Binding a Quilt With a Border

Bias tape creates a less obtrusive, narrower border.

Binding a quilt with a border is really no different than binding a traditional quilt. It is simply a matter of placing the binding around the outside of the border or using the border to bind the quilt, as opposed to around the quilt itself. Quilts can be bound with bias tape, blanket binding or fabric. A final option for binding bordered quilts is to place a trim like rick rack between the open edges of the quilt.

Binding With Bias Tape

Bias tape creates a narrow, unobtrusive border that can blend in with the border fabric or complement it with a contrasting color. Bias tape is a narrow strip of fabric that has been cut on the bias of the fabric to allow the fabric to stretch. It is then folded and pressed to keep the raw edges of the fabric folded to the inside and allow it to be folded over the edge of the blanket. The stretch of bias tape allows it to be stretched around the corners of the blanket.

The challenge of using bias tape, or any other means of blanket binding, is to be careful that both edge of the bias tape are being stitched at the same time to prevent any openings in the edge of the blanket.

Binding With Blanket Binding

Blanket binding is similar to bias tape in that it wraps around the edge of the quilt to cover the raw edges. Blanket binding is essentially a very wide ribbon with finished edges that will not fray. However, any areas where the binding is cut will fray very easily and must be turned under and stitched with a zigzag stitch or serger.

Blanket binding is usually soft and silky with some shine to the material, making it ideal for items such as baby blankets that are often placed against sensitive skin. Blanket binding does not stretch, which means it must be cut for each edge of the blanket. It can be finished with square corners, angled corners or mitered corners.

Binding With the Border

If the border has not been created yet, the fabric can be cut on a fold and used similarly to blanket binding. The quilt is finished with enough quilt batting outside of the quilt top and bottom to fill the border. The cut edges of the fabric are pressed to the inside and the border is wrapped over the quilt batting and top stitched into place. It is then quilted in a similar manner to the quilt itself.

Binding with Trim

When trim is used to finish a quilt, the edges of the quilt are pressed to the inside of the quilt and the trim is placed between them. The layers are then top stitched together to bind the quilt edge together and hide the batting inside the quilt.