Quilt binding can be constructed from a fabric that's already been used in the design, or with any other fabric that works with the layout. Sew strips together on the marked line, middle illustration. How to sew bias tape Technique 1: 1) Open the hem tape and tuck the raw edge of the fabric until it is flush with the fold. The grain in bias binding strips runs at an angle, so it moves at an angle from front to back after the binding is sewn to the quilt. Use short stitches through just the fold to make the seam almost invisible. You can cut quilt binding in three different ways: Cross grain strips are cut across the width of the fabric from selvage to selvage. Bias binding - this is where the binding strips are cut on the bias. Cut binding strips 1 1/4" wide. To attach the binding to the front of your quilt, determine which half of your binding strip is narrower. This tutorial is all about the steps to bind a mini quilt, like one of my Mini Jaybird Quilts. You could have done it all right from start to finish: getting straight cuts, squaring up each block, snipping every thread, and pressing every seam perfectly. For more information, download the illustrated tutorial. Half yard of quilt weight fabric (18’’ x 42’’). If you want to try this technique, here is what you need: Half yard of quilt … Cut long crosswise grain strips from wide backing fabric to reduce the number of seams or eliminate seams entirely. The extra width might make the binding extend a bit farther onto the quilt back when it's time to stitch it in place, but that's a much better scenario than not having quite enough to cover the seam used to secure it to the quilt sandwich. Crosswise grain isn't usually perfectly straight, so there's less risk that a split would damage an entire side — it would be more likely to travel a short distance and then stop when it butts into the quilt's front or back. Clip your binding in place along this entire edge. As a process, quilt binding is the act of sewing the binding tape to the quilt (which will be covered in a future post). Double fold tape is single-fold bias tape that has been folded again down the center, making a clamshell shape that can be used to trap seam allowances in the middle and sealing them tight It is also used to bind the edges of quilts … Turn your triangles so they look like those in the picture in step 3. Let’s make quilt binding! Add 20" or so to the total to determine how much binding you'll need to surround the quilt if you plan to use continuous strips and miter the corners. To add mitred corners on quilt binding, use a binding clip to hold the corner, fold the binding back down onto your quilt, aligning the raw edges along the next side. Consider choosing your binding fabric after a quilt top is assembled, because it's difficult to preview how a fabric will look until everything else is in place. Go on cutting till the end and you get this long strip of bias binding tape. The diagrams shown illustrate a 5⁄8-yard length of 42"-wide fabric. Shouldn't cost any more … We’re going to use a fusible tape that we’ll adhere to the bias. Fold the binding to the back side of the quilt. Leave the room for awhile and come back. Strip ends will overlap. But your binding might make all that hard work go unnoticed! Sometimes called French binding, double fold binding is made by folding a long strip of fabric lengthwise to create two layers. This technique is not always my first choice. Don't join strips with straight seams across their ends, because that method creates a binding with seam allowances that travel from the front of the quilt to the back in a straight line, resulting in too much bulk in one spot. Bias strips are cut diagonally across the fabric. Step 1 – Measure the quilt to determine how many inches of binding you need. The center crease should lie along the very edge of the quilt. In this tutorial, I made a twin-sized quilt, so I cut … … Add 10” or more to allow for mitering corners and joining ends. If your fabric piece is a different size, the folded fabric may look different, although the instructions will be the same. Madam Sew’s Bias Tape Maker Kit has everything you need to make your own quilt binding using your favorite fabric. It's made from the same quality fabrics they produce on the bolt. If a single thread becomes weakened and breaks, it could split the binding along one entire side of the quilt, traveling as far as the weakened thread travels. Once you have finished pinning, stitch-in-the-ditch to attach your binding to the quilt back. To quickly cut binding strips on the bias, start with a fabric square or rectangle. Prepare the Binding. Do you like the look? Fortunately, this quilt had plenty! Preview more fabrics until you're satisfied with the binding choice. From half yard of fabric I made 288’’ bias tape (8 yards), 2½’’ wide, enough for binding a 70’’ square quilt. As an object, quilt binding is the fabric that wraps around the outer edges of your quilt sandwich - the top, batting & backing together - and is attached after quilting to finish your quilt. The extra layer offers protection from wear. Single fold binding is made with a single layer of fabric that folds over the outer edge of a quilt. Place the top back down and pin. Learn how to make continuous bias binding strips from a simple tube of fabric. Some quilters also prefer bias cut binding for straight edged quilts. Join more strips until you have assembled the binding length required for your quilt. The Clean technique. Commercially-made Binding Tape. Allow 10″ extra for turning corners and the closure. Divide the total by 40” (safest usable fabric width, especially if pre-washed) to determine how many cross-cut (selvage-to-selvage) strips are needed to make the quilt binding. Add the two lengths together and multiply that figure by two. A split would affect a fairly small area of the quilt's edge, giving you more time to make repairs. Quilt binding is the fabric that's used to cover the outer edges of the quilt sandwich — the quilt top, batting, and backing — after the quilt is quilted. *Please note it is less durable and not recommended for quilts that will be used and washed often. Pin in place and continue working around the perimeter of the back, mitering the corners by folding. Secure with a. Place the binding on one side of your quilt close to the middle matching the raw edges of the binding and quilt together. Use the following method to assemble a binding strip with diagonal seam allowances that are distributed along the length of the finished binding. Mark the top strip on the diagonal, beginning and ending the line at the inward corner where the two strips intersect. *The mathematical formula for this is: Multiply the number of inches around the quilt (the perimeter) by the width of your bias binding strips. We use a basic fusible tape in ¾” width that’s designed to melt and adhere 2 fabrics together (such as HeatnBond Hem). If the quilt doesn't have borders, a binding sewn to edges with a 1/4" seam is the best choice, since that width matches the 1/4" seam allowance that's built-in to the edge of most quilt blocks. Make Long bias binding tapes from small and long fabric piece This method is a bit complicated and I much much much prefer the second method to make long binding tape. Extra binding width is very helpful when you use a high, Place two fabric strips right sides together, perpendicular to each other as shown, top left. Fold it in half lengthwise and press again if you are making a double fold strip. All those lines must be aligned, they should meet at the seam line. Step away. Nothing is worse than a wonky corner on your binding. Janet is the author of the Rodale book "Classic American Quilt Collection: Stars" and has contributed to dozens of other books and patterns as both a writer and editor. Sewing binding around a quilt's edges is one of the final steps in quiltmaking. The equation is: [ (height of quilt + width of quilt) x 2] + 10. It's the top binding choice of most quilters. Use a needle and thread to hand sew the front of the bias tape in place. The narrower half will be sewn to the front of your quilt, and the wider half will wrap around to the back and will cover the stitch line from the front. Binding can make or break your quilt. This technique also requires careful batting trimming and squaring of the quilt, and I found it easiest to pin the backing upon itself to keep it from getting nicked. Just a few days ago I received this comment on my original post: … Continue reading "Self-binding a Quilt Tutorial" Single fold binding is great for Mini Quilts and small projects. Folding (a, b) … Cut the number of required strips of binding, according to your pattern or calculations. The one on the left is cut off in the … There are two types: Precut and Packaged Binding Tape: This is … Start off by cutting your binding fabric into strips. Sometimes your quilt needs one color binding on the front and another on the back - this will take care of it for you! Make Continuous Crosswise Grain Quilt Binding Strips . Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. This is the size of the square you need to cut for bias binding. Whether you make your own binding or hem tape, or purchase it, these 2 techniques will work. I cut my binding strips 2-1/2 inches wide. If you want to use a solid fabric embellished with stitching, like me. Self-Binding Quilt Tutorial Self Binding means: Bring the quilt backing to the front and using it as your binding, I am bring this over from The Quilt Ladies, this post is used and asked for all the time, Thank you for that. Lengthwise grain binding strips have threads that tend to run fairly straight along their length, where they run parallel to the edges of the quilt. Good for wall quilts. Fold the binding over and then fold again to create a hem. Lay your fabric on a flat surface. Trim off the little triangular nubs that are at the ends of the seam allowance — they extend past the sides of the strip. Press the strip. Pin the front of the bias tape in place all the way around the quilt. The calculator provides: The total length of the binding (the perimeter of the quilt). Bias binding is somewhat stretchy, making it a good choice for quilts with tight curves and deep angles on their perimeter. Sewing with a wider seam will chop off important design elements. Lengthwise strips are cut along the length of the fabric, parallel to the selvages. Your binding doesn't have to be made from one fabric. What Is Quilt Binding and How Is it Made? Start cutting the bias tape strips from one end (the extended not stitched end). Add a bit of extra insurance width to the formula. Press your fabric to remove any wrinkles or folds. On the back side, use the blind-stitch to hand stitch the binding in place along the remaining crease, stitching directly over the machine stitching line. She has published over 350+ articles for The Spruce Crafts. Place your blocks or finished quilt top on a design wall or another flat surface and tack strips of potential binding fabrics alongside. This fusible tapewill later allow us to adhere and stabilize our binding strips to our quilt, making the binding easy to sew. When you make your own, make sure that one of the folds is just a bit longer than the other side. Wrap the bias tape over the edge of the quilt to the front side and press with an iron. Avoid most bindings that are sold as notions in fabric stores, because they aren't durable enough to use in a quilt. Measure your quilt along its top and along one side. 2 times the finished binding width + 2 times the seam allowance — plus a little extra, 2 times the finished binding width + Seam allowance X 2. Instructions to Double Fold Bind a Quilt. Do you still like the quilt's appearance? This means the straight sewing line … Two-Tone Quilt Binding: An Instructable for people who already know how to put a binding on a quilt, but want to mix it up a bit. Binding keeps the edges intact and can add another element to the quilt's design. Crosswise grain binding strips are also stretchy enough to wind around large curves on a quilt's exterior. Your email address will not be published. Refer to chart to find the size square needed. Using the strip width determined earlier, ​cut strips from selvage to selvage until you've cut enough fabric to surpass the required length. If the quilt has borders, it's just as simple to use a binding that's wider or narrower than 1/4", since it doesn't make too much difference how far inward the seam to attach binding is sewn. Binding can be made from a single layer of fabric, but two layers (called double-fold binding) are much more durable.Â. Trim away the excess fabric, leaving about a 1/4" seam allowance to the right of the seam line. Delightful theme by Restored 316. the new shape MUST be a parallelogram (the bias edges must be parallel). Precut & packaged bias binding tape: Black double fold (l), White single fold (r) Commercially made binding can be a great time saver, if you choose the right one. Cutting strips. Reserve it for miniatures or wall hangings — single fold binding is not durable enough for quilts that will be used on a bed. That scenario is most likely to be a problem for quilts that are used and laundered often; both actions that allow the raw edges underneath the binding to rub against the binding in an abrasive way. Hangings — single fold binding is made by folding be the same just the fold make... Quilt 's edge, giving you more time to make 1/4 '' double binding. ) x 2 ] + 10 from a single layer of fabric that over! But two layers ( called double-fold binding ) are much more durable. sure that of! Any more … binding can make or break your quilt curves on a quilt 's edge giving! English paper piecing with an iron center crease should lie along the edge! And easy-to-follow Crafts to help you Spruce up your space wind around large curves on a design wall or flat... Of that answer and add two inches your favorite fabric cutting your binding to the quilt exterior! On one side how to make binding tape for a quilt your quilt cut strips from selvage to selvage until you 're satisfied with the binding to! Be parallel ) matching the raw edges of the square you need to cut for bias by. If you are making a double fold binding is great for Mini quilts small. Bias edges must be aligned, they should meet at the inward corner where the two strips intersect for..., double fold strip on a design wall or another flat surface and strips. Matching the raw edges aligned pinning, stitch-in-the-ditch to attach your binding to the quilt 's edge, giving more! Insurance width to the selvages selvage to selvage until you 've cut enough to! Of that answer and add two inches on one side of your quilt needs one color binding on one of... Wrinkles or folds it made or more to allow for mitering corners and the.... Two lengths together and multiply that figure by two add up the sides... Add up the four sides ) to determine how much binding is great for quilts... Number of seams or eliminate seams entirely called French binding, double binding... Again if you are making a double fold bias binding for straight edged quilts allowance — they extend the... Go on cutting till the end and you get this long strip of binding. Project ideas and easy-to-follow Crafts to help you Spruce up your space your blocks or quilt! Fabric ( 18’’ x 42’’ ) binding around a quilt 's edge, you... This tutorial will teach you how to make your own, make sure that one of the on! Insurance width to the back, mitering the corners by folding a strip. The excess fabric, parallel to the selvages a needle and thread to hand sew the front of the back... Lengthwise strips are a good choice for quilts with tight curves and deep on! Binding strips are cut along the very edge of the quilt curves and angles. For Mini quilts and small projects wall hangings — single fold binding is great for Mini quilts small... Into strips deep angles on their perimeter your space cut … good for wall.. It for miniatures or wall hangings — single fold binding is somewhat stretchy, making it a choice... The way around the quilt through just the fold to make your quilt... Cutting your binding to the right of the quilt more strips until you 've cut enough fabric to surpass required! €” single fold binding is somewhat stretchy, making it a good choice for most quilts tutorial, I a. And quilt together clip your binding in place and continue working around the )! Teach you how to make repairs from wide backing fabric to surpass the required length you want use... When you make your own, make sure that one of the quilt design. Turn your triangles so they look like those in the picture in step 3 square root of that answer add. More durable. published over 350+ articles for the Spruce Crafts how to make binding tape for a quilt be made from a tube! Also stretchy enough to use in a quilt 's edge, giving you more time to make bias! Of binding you need to make your own quilt binding calculator provides: the length... A fairly small area of the fabric, leaving about a 1/4 double! The very edge of the binding ( the perimeter of the seam allowance — extend! More strips until you have assembled the binding to the quilt measure your quilt working. Grain binding strips from selvage to selvage until you 've cut enough to! Strips of potential binding fabrics alongside design elements down on your binding does n't have be. Right side down on your binding might make all that hard work go!! Edge of the binding length required for your quilt to make repairs illustrate a 5⁄8-yard of. Enough for quilts that will be used on a design wall or another flat surface and strips. Pin the front of the binding easy to sew sew the front of the strip width determined earlier ​cut... Half lengthwise, so the selvedges meet like to create a hem go unnoticed folding long... Finished binding is worse than a wonky corner on your binding to the selvages curves deep. The folded fabric may look different, although the instructions will be used on a.... Another element to the bias tape in place all the way around the perimeter of the bias, start a! The final steps in quiltmaking lengths together and multiply that figure by two 350+ articles for the Spruce.. ’ re going to use in a quilt 's exterior that are sold as notions in fabric,. Need to cut hexagon templates for English paper piecing assemble binding with as different. All the way around the quilt working around the perimeter of the quilt ’ s bias tape in place this. Pin in place along this entire edge those in the picture in step 3 top choice..., although the instructions will be the same quality fabrics they produce the... Eliminate seams how to make binding tape for a quilt Kit has everything you need to cut for bias binding is not durable enough use. And easy way to cut hexagon templates for English paper piecing fabric lengthwise to two. Your favorite fabric to be made from one fabric of quilt ) is quilt binding using your favorite fabric you... Binding strips to our quilt, making the binding easy to sew enough for quilts that will be on... Lines must be aligned, they should meet at the seam almost invisible tapewill... Cut enough fabric to surpass the required length hard work go unnoticed double-foldÂ. It in half lengthwise and press again if you are making a double fold binding is somewhat,. You have finished pinning, stitch-in-the-ditch to attach your binding in place and continue working the... Later allow us to adhere and stabilize our binding strips are also enough... Over and then fold again to create two layers it 's the top strip on the back - this take! You make your own quilt binding and quilt together on their perimeter fabrics until you 've cut enough to! Use a fusible tape that we ’ re going to use in a quilt prefer bias cut strips. Aligned, they should meet at the seam line to find the size of the in... You Spruce up your space strips on the marked line, middle illustration to find the size square needed it... Tape Maker Kit has everything you need to cut hexagon templates for English paper.... Front side and press with an iron half yard of quilt ) x 2 ] + 10 binding of. Sometimes your quilt front with raw edges aligned ​cut strips from a simple tube of fabric that over! To be made from the same over 350+ articles for the Spruce Crafts wonky corner on your quilt one. At the ends of the seam almost invisible choice for most quilts quilters... She has published over 350+ articles for the Spruce Crafts edges of the quilt 's edges is one manufacturer! 'S edge, giving you more time to make your own, make sure that one the! Jaybird quilts is worse than a wonky corner on your quilt along its top and along one side of binding. Stretchy enough to use a solid fabric embellished with stitching, like me grain binding strips are also stretchy to... That sells bias binding is made by folding a long strip of bias binding by the yard from... For most quilts tube of fabric, parallel to the back - this will take care of for... The fold to make repairs bias cut binding for straight edged quilts to.! For most quilts that folds over the outer edge of the bias tape the! All those lines must be a parallelogram ( the perimeter of the back of. Of quilt + width of quilt ) ) are much more durable. of extra insurance width to the back of. By Restored 316. the new shape must be a parallelogram ( the perimeter of the,. To attach your binding does n't have to be made from one fabric for bias binding the! Mini quilt, like me starting and … Let ’ s bias tape in place all the way around quilt. Use a needle and thread to hand sew the front and another on the bias tape place. The marked line, middle illustration you more time to make repairs paper piecing down, starting …! Cut strips from selvage to selvage until you have assembled the binding choice for your close. Manufacturer that sells bias binding by the yard line, middle illustration n't cost more! The following method to assemble a binding strip with diagonal seam allowances that are distributed the! Easy way to cut for bias binding for straight edged quilts down, starting and … Let s! Is: [ ( height of quilt weight fabric ( 18’’ x 42’’ ) measure your quilt also prefer cut!