No Show Binding

Updated January 2021

Ready for another binding method? This time it's No Show binding, 

for those quilts that would look better if the design went off the edge and no binding to stop the view. Modern quilts, art quilts, landscape quilts, etc are candidates for this method. First used on Seed Mix,

which provided all of the demo shots for this technique, the no-show binding makes it appear that the quilting lines don't stop just because the quilt does.

There are many instructions out there for this binding method, and I chose to combine bits and pieces to do what works for me, and for this quilt. Feel free to follow along, or change it up to suit you.

For this binding, I cut 2" wide strips, WOF, and pressed over a 1/2" on one side. Wider strips, or even a strip pressed in the middle can be used, it's up to you.

Cut strips to the length of the sides of the quilt, minus 1". Place the strips on the front of the quilt, with the fold up, leaving 1/2" space on each end (eliminates bulk). Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance from the edge. 

Press the binding away from the front, and stitch again within the seam allowance, close to the edge of the quilt.

Press the binding to the back making sure that the seam is turned towards the back at the edge. Hand stitch the binding to the backing along the fold.

Once stitched, complete the other two bindings in the same manner with one change. Cut 2" wide strips, 3" longer than needed for those edges. Press a 1/2" fold on one side. 

The corners need the batting trimmed out between the binding stitching, approximately 1/4" to 3/8" square. This eliminates bulk and allows the corners to fold over. Trim out now or after stitching the next binding edge (see instructions below).

Pin the binding onto the front of the quilt for stitching as before, but turn 1 1/2" at the ends around the edge to the back of the quilt. Stitch a 1/4" seam through all layers.

Flip the corners right side out, trimming a square of excess fabric/batting out of the corner if not done previously. Press the binding away from the quilt front, and away from the back at the corners.

Stitch again in the seam allowance, close to the quilt edge, through all layers plus the folded over corner binding. 

Press the binding to the back, with the seam showing towards the back, tucking the corner pieces into place under the binding. Pin in place, and hand stitch the corner closed on the quilt edge, then continue along the fold of the binding.

Once finished, the quilt has a beautiful edge, both front and back, with no interruptions to the design on the front.

Give it a try on your next special quilt!

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