I first saw this binding on a customer’s quilt that was brought into the quilt shop where I work. You’ve seen it on my Little Acorns quilt. On that quilt, I wanted to see if it would be…
Hello! If you have popped over from the tutorial I did on Fussy Cut Binding or just wandered in, welcome! Let's talk about how to make your hand sewing invisible. I see many quilts that have the hand sewn side looking like this: There is certainly nothing wrong with that. It’s neat and tidy, and just fine. But, you cou
Purple Aurora Dream Big Digital Printed Panel Every once in a while, there comes a need for a quilt NOT to show a binding around the edge. For example, with these Dream Big digitally printed panels that are so popular these days, the design continues off the edge, so to speak, and a binding may interrupt that design. But the quilt edge still needs to be finished, just not visible from the front of the quilt. I recently finished quilting this quilt for my daughter, and used this invisible or "faced" binding technique. Here's how: First, determine how wide to cut your strips. I like my facing (I call them binding strips) to fit nice and tight, not loosey-goosey, so I cut my strips about* 1-1/2" wide x width of fabric. *NOTE: If the quilt is thin, I may cut the binding strips 1-1/4" to 1-3/8" wide. If it's a thicker quilt such as those with a minky back, thick batting, or if I am applying edge embellishments such as prairie points, scallops or ric-rac after the quilt is quilted, I cut the strips at about 1-5/8" to 1-3/4" wide. Measure each side length of the quilt, and add a couple of inches. If a measurement is longer than your width of fabric, you'll need to join the strips together with a 45-degree diagonal seam, as you would regular binding. Trim seam allowance to a scant 1/4" and press seams open to reduce bulk. TIP: use a shorter stitch length on these joining seams so the stitches don't pop. Cut 4 binding strips a couple of inches longer than the side measurements, then press strips lengthwise in half. Now you are ready to apply them to the quilt. 1) STITCH. Working on one side of the quilt at a time, align raw edges together and stitch binding strip to the quilt using a generous 1/4" seam allowance. 2) PRESS binding strip away from the quilt. 3) FOLD binding and quilt over at the seam line to the back of the quilt and PRESS again. The seam line should be aligned at the outside edge of the quilt with no binding visible from the front. On the back, the folded edge of the binding strip should just cover all the raw edges. If necessary, readjust the seam allowance. 4) HAND-STITCH the binding to the back of the quilt with matching thread, covering the raw edges. 5) TRIM binding strips even with the edges of the quilt. One side is complete. REPEAT Steps 1-5 to apply binding strip to the opposite side. Next, REPEAT Steps 1-3 to sew the binding strips to the remaining top and bottom sides of the quilt, leaving a tail at the beginning and ending of each side, about 3/4'' to 1'' longer than the quilt edge. Before stitching the binding down, FOLD the extra binding on the ends back even with the quilt edge and tuck under the facing to cover any remaining raw edges. Then, HAND-STITCH the binding to the quilt, using a whip-stitch at the corner edges to finish. Tie a knot and bury your thread. TIP: Sometimes on those corners, it may be necessary to "quilt by hammer", lol! I sometimes use my little girly hammer to get those corners compressed enough for the binding strip to easily fold over. The end result is a smooth-looking finish. Beautiful! For more "Bindings & Alternate Endings", visit my Tutorial Page. Or come attend one of my classes or workshops in the near future; see my full schedule HERE.
As promised in my last post, here is a tutorial on how I like to face a quilt. Facing a quilt is a way to bind your quilt without having the binding show on the front. It allows you to take the quilting all the way to the edge, can add a nice professional and more artful looking finish, (especially to a smaller quilt) and I also find quilts seem to hang better and flatter with this method. Please keep in mind that this is just one way to face a quilt, and that there are many different methods out there. A lot of quilters prefer to use methods that create mitered corners, and you can find loads of tutorials on how to do that with a goggle search. However, I am extremely direction challenged and found them a bit too confusing for me! The method that I use doesn't give you mitered corners, but who cares as they wouldn't show on the front anyway. And best of all it is simple, straight forward and super-duper easy, I promise! I broke this tutorial up into 17 steps, (all really simple so don't be intimidated) and lots of photos, as visually I learn best that way, and I am guessing you do, too! So, here we go.... Step 1: Begin with a quilt top that you have finished quilting. Make sure to square the corners and trim off any excess batting and backing fabric. Starting at the top and the bottom edges of your quilt, cut two strips of fabric each 2" wide and a wee bit longer then your top and bottom edges. (Note: For photo purposes, my quilt is turned on its side here). With your quilt facing right side up, pin each strip along the top and bottom, lining the edge of the fabric strip to the edge of the quilt, as seen in the photo above. (Note: I like to use solids, but if you are using a print for your facing strips you would want to sew the strip right side down). Step 2: Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew both strips in place and trim the excess fabric edges flush with the sides of the quilt, as shown in the photo above. Step 3: Flip the strips up and over to the side, as shown above. (If using a print the print would now be face up). Press with a hot iron. Step 4: Begin to fold the entire strip to the back of the quilt, as shown above. You almost have to roll the area that contains the seam allowance to get it to go backwards. As you are doing this, keep pressing with a hot iron, (I like to use a lot of steam, too). The photo above shows what the front will look like once that strip is turned and pressed all the way to the back. Here, the photo above shows how the edge of the quilt will look once the strip is folded back. And this photo above, shows what the back will look like. Very easy so far, yes?! Okay, lets continue.... Step 5: Now you are going to flip your quilt over to the backside, and unfold those strips that I just had you so carefully fold and press! Using your hot iron and some steam, begin to turn and press the edge of each facing strip inward a generous 1/4" as shown above. (Be careful to just press the edge of the facing strip, and not that quilted seam allowance, as we want to keep the "memory" of the pressed fold there for later). Step 6: Flip your quilt to the front and your facing strips, too, so they are now back to where you started. Pin in place so they lay nice and flat along the quilt top, as shown in the photo above. Step 7: Cut two more facing strips, again each 2" wide, but this time approximately 1" shorter then the length of your quilt. Step 8: Center each strip along the sides of your quilt leaving approximately 1/2" on the ends, as shown above. As before, pin both strips to the sides, lining up the edges of the strips to the edges of your quilt. Note: Once the new facing strips are pinned in place you can remove the pins from the first two strips. Step 9: Begin stitching at the edge of the quilt, and using a 1/4"seam allowance, continue to stitch the length of the strip and past, going all the way to the other edge of your quilt. See photo above. Step 10: Stitch each corner of your quilt. You will want to go right across that intersection, as shown above. This is to reinforce your corners for when they are turned. I like to stitch a line forward then another one backward, for extra strength. Step 11: Trim each corner off, flush with the line you just stitched, as shown above. Step 12: We are going to repeat a few steps here... As before in Step 3, flip the two strips that you just sewed over and away from the quilt and press. Then fold and roll the strips to the back as you did in Step 4 pressing as you go. Flip your quilt over to the back and unfold your facing strips as you did in Step 5 and press your generous 1/4" seam allowance along the edge of each facing strip. But now, unlike before, I want you to re-fold and re-roll these two strips back again to the back of your quilt. Steam press again to get everything nice and flat. The above photo shows what the front of your quilt should now look like. The facing strips along the top and the bottom of your quilt top are still visible on the front, and the side facing strips are turned and pressed neatly to the back. And the photo above shows what that those two newest strips should look like on the back side. Yup... lot's of little steps here, but they are oh, so easy! And we are almost finished! Step 13: Flip your quilt to the backside, and pin those two strips flat against the back of your quilt, as shown above. Step 14: Using nice small stitches, hand stitch each strip in place along the back of your quilt, as shown above, remembering to be careful not to stitch through to the front side. Step 15: We are in the home stretch now, baby! Using your forefinger and thumb, as shown above and below, push each corner right-side out. As you do this the two remaining facing strips on the front side of your quilt will naturally flip to the back of your quilt, where they belong. Continue to push each corner out with your thumb. I then like to use a wooded chopstick to push the corner as far out as possible. Step 16: Once the corners are all pushed out and the facing strips are on the backside of the quilt, re-press along the edges with a hot iron, making sure everything is nice and crisp and laying flat, as shown above. Step 17: As before in Steps 13 and 14, pin and hand stitch the two facing strips down to the back of your quilt, as shown in the photo above. Ta - da! That's it! You are all done! Above, is what the quilt looks like from the back. Folk Art Cross Quilt No.3 And here is what it looks like from the front. Told you it was easy! If you have any questions, ask them in the comment section and I'll do my best to answer them! xo You can view more of my Tutorials HERE and my Patterns HERE.
Hello! If you have popped over from the tutorial I did on Fussy Cut Binding or just wandered in, welcome! Let's talk about how to make your hand sewing invisible. I see many quilts that have the hand sewn side looking like this: There is certainly nothing wrong with that. It’s neat and tidy, and just fine. But, you cou
I hope that you enjoy snuggling with your quilt while hand-stitching a binding to your quilt - it's still one of my favorite parts of quilting.
How to bind a quilt by machine that looks near to invisible. How to use Gütermann invisible nylon thread to bind by machine. Free Pattern. Spring Blossoms for Mom lap quilt.
I first saw this binding on a customer’s quilt that was brought into the quilt shop where I work. You’ve seen it on my Little Acorns quilt. On that quilt, I wanted to see if it would be…
Every project requires you to assess what finishing techniques is best for that quilt. Single fold or double fold binding, … More
Hand sewing the binding on the quilt was the way my grandma taught me to do it, and is still my favorite method. I thoroughly love the slow pace and ge...
Hello! If you have popped over from the tutorial I did on Fussy Cut Binding or just wandered in, welcome! Let's talk about how to make your hand sewing invisible. I see many quilts that have the hand sewn side looking like this: There is certainly nothing wrong with that. It’s neat and tidy, and just fine. But, you cou
I hope that you enjoy snuggling with your quilt while hand-stitching a binding to your quilt - it's still one of my favorite parts of quilting.
Every project requires you to assess what finishing techniques is best for that quilt. Single fold or double fold binding, … More
I first saw this binding on a customer’s quilt that was brought into the quilt shop where I work. You’ve seen it on my Little Acorns quilt. On that quilt, I wanted to see if it would be…
Excellent Tutorials for Using Decorative Machine Stitches to Secure Bindings! The beautiful machine embroidery stitch used to secure the binding of a lovely quilt got us to thinking about bindings. The standard approach is to stitch them down by hand or machine, making the stitching as invisible as possible. Some quilters will stitch down a …
Hello quilters! I always love getting to that last phase of making a quilt - the binding. The majority of the time I hand stitch my binding down with an invisible stitch, but lately I have been getting out of my comfort zone. If you're looking for inspiration - today I am sharing five ways you can bind your quilts. I hope this gets your creative juices flowing! (Since typing this up I have decided that on my next quilt I might try a decorative machine stitch for the binding. Yes? No?) 1. Invisible Hand Sewn I like the clean look of this binding. It goes fairly quickly for me! I also like the meditative quality of this process. It gives me time to think, zone out or watch Gilmore Girls. 2. Machine Binding I am honestly not a fan of this because it usually shows on both sides. I have tried to stitch in the ditch, but it just doesn't look as clean to me. However, this is a great and VERY fast option if you are on a deadline! 3. Blanket Stitch This was a new one for me. I did this to finish my latest Sunroom Quilt. I really love the cozy little detail it adds. I used a very heavy weight thread. I also recommend going with a contrasting color so it really pops. You don't want to do all that work and not have it stand out! 4. Big Stitch I think this one is really playful! I used a solid fabric for the binding on this quilt and the big stitch really adds some interest. I love the pop of yellow! Again I would do a contrasting color so that your stitches stand out. Show it off! 5. Scrappy Binding I really hate wasting fabric and this one left me with a lot of leftovers. I used all the remaining scraps and pieced together a scrappy binding. It worked out really well since the front is so colorful! I used an invisible hand stitch. Let me know if you give any of these a try! Here are a few other blog posts you might enjoy: Beginner Guide to Quilting Chain Piecing Half Square Triangles Sewing with Triangles Sewing with Curves
Every project requires you to assess what finishing techniques is best for that quilt. Single fold or double fold binding, … More
Tips for Attaching the Binding by Machine, Too! Hand sewing the binding down is the last step and an enjoyable one for many quilters. It’s so satisfying to sit and stitch while knowing the quilt will soon be finished. If you’ve been struggling with hand sewing the binding, you’ll appreciate the great tips provided by …
Every project requires you to assess what finishing techniques is best for that quilt. Single fold or double fold binding, … More
Did you know there are many options to bind your quilt by machine? The blindstitch binding technique is simple and the stitches are nearly invisible. You’ll be amazed and wonder why you didn’t know about this sooner!
I hope that you enjoy snuggling with your quilt while hand-stitching a binding to your quilt - it's still one of my favorite parts of quilting.
As promised in my last post, here is a tutorial on how I like to face a quilt. Facing a quilt is a way to bind your quilt without having the binding show on the front. It allows you to take the quilting all the way to the edge, can add a nice professional and more artful looking finish, (especially to a smaller quilt) and I also find quilts seem to hang better and flatter with this method. Please keep in mind that this is just one way to face a quilt, and that there are many different methods out there. A lot of quilters prefer to use methods that create mitered corners, and you can find loads of tutorials on how to do that with a goggle search. However, I am extremely direction challenged and found them a bit too confusing for me! The method that I use doesn't give you mitered corners, but who cares as they wouldn't show on the front anyway. And best of all it is simple, straight forward and super-duper easy, I promise! I broke this tutorial up into 17 steps, (all really simple so don't be intimidated) and lots of photos, as visually I learn best that way, and I am guessing you do, too! So, here we go.... Step 1: Begin with a quilt top that you have finished quilting. Make sure to square the corners and trim off any excess batting and backing fabric. Starting at the top and the bottom edges of your quilt, cut two strips of fabric each 2" wide and a wee bit longer then your top and bottom edges. (Note: For photo purposes, my quilt is turned on its side here). With your quilt facing right side up, pin each strip along the top and bottom, lining the edge of the fabric strip to the edge of the quilt, as seen in the photo above. (Note: I like to use solids, but if you are using a print for your facing strips you would want to sew the strip right side down). Step 2: Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew both strips in place and trim the excess fabric edges flush with the sides of the quilt, as shown in the photo above. Step 3: Flip the strips up and over to the side, as shown above. (If using a print the print would now be face up). Press with a hot iron. Step 4: Begin to fold the entire strip to the back of the quilt, as shown above. You almost have to roll the area that contains the seam allowance to get it to go backwards. As you are doing this, keep pressing with a hot iron, (I like to use a lot of steam, too). The photo above shows what the front will look like once that strip is turned and pressed all the way to the back. Here, the photo above shows how the edge of the quilt will look once the strip is folded back. And this photo above, shows what the back will look like. Very easy so far, yes?! Okay, lets continue.... Step 5: Now you are going to flip your quilt over to the backside, and unfold those strips that I just had you so carefully fold and press! Using your hot iron and some steam, begin to turn and press the edge of each facing strip inward a generous 1/4" as shown above. (Be careful to just press the edge of the facing strip, and not that quilted seam allowance, as we want to keep the "memory" of the pressed fold there for later). Step 6: Flip your quilt to the front and your facing strips, too, so they are now back to where you started. Pin in place so they lay nice and flat along the quilt top, as shown in the photo above. Step 7: Cut two more facing strips, again each 2" wide, but this time approximately 1" shorter then the length of your quilt. Step 8: Center each strip along the sides of your quilt leaving approximately 1/2" on the ends, as shown above. As before, pin both strips to the sides, lining up the edges of the strips to the edges of your quilt. Note: Once the new facing strips are pinned in place you can remove the pins from the first two strips. Step 9: Begin stitching at the edge of the quilt, and using a 1/4"seam allowance, continue to stitch the length of the strip and past, going all the way to the other edge of your quilt. See photo above. Step 10: Stitch each corner of your quilt. You will want to go right across that intersection, as shown above. This is to reinforce your corners for when they are turned. I like to stitch a line forward then another one backward, for extra strength. Step 11: Trim each corner off, flush with the line you just stitched, as shown above. Step 12: We are going to repeat a few steps here... As before in Step 3, flip the two strips that you just sewed over and away from the quilt and press. Then fold and roll the strips to the back as you did in Step 4 pressing as you go. Flip your quilt over to the back and unfold your facing strips as you did in Step 5 and press your generous 1/4" seam allowance along the edge of each facing strip. But now, unlike before, I want you to re-fold and re-roll these two strips back again to the back of your quilt. Steam press again to get everything nice and flat. The above photo shows what the front of your quilt should now look like. The facing strips along the top and the bottom of your quilt top are still visible on the front, and the side facing strips are turned and pressed neatly to the back. And the photo above shows what that those two newest strips should look like on the back side. Yup... lot's of little steps here, but they are oh, so easy! And we are almost finished! Step 13: Flip your quilt to the backside, and pin those two strips flat against the back of your quilt, as shown above. Step 14: Using nice small stitches, hand stitch each strip in place along the back of your quilt, as shown above, remembering to be careful not to stitch through to the front side. Step 15: We are in the home stretch now, baby! Using your forefinger and thumb, as shown above and below, push each corner right-side out. As you do this the two remaining facing strips on the front side of your quilt will naturally flip to the back of your quilt, where they belong. Continue to push each corner out with your thumb. I then like to use a wooded chopstick to push the corner as far out as possible. Step 16: Once the corners are all pushed out and the facing strips are on the backside of the quilt, re-press along the edges with a hot iron, making sure everything is nice and crisp and laying flat, as shown above. Step 17: As before in Steps 13 and 14, pin and hand stitch the two facing strips down to the back of your quilt, as shown in the photo above. Ta - da! That's it! You are all done! Above, is what the quilt looks like from the back. Folk Art Cross Quilt No.3 And here is what it looks like from the front. Told you it was easy! If you have any questions, ask them in the comment section and I'll do my best to answer them! xo You can view more of my Tutorials HERE and my Patterns HERE.
Hello quilters! I always love getting to that last phase of making a quilt - the binding. The majority of the time I hand stitch my binding down with an invisible stitch, but lately I have been getting out of my comfort zone. If you're looking for inspiration - today I am sharing five ways you can bind your quilts. I hope this gets your creative juices flowing! (Since typing this up I have decided that on my next quilt I might try a decorative machine stitch for the binding. Yes? No?) 1. Invisible Hand Sewn I like the clean look of this binding. It goes fairly quickly for me! I also like the meditative quality of this process. It gives me time to think, zone out or watch Gilmore Girls. 2. Machine Binding I am honestly not a fan of this because it usually shows on both sides. I have tried to stitch in the ditch, but it just doesn't look as clean to me. However, this is a great and VERY fast option if you are on a deadline! 3. Blanket Stitch This was a new one for me. I did this to finish my latest Sunroom Quilt. I really love the cozy little detail it adds. I used a very heavy weight thread. I also recommend going with a contrasting color so it really pops. You don't want to do all that work and not have it stand out! 4. Big Stitch I think this one is really playful! I used a solid fabric for the binding on this quilt and the big stitch really adds some interest. I love the pop of yellow! Again I would do a contrasting color so that your stitches stand out. Show it off! 5. Scrappy Binding I really hate wasting fabric and this one left me with a lot of leftovers. I used all the remaining scraps and pieced together a scrappy binding. It worked out really well since the front is so colorful! I used an invisible hand stitch. Let me know if you give any of these a try! Here are a few other blog posts you might enjoy: Beginner Guide to Quilting Chain Piecing Half Square Triangles Sewing with Triangles Sewing with Curves
I hope that you enjoy snuggling with your quilt while hand-stitching a binding to your quilt - it's still one of my favorite parts of quilting.
Every project requires you to assess what finishing techniques is best for that quilt. Single fold or double fold binding, … More
How you finish the edges of your quilt can have a huge impact on the final look. There are various options, including adding borders and bindings. I usually go for an invisible finish for mine which I call a 'hidden binding'. Some people know it as facing. How to Make an Invisible Binding Trim t
Every project requires you to assess what finishing techniques is best for that quilt. Single fold or double fold binding, … More
Every project requires you to assess what finishing techniques is best for that quilt. Single fold or double fold binding, … More
See how to sew quilt binding: first, how to bind a quilt, and how to sew mitered corners. Make your quilt binding corners look beautiful - the easy way!
How you finish the edges of your quilt can have a huge impact on the final look. There are various options, including adding borders and bindings. I usually go for an invisible finish for mine which I call a 'hidden binding'. Some people know it as facing. How to Make an Invisible Binding Trim t
Learn how to slip stitch the right way! Quilt binding is frequently hand-stitched and this is how to make them disappear into the backing.
All you need to know is the perfect quilt binding, and you're set. Find the right one for each quilt type plus finishing techniques in this free guide.
Learn all about sewing binding on a quilt with our in-depth hands-on tutorial. We'll show you how to calculate binding, make binding for a quilt, and how to finish binding!
Love the look of beautiful quilt and blanket bindings or hand-sewn hems applied with nearly invisible stitches? Learn slip stitch to sew your own!
Hello quilters! I always love getting to that last phase of making a quilt - the binding. The majority of the time I hand stitch my binding down with an invisible stitch, but lately I have been getting out of my comfort zone. If you're looking for inspiration - today I am sharing five ways you can bind your quilts. I hope this gets your creative juices flowing! (Since typing this up I have decided that on my next quilt I might try a decorative machine stitch for the binding. Yes? No?) 1. Invisible Hand Sewn I like the clean look of this binding. It goes fairly quickly for me! I also like the meditative quality of this process. It gives me time to think, zone out or watch Gilmore Girls. 2. Machine Binding I am honestly not a fan of this because it usually shows on both sides. I have tried to stitch in the ditch, but it just doesn't look as clean to me. However, this is a great and VERY fast option if you are on a deadline! 3. Blanket Stitch This was a new one for me. I did this to finish my latest Sunroom Quilt. I really love the cozy little detail it adds. I used a very heavy weight thread. I also recommend going with a contrasting color so it really pops. You don't want to do all that work and not have it stand out! 4. Big Stitch I think this one is really playful! I used a solid fabric for the binding on this quilt and the big stitch really adds some interest. I love the pop of yellow! Again I would do a contrasting color so that your stitches stand out. Show it off! 5. Scrappy Binding I really hate wasting fabric and this one left me with a lot of leftovers. I used all the remaining scraps and pieced together a scrappy binding. It worked out really well since the front is so colorful! I used an invisible hand stitch. Let me know if you give any of these a try! Here are a few other blog posts you might enjoy: Beginner Guide to Quilting Chain Piecing Half Square Triangles Sewing with Triangles Sewing with Curves
TurningTurning has a nice tutorial on using ladder stitch for securing binding invisibly. This is pretty much what I did to secure my blue hexagon binding to the back of the quilt. I typically secured both my starting thread and knotting off of a thread with a quilter's knot, using the same process that is typically used during the quilting. Since you only prepped about ~15 blue hexagons in Step 3, when you run out of hexagons to secure, go back to Step 3 and do ~15 more!
