tuck the pinched corners of the binding so that one side is tucked under the other and there is a fold in the binding at the 45-degree line at each corner. Pin the tucked binding in place.

7. Hand stitch the corners of the binding down with a slip stitch.

8. Trim all loose threads.

Tips & Warnings

• Most packaged blanket binding come in lengths of 4 or more yards and either 1 or 2 inches in depth. The width you choose depends on your own personal preference.

• Choose a binding that compliments the colors in your blanket.

References

• Wrights: Applying Blanket Binding
• Flannels4Baby.com: How to Apply Satin Blanket Binding
• Learning to Quilt: Making/Adding Binding

Resources

• CraftStylish: How To Make Mitered Corners for Bindings