Options for Binding Quilts
The last step in creating a quilt is attaching a binding, which serves as a way to close the layers of the pattern on the edges to prevent the quilt from coming apart. You have several options for binding quilts. Almost all of them require that binding strips be created first from the preferred edging material.
Other People Are Reading
-
Traditional
-
Traditional binding is the application of binding strips or a continuous binding strip to the edges of the quilt. The material used is typically flat and complementary to the design of the quilt. The binding is cut to be twice the width of the border desired on the quilt. One edge is sewn down to one face of the quilt with half the material extending past the edge. The material is then folded over to enclose the edge to make an equal width border on the reverse of the quilt and sewn down. The binding strips can also be cut to double the width and folded in half once before being attached to create a thicker border.
Bindless
-
With bindless edging, the layers of the quilt (face, batting, back) are not sewn together until the entire face is finished. The batting is cut slightly smaller than the face and back so the edges of the face and back can be folded under, and all three layers are then sewn together, which creates a finished edge to the quilt that does not expose the batting within.
-
Self Binding
-
Self-binding quilts get their name from using the backing as the binding material. The backing is cut 4 inches wider than the face of the quilt. The batting and face are placed on the backing and sewn down. The backing is then folded back onto itself to create an inch wide border that is sewn down on the back side. The remainder of the material is folded again and then over the raw edge of the quilt to create a border on the front side and sewn down.
Ruffled Binding
-
Ruffled binding uses strips from material that has an edge ruffle and flat edge as well. The edges of the back and front of the quilt are turned under and pinned. The batting is cut slightly shorter than the pinned edge of the two pieces. The flat side of the ruffle is inserted between the layers of the quilt so the beginning of the ruffle is flat against the folded edge of the front and back before sewing all the pieces together.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
