How to Finish a Quilt

Let's talk about how to finish - or bind - a quilt. This is adding that final finished edge to cover the raw edges of the fabric and batting layers after the quilt has been quilted. One option is to roll over the back fabric edges and sew them to the front of the finished quilt. I personally like the look of a separate binding - gives it a clean finish. It's also a fun excuse to use another fabric and use it to finish off the final design. In this tutorial I'll walk you through the process of finishing a quilt by sewing a separate binding to the outside edge. The best part? It's so much easier that it looks!

Before you add the binding you will need to "quilt" the three layers (quilt top, batting, and backing) - sometimes called a quilt sandwich. For more information on this process visit:

• choosing the right batting for a quilt 
• how to baste a quilt
• tips for machine quilting a quilt at home (including free motion tips)

How to Finish a Quilt, or Add a Quilt Binding

When I first learned to quilt, I was really nervous about learning to bind a quilt. Once I did learn how, I was amazed at how easy it was to make a really good looking binding. Now it's one of my favorite parts of the quilting process.

Cutting the Fabric to Finish your Quilt:

I like to do a double binding on my quilts - meaning there are two layers to the binding edge. This gives the binding an extra layer of fabric to hold up against wear and tear.

To get this I typically cut my binding strips 2 ½" wide. You can cut your strips across the width of the fabric yardage, or cut them on the bias, which means to cut them diagonally across the fabric.

There are pros and cons to both methods. Cutting straight-edge is easier with less fabric waste. Bias bindings are sturdier because the fabric edge is not on the straight of grain, which helps it not wear as fast. If you are going to have any kind of curved or scalloped edge to your quilt, you will need a bias binding.

I talk more about how to finish a quilt with a Bias Bindings in this post, including how to cut the bias binding strips, piece the strips together, and sew the binding to a quilt. I also show how to bind a quilt with rounded corners.

One determining factor for whether you cut straight edge or bias binding is the fabric itself. You may want to put a stripe or a gingham on the bias to make a diagonal design for the binding. The fabric I'm using for this quilt already had a diagonal motif, so I choose the straight edge to keep the diagonal design as is.

How to Finish a Quilt with a Straight Edge Binding

When cutting a straight edge binding (or any straight strips of fabric) before you cut, make sure your selvage edges line up straight with each other. This may require refolding the fabric and pressing a new center fold as the fabric may come off the bolt with the selvage edges not matched up.

The square off the end of the fabric so that you get a 90 degree angle from the fold to the edge of the width of the fabric.

To do this: line up the center fold on a straight line on your quilting mat. I like to put the side to be trimmed on the right side. This way I can use the straight bottom straight line on a cutting mat and the full width of my ruler to make sure I have a perfect 90 degree angle and a clean, square edge. Carefully trim the edge to create a straight edge and therefore, a straight strip of fabric.

(The reason this step is important, is that without a 90 degree again, you will end up with a V shaped strip.)

Flip the squared up edge to the far left of your cutting mat and use your ruler to measure the width of the binding strips.

I generally cut my binding strips 2 ½" wide, unless it's a small or mini quilt when I might cut them 2 ¼" wide.

Trim selvage edges off of all strips and sew them end to end with a ¼" seam allowance to create one long strip.

Press connecting seams open (so you don't have bulk) and then fold in half lengthwise and press.

Use a ruler and rotary cutter and the quilt top as a guide, trimming the excess batting and quilt back layers for a clean, straight edge.  Be careful to keep the quilt's sides square.

Pin the raw edges (non-folded-edge) to the raw outside edges of your quilt front. This is personal preference, but I like to pin the entire binding to the entire quilt before I sew it down. This helps keep the binding taught and prevents potential wavy quilt edges later.

How to Miter (or Mitre) Corners on a Quilt

When you come to the corner put a pin in the corner at a 45 degree angle.

Fold strip to the side at that same 45 degree angle.

Now fold the strip back on it self with the fold at the first edge of the quilt and matching up the binding edges to the edge of the second side of the quilt.

Place one more pin on the new side at a 45 degree angle. This will create a little triangle flap of fabric in the corner. Repeat at all four corners. When the strip gets back around to the beginning fold the ends down so that the strips meet-up. Press with your iron to make a crease at both folds.

Trim both ends to ¼" away from the folds.

Remove pins, match up strips right sides together and sew ¼" seam right on the pressed crease. Press seam open, refold strip and pin the joined binding to the quilt.

 

Sew binding in place using a ¼" seam allowance. I highly recommend using a walking foot if you have one. I also highly recommend 100% cotton thread - especially if your quilt is made of cotton fabric. Polyester thread may cut through the cotton layers over time.

Sewing Mitered Corners

When you get to the corner keep flap down and sew until you are ¼" away from the corner.

Lift the needle, but do not cut the thread. Rotate the quilt and flip the little triangle flap so that it lies the opposite direction.

Begin sewing next seam right at the edge of the last side. Repeat at all four corners.

When your binding is sewn to your quilt front fold the folded edge of the binding over to the back of the quilt and pin or clip in place. (I have finally started using Clover Wonder Clips which I really love - and so do the feet of my family members. Less worry about stray pins ending up in the carpet as I drag the quilt around to hand-quilt it.)

I suggest a matching cotton thread (or a thread that blends well) and a sturdy needle. Hand binding goes much more quickly if you have a needle that is longer and heavier - and I can do it with out a thimble with a heavier needle too.

After putting a knot in the end of the thread, hide the knot at the edge of the quilt where the binding will fold over and hide it.

Bring the needle through the very bottom edge of the bias strip and tack it down on the backing fabric, right underneath where the needle came through. Then slide the needle through the backing fabric, behind the binding strip bringing the needle out the bottom edge again. This creates a blind stitch.

Repeat!

Finishing Mitered Corners When Binding a Quilt

Tacking down the mitered corners is even less intimidating than attaching the binding to the quilt in the first place. And they really do look so tidy and neat.

Continue blind stitching the folded binding edge to the backside of the quilt until you get about ⅛th inch away from the edge. 

Make a nice 45 degree crease in the binding at the corner and then fold it back over it self. Use a couple stitches to tack down the fold for durability and then continue to blind stitch the remaining edges. Repeat at each corner.

That's it. Honestly, it's so much easier than it looks and once you get the hang of it, you can bind a quilt with out even thinking about it.

Personally, I really like binding a quilt by hand because not only does it create a clean finish with invisible stitching, but it's also mindless sewing and pretty much the only time I sit down to watch a movie or TV. 

But binding a quilt by machine can be faster and more efficient and look equally clean and tidy. For more tips and explanation I have a Machine Binding tutorial here. There is another great machine binding tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew.

Recommendations on Washing your Quilt:

I personally love to machine wash my machine-quilted-quilts when they are done because they soften up a lot and have a more loved, crinkly look. If you've used cotton batting they are likely to shrink slightly more. (I don't machine-wash hand quilted quilts as liberally.)

I wash the quilts on a gentle cycle with a very mild soap and dry on a low heat setting. If you're at all worried about color bleeding, the first time you wash a quilt throw in a Shout Color Catcher (available in the laundry aisle at the grocery store). Remember from our discussion on choosing fabrics for quilts, if you're using high-quality quilt fabrics, you should have very little worry about colors bleeding.

This post is sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing Machines. I bound this quilt with a Baby Lock Accomplish straight stitch machine which is a great way to get it done fast! If you're interested in learning more about Straight Stitch Machines go here.

I have been a Baby Lock ambassador for over 6 years now and have loved every machine I’ve worked with. They also have machines simple or complex to fit your needs! You can find your nearest Baby Lock dealer here. Baby Go HERE for tips for choosing the right sewing machine for you. 

If you have any additional questions about how to finish a quilt, leave a comment and I will answer in them in the comments section below.

(To see the finished version of this patchwork quilt made from vintage sheets go here.)