The Secret to Matching Quilt Binding you’ll wish someone taught you already
Quilt binding is the finishing touch that can make or break the overall look of your quilt or other sewing project. To match quilt binding perfectly can be a daunting task, but with the right techniques and tools, it can be done easily and quickly.
How to bind a quilt
Step 1: Measure Your Quilt
Before you can start matching your quilt binding, you need to measure your quilt to determine how much binding you’ll need. Measure the perimeter of your quilt, add 10-12 inches for the corners and the end, and multiply by two to get the total length of binding needed.
Step 2: Cut Your Binding Strips
Cut 2 1/2 inch binding strips from the fabric of your choice. You can use the same fabric as your quilt top or a coordinating fabric. The length of your strips should be the same as the total length of binding needed.
Step 3: Join Your Strips
To create a continuous length of binding, join your strips together at a 45-degree angle. Place one strip right side up and the other strip right side down on top of it, with the edges aligned. Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other and sew along the line. Trim the excess fabric, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance, and press the seam open.
Step 4: Press Your Binding
Fold your binding in half lengthwise and press it with an iron. This will help you create a clean, crisp finish when you attach the binding to your quilt.
Step 5: Attach Your Binding
Starting in the middle of one side of your quilt, align the raw edges of your binding with the raw edges of your quilt. Leave a 10-inch tail of binding at the beginning and start sewing with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. When you reach a corner, stop sewing 1/4 inch from the end, turn at a 45-degree angle and sew off the corner of the quilt. Fold the binding up and away from the quilt top, creating a 45-degree angle. Then, fold the binding back down, aligning it with the edge of the next side of your quilt. Start sewing again at the top edge of your binding, leaving a 6-inch tail at the end.
Step 6: Finish Your Binding
Watch the video to see this almost magical way to match quilt binding with ease!
Step 7: Fold and Stitch Your Binding
Fold your binding over the raw edges of your quilt and secure it in place with pins. Then, stitch the binding in place by hand or using a needle and thread or with your sewing machine, making sure to catch both the front and back of your quilt.
In this video tutorial, I’ll show you how to match quilt binding the easy way so it’s perfect every time.
This technique made me really nervous the first few times I tried it but I can tell you from experience – it works!
So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced quilter, these tips and techniques will help you create a beautiful finished product that you’ll be proud to display.
🧵 Happy Sewing!
Tara Reed
The only thing that I would add to this process, is to iron the seam open before cutting it (that way it is perfectly flat.
thanks for the comment – I do iron it flat, just try to keep the videos short and sweet so I showed cutting it first. (Easier to iron open when it’s a wider section tho – you are correct!)
I can’t wait to try this little binding trick to finish up a quilt! It looks amazing! I’m working on a scrap quilt (actually it’s a nine patch using the scrap fabrics I’ve been collecting from a BUNCH of my previous projects!) and I’ll have to give it a try! Thanks again for great ideas!
It’s a game changer for sure – happy quilting!