1st Quilt Ever -- Attaching the Binding

The finish line is in sight!!
Get ready for an epic-length post! :o)

Let's attach that binding!
Start in the middle of one side of your quilt. Line up your binding's raw edges with the raw edges of your quilt top, leaving about 8" loose, as shown.

Be sure your edges are aligned as you go!

When you come to a corner, STOP 1/4" before the edge of the quilt and backstitch.

Turn your quilt counterclockwise and fold your binding up, lining up the right-hand side of the quilt with the right-hand raw edge of the binding, as shown.

Fold the binding back down, lining up the top edge and the right-hand edge with the edges of your quilt.

Backstitch to the edge of your quilt and continue!

When you reach the side where you first started attaching your binding, STOP about 16" before the point where you started stitching, and backstitch. You now have two loose tails to deal with.

Lay the first tail of your fabric flat against your quilt and pin at the end.

Lay the second tail flat and pin just before it overlaps the first.

You will cut the second tail at the point where it overlaps 1/2" over the first tail.

Pinch your two tails together at the joint as shown.

Grab the two inner layers of the tails...

...and open them flat, right sides together. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Finger-press the seam open.

Fold your binding back together, wrong sides together, and lay it flat against your quilt, and finish attaching it.

Trim your batting and backing to about 3/8" beyond the raw edge of your binding.
You're all set to hand finish it!


Yes, folks, I said hand finish! I have only finished bindings by machine a very few times -- and each time I was severely disappointed in the result. I feel you will be much, MUCH happier with your final result if you take the time to do this last step right and make that binding look perfect!!


You need thread to blend with your binding (the thread won't show much -- you'll be doing tiny stitches if all goes well!), a hand needle, and three pins.


Lay your quilt on your lap with the backing up, and one corner just at your right. (If you are left-handed you will need to reverse these instructions!) Fold your binding around and up just over the stitching line that initially attached your binding to your quilt. Pin a small section, using your three pins. (I find that if I use more than three pins I end up stabbing myself when maneuvering things around. You can certainly do more if you like!)


I sew with a single thread. Knot the end of your thread and stick it into the seam allowance of your backing fabric, poking it back up just at your stitching line and barely through the folded edge of your binding, as shown.


Stick your needle into the backing just above the stitching line. Poke it to the left about 1/4". being sure not to poke your needle all the way through the front of your quilt, and pop it back up through the folded edge of your binding. That's it!


Put in your favorite movie and repeat that stich a zillion times until you've completed your quilt!

WOO HOO!!!! YOU'VE DONE IT!!!!!!

Now, come back on WEDNESDAY
for a
~G~I~V~E~A~W~A~Y~!~!~!~!~