Binding a quilted table runner: An angled approach

Yesterday I showed you how to piece together the fabrics dyed with the Rit Indigo Shibori Tie Dye Kit to make a table runner.

Now that the quilting is finished, itʼs time to sew on the binding. Here’s my favorite way to sew on binding, but feel free to use your own method if you wish. For my method, you’ll need 3 – 3″ x WOF (Width of Fabric) strips of outer border fabric. This width of strip will give you a ½” finished-size binding.

• Trim excess batting and binding from the quilt top.
• Cut the ends of all strips at a 45° or 60° angle.

Cut ends of binding strips at a 45° or 60° angle.

• Sew the 3″ binding strips together, end to end, to make one strip long enough to go all around the quilt.
• Press seams open. Fold the strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Press.
• Press under ¼” on one angled end of the binding.
• Lay the binding on top of the quilt so the folded cut edge is approximately at the center of one side. Align the cut edge of the binding with the edge of the quilt.
• Starting about 10″ from the corner and using a scant ½” seam allowance, start sewing the binding. Stop sewing ½” from the edge of the quilt and backstitch to secure.

TIP Use a walking foot or even-feed foot.

Start sewing the binding on one side of the quilt.

• Fold binding up and then back down on itself to create a mitered corner.

Fold binding to create a mitered corner.

• Sew from the edge of the quilt toward the next corner. Stop sewing ½” from the corner and backstitch to secure.
• Continue sewing the binding on the remaining sides in the same way. When you come to the last side, sew for a few inches, and then stop.
• Tuck the unfolded end of the binding inside the folded end.
• Adjust the binding so it fits along the edge of the quilt. Trim off excess binding. Finish sewing the binding.
• Fold the binding over to the back and hand-stitch in place. At each corner, fold the binding to create a 45° mitered corner. This can be stitched down or not, as desired.

Finished table runner showcasing Shibori style dyed fabrics

I hope you enjoyed learning about Shibori dyeing with the Rit Indigo Shibori Tie Dye Kit. I’m now planning to use more of the beautiful dyes from the Rit dye collection to create even more unique fabrics for some upcoming quilt projects. There are dozens of colors available and the possibilities are endless!

Just a few of the many Rit dye colors available

Special thanks to Kingston, Ontario fibre artist, Bethany Garner, for her wonderful Indigo Dyeing Workshop, which was the inspiration for this week’s blog using Rit Dyes.

This is part 5 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 4: Squares make a great looking table runner: Make your own design

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