How to Install Binding When Sewing
Installing binding is a relatively simple way to conceal the rough edges on a sewing project. Use binding on the edge of a quilt or blanket or around the hems of a sleeve or neckline. Make your own bias binding by cutting strips of fabric on a diagonal. If you wish to use less fabric for the binding, you can cut it on a straight grain, too. Straight binding is slightly less sturdy than bias binding but is simpler to cut.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Scissors
- Iron and ironing board
- Fabric or sewing project, such as a quilt or shirt
- Straight pins
- Matching thread
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Cut a strip of fabric that is 2 inches wide. Cut either diagonally, on a bias or straight across the fabric. Make as many 2-inch-wide strips as you need to work all the way around your project.
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2
Lay the strips on top of each other, right sides facing in, and pin the short sides together, if needed. Sew the short sides together with a 1/2-inch seam to make one long strip.
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3
Unfold the long strip of fabric and iron the seams flat.
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4
Fold the binding strip in half lengthwise, so that it is 1-inch wide, and press to make a crease on the fold. The right side of the fabric should face out.
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5
Lay the binding fabric across the raw edge of your project, such as a quilt. Pin to the edge of the project.
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6
Miter the corners with the binding, if necessary. Mitered corners look a less bulky than if you simply wrap the binding around the corner. When you reach the corner, fold the binding strip to form an "L" shape, pressing a crease in the fold. Fold the strip back so that it covers the crease you just made and the strip goes along the next edge of the fabric. Continue pinning the strip to the edge of the fabric.
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7
Sew the binding to the edge of the fabric with a 1/4-inch seam.
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8
Fold the binding strip over the edge of your project, encasing the raw edges inside the binding. Pin the folded binding in place.
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9
Sew along the edge of the project again to hold the binding in place. Make sure you stitch through all the layers. You may find it easier to hand stitch the binding in place at this point instead of using a sewing machine.
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