Binding questions
#1
Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 475
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Ok, I am wanting to bind a quilt. I usually use 2 inches folded in half. If I up that to 3 inches fold and iron in half do I still sew it on at 1/4 inch or do I move it to 1/2 inch to get a bigger binding edge on the front???? Sorry I know that sounds stupid but I have never changed it up in my whole life I usually just do the 2 inch, iron in half and sew on.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
DeMaris
Thanks in advance for any advice.
DeMaris
#2
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personally, i start with 2.25". 3" seems very wide and changing up your automatic 1/4 seam would mean a new skill and seem strange. the 2.25" fills the binding nicely when complete. it's all personal preference, though.
#5
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I always fold the binding into thirds and crease it with my fingers. This tells me what seam allowance to use so it will wrap perfectly. Then I move my needle so the edge of the presser foot rides on the edge of the fabric and the needle hits on the first crease. THEN I measure to see exactly what that seam allowance is so I know how far to stop from the ends to get a perfect miter at the corners. Hope this helps and makes sense.
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,393
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When I cut my binding, I cut it at 2.5 inches, fold it in half and iron it. I trim the edge of my quilt before I sew it on, but leave it a bit wider and trim it more as I sew down the binding by hand. So I use the 1/4 inch from the edge of the binding on the quilt but it may be a bit more when I trim as I sew. The majority of my quilts I use flannel for the back so need to make sure there is enough so it doesn't pull out. (I sew around twice, so my binding is attached.)
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: AR/NM
Posts: 358
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That being the case, you need a slightly wider seam if you are sewing onto the top (some like to apply to the back first.). I like to use 2 1/2 inch strips folded double and then a scant 3/8 inch seam on the top of quilt.
#10
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The easiest way to achieve a wide binding is NOT to trim your quilt sandwich until after the binding is stitched on. Cut your strips the width you want, fold, press and sew the binding with a 1/4" seam allowance. Instead of trimming the excess layers to within a 1/4" of your stitching line, leave some extra extending beyond it so the binding is filled when turned to the back and stitched down.
Last edited by Terri D.; 12-26-2014 at 09:56 AM.
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