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Change up the way you make your quilt binding

by Jean Boyd

In yesterday’s post, I finished the quilt top by adding rickrack to embellish it. Today we’ll look at an interesting way to make the binding.

The finished size of the quilt is 38″ x 48″. It’s sized so that you just need one width of fabric 54″ long [1.4m]. You could also use the leftover Cosmic Fusion fabric to make a pieced backing.

Layer backing fabric, batting and quilt top, making sure to center the quilt top on the backing.

Baste the layers together. Quilt as desired.

Trim excess backing and batting to square-up the quilt top.

For the binding I decided to use the leftover dark blue and green fabrics. I like to use a ½” finished-size binding, so I cut strips 3″ wide x WOF (width of fabric). I cut enough strips so they would go all around the quilt with about 8″ extra.

Here’s how you can make this binding too.

Cut the ends of all binding strips on 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.

Cut all binding strips like this, using a 45 or 60 degree angle.

Cut all binding strips like this, using a 45 or 60 degree angle.

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 on the binding using a scant ½" seam allowance.

Start sewing on the binding using a scant ½” seam allowance.

Fold binding up and then back down on itself to create a mitered corner. Sew from the edge of the quilt toward the next corner. Stop sewing ½” from the corner and back stitch to secure. Continue sewing the binding on the remaining sides in the same way.

Sewing binding on the first corner

Sewing binding on the first corner

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 binding.

Finishing the binding

Finishing 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.

Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you how this modern baby quilt will look using the other colorways from the Northcott Cosmic Fusion fabric collection.

This is part 4 of 5 in this series.
Go back to part 3:  How to sew rickrack to your quilt like an expert

Go to part 5: Colorway variations of the Modern Baby Quilt

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6 comments

Patricia Wright July 22, 2022 - 8:10 pm

Hi Jean,
I really like your Fish pattern. This is a fun summer quilt for the kids, we will enjoy cutting & picking fabrics.
Thanks
Pat Wright

Reply
Jean Boyd July 23, 2022 - 1:36 pm

Thanks Pat. Glad you liked this little quilt. Send us a picture of your version of the quilt – we’d love to see it!

Reply
Anne Gale January 4, 2017 - 3:08 pm

great information. Thanks.

Reply
Jean Boyd January 4, 2017 - 5:14 pm

Glad you enjoyed my binding method!

Reply
Tina August 14, 2016 - 1:48 am

This is so helpful!

Reply
Jean Boyd August 14, 2016 - 6:39 am

Thanks Tina. Glad you liked this binding method.

Reply

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