Happy Endings: Finishing the Edges of Your Quilt (18 page)

1.
Place one end of the binding 6" from one of the corners. Align the cut edges of the binding strip with the cut edges of the quilt.

2.
Using a walking foot or an even-feed foot, start sewing 4" from the beginning of the binding. Use a ¼" seam allowance and a stitch length of 10 stitches per inch. You do not need to backstitch when you begin to attach the binding.

Applying Single-Fold Binding to Straight Edges

Single-fold binding requires a ½"-wide seam allowance and works well on wide borders. Do not use this binding if the quilt features pieced borders or patchwork that extends to the edges of the quilt.

1.
Press the binding strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together.

2.
Fold each cut edge toward the center fold and press again.

3.
Open the folds of the binding and place the binding, right sides together, along the edge of the quilt. Align one cut edge of the binding to the raw edge of the quilt.

4.
Sew through all layers with a ½" seam allowance, using the fold as a guide.

5.
Fold the binding over the edge of the quilt to cover the raw edges and the seam allowance on the back of the quilt. The second fold of the binding should cover the stitching on the back of the quilt. You can trim the quilt edge slightly if the binding is not wide enough to cover the stitches.

6.
Sew the pressed edge of the binding to the back of the quilt by hand, using a blind stitch or slip stitch.

Single-fold binding can also be finished completely by machine. Sew the binding strip to the
back
side of the quilt first. When it is turned to the front of the quilt, stitch by machine along the pressed fold of the binding. For this very quick method of applying binding, refer to “Machine-Finished Binding” in “Stitching Guide” on
page 75
.

Applying Double-Fold Binding to Straight Edges

1.
Fold the binding strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Press the folded strip with a steam iron to help the two layers stay together as you sew. You can also use spray starch.

2.
Match the two cut edges of the binding to the cut edge of the quilt. Sew the binding to the quilt with a ¼" seam.

3.
Fold the binding over the edge of the quilt to the back. The folded edge of the binding should cover
the stitching on the back of the quilt. You can trim the quilt edge slightly if the binding will not cover the seam.