How to Bind a Quilt From Front to Back

Use complementary colors in the border to add visual interest to the quilt.

The process of stitching the front and the back panels together with bias tape is called binding and is an important part of finishing a quilt. Properly bound, the raw edges of the quilt are completely encased within the tape like a page within a folder. This process prevents the batting from seeping out, forms a decorative boarder and protects the panel edges from fraying. You can bind quilts with a machine in a single pass as when hemming, however you can achieve a more polished finish by using the machine to complete the front side and finishing the back by hand.

Things You'll Need

• Quilt
• Bias tape
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• 90/45 degree triangle ruler
• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

Front

1. Place the rear quilt panel face down on a flat surface. Lay a sheet of batting on top. Trim the batting to the side of the panel. Lay the top panel on top of the batting right-side up. Sew a straight stitch along the entire border of the quilt 1/4 inches to 1/2 inches from the raw edge. This seam will hold the pieces together while you work.

2. Measure the perimeter of the quilt. Cut a length of bias tape 6 inches longer than the perimeter.

3. Lay the quilt so that the front panel is facing up.

4. Open the bias tape so that the central fold is flat but the raw edges are still folded towards the center.

5. Hold the right-side of the bias tape up and place it on the upper right corner of the quilt, going down the right side. Line up the raw edge of the quilt panels with the opened centerfold of the bias tape.

6. Pin the first 6 inches of the bias tape to the quilt so that there is a 3-inch tail above the corner and a 3-inch section of unsewn bias tape below the corner.

7. Sew along the inner edge of the bias tape starting where the pins end. Use a structurally sound stitch such as a straight stitch or zig-zag. Make sure that the unfolded side of the bias tape does not curl and get caught under the quilt. Stop 1 inch from the lower right corner.

8. Re-fold the bias tape so that the quilt's edge is enfolded like a paper in a folder. Line up the folded ends of the bias tape at the bottom of the quilt. Lay the straight edge horizontally along the bottom of the quilt, perpendicular to the bias tape.

9. Grip the bias tape below the corner and fold it up vertically so that it lays over the straight edge and overlaps the right border of the quilt. Slide the straight edge out and set it aside. There will be three layers of bias tape visible from the top of the quilt: the first sewn to the quilt and the other two forming a fold that opens to the left.

10. Place the 45 degree corner of a triangular ruler under the first layer of bias tape, on top of the already sewn edge and one loose layer of bias tape. Move the triangle to the corner of the fold so that one arm of the ruler is aligned horizontally with the bottom edge of the quilt.

11. Slide your finger into the bias tape and press down on the tip of the triangle to hold it in place.

12. With your other hand press grip the loose layer of bias tape and fold it down. This will spread the bias tape open and form a mitered corner. Pin the material in place.

13. Hand sew around the corner continuing where the machine left off and ending 1 inch past the mitered corner.

14. Turn the corner up so that you can see the underside of the quilt. Pin the underside of the bias tape in place so that it mimics the mitered corner on the front of the quilt. Use the triangular ruler to tuck the material if necessary.

15. Rotate the quilt and continue to fasten the bias tape to the remaining edges. Stop 1 inch before reaching each corner and repeat Steps 7 through 14 to miter the corners. Stop 1 inch before you reach the final corner.

16. Smooth the bias tape down so that it is perpendicular to the next edge, passing horizontally over the coming corner. Cut the tape 1/4 inch longer than the side of the quilt. Unpin the beginning of the bias tape, which is pinned to the quilt on the right side. Cut the beginning of the bias tape so that it is 1/4 inch past the corner.

17. Spread the bias tape open, open the right and left folds as well as the central fold. Fold over the raw edge of both bias tape tails 1/4 inch. Press to create a sharp crease. Fold the left and right winds of the bias tape back towards the central fold. Press if necessary.

18. Smooth the end of the bias tape over the corner. Tuck the edge of the bias tape against the quilt towards the center fold to create a 45 degree crease on the front of the quilt that mimics the other three corners -- the fold should cut from the center fold of the bias tape down to the folded edge on the front panel without affecting back panel. Press the material to sharpen the crease. Repeat the procedure to angle and press the beginning of the bias tape.

19. Lift the end and beginning of the bias tape away from the quilt. Line up the bias tape right-sides together so that the creases you made line up and point towards the outside of the quilt. Sew along this crease -- by hand or machine -- to attach the beginning to the end of the bias tape.

20. Smooth the corner of the bias tape down and pin the bias tape in place. Sew along the inner fold of the bias tape to secure the piece. There will be an empty square section above the corner diagonally.

Back

1. Flip over the quilt.

2. Start with the beginning of the bias tape. Tuck the end of the bias tape that is on top of the quilt towards the center fold of the bias tape to create a 45 degree angle in the corner that mimics the corner on the front side. Press to make a crease. Repeat with the end of the bias tape. Pin both ends in place on the quilt.

3. Fold the bias tape on the sides of the quilt so that the edge of the quilt is encased in the center fold. Smooth the tape against the back of the quilt and pin it every inch or two.

4. Miter and pin the corners. Pull up the material in the corner so that there is an upright wall of material around the corner. Place the triangular ruler against one side of the bias tape so that the tip of the 45 degree corner is directly on top of the corner of the quilt panel. Hold the bias tape to the ruler and slowly lay the ruler down to fold the bias tape and create a sharp 45 degree crease along one side. Remove the ruler and press this crease lightly. Fold the creased side of the bias tape down onto the quilt, this will create a mitered corner. Adjust the material by hand if necessary.

5. Hand sew the bias tape in place with a whip-stitch -- insert the needle up through the batting, back panel and bias tape, and then down into the quilt parallel to the origin point. Use thread that is the same color as the bias tape. Space stitches 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch apart along the sides of the bias tape and 1/16 inch or 1/8 inch apart on the corners. Secure the corners by back-stitching until you reach the point of origin. Ensure that your stitches never pass through the front panel.

References

• "Cut, Sew, Quilt As You Go"; Sheri Bignell; 2004
• "Whip Up Mini Quilts"; Kathreen Ricketson, et al.; 2010
• "Nancy's Favorite 101 Notions: Sew, Quilt and Embroider with Ease"; Nancy Zieman; 2010
• "Playful Quilts for Kids: Sew Colorful Interactive Fun!"; Carolyn Vosburg Hall; 2005