How to bind a quilt

The last step in completing a quilt is the binding. Quilt binding encloses the raw edges of the quilt top, batting and backing fabric to create a neat and durable edge. (Catch up on part one and part two of our quilting blog series, plus get the printable Coats & Clark Solid Squares Quilt pattern PDF we're using for this project.)

Preparing the binding

While packaged quilt binding is available, we’ll be going over how to make binding using strips of fabric used in your quilt to really tie everything together.

how much binding do you need?

Get ready for a little quilt math!

To determine how many inches of binding you’ll need to go around your quilt, measure the length and width of your quilt and multiply by 2. Add 20” [50 cm] to allow ample length for mitering the corners and joining the ends.

For example: : a quilt measuring 48” wide x 54” long:
(48 + 54) x 2 + 20 = 224” length of binding.

Typically quilt binding is ½” [1.5 cm] wide. To achieve this we’ll need to cut strips 2½" [6.5 cm] wide which will then be folded and pressed. Unless the edges of your quilt are curved, there is no need to cut the strips on the bias grain. As such, these strips will be cut on the crosswise grain or width of fabric (WOF).

To determine how many strips you’ll need to cut of your fabric, divide the length of binding as determined in the previous step by the width of the fabric. It’s always best to round up and give yourself some extra length as it can always be trimmed away at the end.

For example:224 ÷ 40 (WOF) = 5.6 strips. Cut 6 WOF strips.

cutting and piecing the binding

Using a rotary cutter and mat, cut your determined number of 2½” [6.5 cm] strips from your fabric.

Once cut, the strips are joined to create one continuous length of fabric:

• Place ends with right sides together perpendicular to each other. Using a fabric marker or chalk, draw a diagonal line from upper right corner to lower left.
• Stitch along diagonal line. Trim away corner.
• Press seam open.
• Repeat for all strips.

When all the strips are sewn together, fold the binding lengthwise with wrong sides together and press a crease along the length of the binding.

Once the entire length of binding has been folded and pressed in half, roll it into a coil to make it more manageable.

chosing the right thread for binding

Choose a color of Coats & Clark™ Dual Duty XP® Polyester thread or Coats & Clark™ Cotton All-purpose sewing thread that matches the binding fabric so it will blend in well with your quilt

attaching the binding

Before starting any of these methods, trim away any excess batting and backing fabric using a rotary cutter and quilting ruler. Make sure edges are straight and the corners are 90 degrees.

There are several options for attaching quilt binding. Choose the one that works best for your quilt, your skill and how much time you have.

• Traditional: Binding is machine sewn to the front, then rolled to the back and hand stitched into place along the back.
• Machine Stitched: Binding is machine stitched to the back, rolled to the front and machine stitched in place.
• Bold Hand Stitching: Binding is machine stitched to either the front or back, rolled to the other side and sewn into place by hand with a running stitch using Coats & Clark™ Bold Hand Quilting thread.

traditional method

With the quilt top facing up, leave an approximately 6” [15 cm] ‘tail’ of binding. Pin the binding into place starting in the middle of one side edge, making sure the raw edges of both the binding and quilt are aligned.

Sew ¼" (0.5cm) from the edge.

mitering corners

Slow down as you approach the corner, stopping ¼"(0.5 cm) from the corner, backstitch.

• Backstitch.
• Fold at a 45 degree angle.
• Fold binding down over the angle aligning the fold with the edge.
• Starting at the corner, sew along side to next corner.
• Repeat miter at each corner.

joining ends

When you have sewn around all 4 sides, stop stitching approximately 12” [30.5 cm] from beginning. Trim binding ends so there is a 2½” [6 cm] overlap approximately in the center of the unstitched binding.

Unfold the binding and with right sides together, align the lower binding perpendicular to the upper binding. This is the same as joining the binding strips. Mark the diagonal line. Stitch on the marked line. Check to make sure the binding isn’t twisted (it happens!) and the length is correct. Trim the seam allowance to ¼" and finger press the seam open.

Fold and smooth the binding in place and stitch the remaining area of the binding to the quilt backstitching at each end to secure.

Roll the folded edge of the binding to the back of the quilt and secure with pins or clips. Using a matching color of Coats & Clark™ Dual Duty XP® Polyester thread or Coats & Clark™ Cotton All-purpose sewing thread, hand sew the folded edge to the backing using a blind hem stitch.

machine-stitched method

Starting in the middle of one side of the quilt with the backing side facing up, place binding along the side, aligning the cut edges of the binding and quilt. Leave a 6” tail. Sew ¼" (0.5cm) from the edge.

Repeat the steps in the traditional method to join the binding to the quilt. Once you have joined the binding to all sides, gently press the seam away from the back to make sure everything lays flat, and the folded edge is nice and crisp. Roll the folded edge to the front—pin or clip in place. Machine stitch next to the folded edge, 1/16 – 1/8” in from the binding edge.

Machine stitch next to the folded edge, 1/16 – 1/8” in from the binding edge.

A decorative machine stitch can also be used for this step to add a little flair!

bold hand stitched method

Attach the binding to the back of the quilt and roll to the front as in the Machine Stitched Method

Thread a hand sewing needle with Coats & Clark™ Bold Hand Quilting thread. A size 9 or 10 embroidery needle works best as it has a larger eye. Bring the thread up through the seam allowance to hide the knot. Sew a running stitch 1/8” from the folded edge of the binding. The thread should go through the binding and into the batting, not all the way through the quilt.

The best part about sewing the binding on your quilt is that when you finish, your quilt is complete!;