Listen up quilters - here's a tutorial that will make you one happy quilter!
No matter your skill level, today's tutorial is all about joining the ends of quilt binding using a super quick and easy method. It's guaranteed to take away any confusion, hassle, or headache that you've ever experienced in the past, and turn quilt binding into a pleasurable part of the quilting process.
There's no complicated measuring or confusing angles to deal with. Once you learn the process, it will become second nature, changing your quilting life forever!
Not only is joining binding ends in the written format below, but it can also be seen in action, with the video 'How to Join Quilt Binding Ends - Step by Step.'
How to Join Quilt Binding Ends
Start with a fold
Prepare binding strips, cutting 2.5" WOF strips and joining on the diagonal. Square off one end.
Fold back the squared off end 2.5" and pin to the side of the quilt. If using a narrower binding strip, 2.25" for example, fold back that measurement and pin.
Leave a 6" tail
Start stitching the binding to the quilt approximately 6" away from the fold.
Continue around the quilt. Tip: use the reducing bulky corners technique at each corner for flat, square corners.
Stitch to within 6" of fold
Stop stitching to within 6" of the fold. This gives another 6" tail at the end, which is 12" of working space to join the binding.
Cut the end binding at the fold
Lay the end binding along the quilt and on top of the folded beginning binding. Cut the end binding where it touches the fold. Tip: cut the end binding 1/8" short of the fold for a better fit along the quilt.
Open binding for joining
Open the end binding piece, laying it flat and right side up. Open the beginning binding piece, laying it on top of the other, right side down. Align the top and side edges.
Stitch on the diagonal
Join the ends by stitching on the diagonal from the upper corner to the lower corner of the piece underneath. Draw a diagonal line if necessary.
Check the fit
Before trimming excess, check the binding's fit against the quilt. If all was done correctly, it should lay smooth and straight on the quilt. Trim out the excess, and finger press the seam to one side, or open if preferred.
Finish stitching
Pin the binding in place, and stitch to finish, overlapping the stitching by 1". Avoid letting the machine push the binding to the beginning stitching spot, resulting in a wrinkle. Tip: use a walking foot if necessary.
Wasn't that easy? Such a super simple method - it certainly changed my quilting life and I hope it does for you too. Now all that's left is to turn it to the other side and either machine stitch or hand stitch the other side - your choice.
Happy Quilting!
Another great tutorial, Susan. I share these with my quilting customers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cynthia
Thank you - I do that too. Sometimes I sew it up too close and then it's really hard to make the twist. But this is life changing. The corner "flip" is also a life changer. Remember when we made "darts at the corners?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, I always struggle with getting the binding ends sewn together so will definitely try your way. Anything for and easier life!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this tutorial. Finishing the binding is my least favourite part of the quilt and I generally mess it up mostly because I don't leave myself enough wiggle room with the ends. I've bookmarked your tutorial to try on my next quilt!
ReplyDeleteYup! That's how you do it!
ReplyDeleteI just love that we can teach one another things online!
Thank you for the very clear tutorial. I'm always eager to find out about techniques that other quilters use.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a different “tweak” on how I do it too! The fold is maybe easier than getting out the ruler again, it all hinges on using the width of the binding. So cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tute and the link up on #TTot22!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan! Great step-by-step tutorial. I love seeing all the photos and seeing how other quilters do common practices like this. Thanks for linking up this week. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDelete