Quilt Binding - the last step in quilt making involves some decisions.

The quilt binding is the fabric on the outer edges of the quilt that finish it off and it is the last step in making a quilt. There are several choices to be made when you're ready to bind your quilt.

Purchased or homemade? It is very easy to make quilt binding with fabric you have bought. But you can purchase it in packages and sew it on your quilt. Wrights is one company that makes different types of bindings and has instructions on how to use them. But it looks like they are redesigning their website and the link is no good right now. I'll update it as soon as they're finished.

Bias or Straight Grain? When cutting a piece of fabric into strips for your binding, your cuts should be perpendicular to the selvage of the fabric for a straight grain binding. There is not much stretch to the fabric when cut this way and it is good for quilts with straight edges.

Bias binding is made from strips of fabric cut at 45 degree angles to the selvage of the fabric. It is stretchy and perfect for quilts with curvy edges. Because of the bias cut, it will stretch along the curves and still lay flat when finished.

Single or Double layers? Single layer binding uses the least amount of fabric and is fine for quilts that won't get a lot of use. Double layered binding provides the sturdiest edge for quilts that will be used, loved and washed regularly.

Machine or Hand Sewn? Bindings can be sewn on by machine, by hand or a combination of both.

My favorite method is called the French double binding and it is attached using both machine and hand sewing. Here's how I do it for straight edge quilts.

Quilt Binding Alternatives

Instead of a separate binding that is sewn to the quilt, you can also choose to wrap the backing fabric around to the front and sew it down. This is called self-binding. This requires that the backing of the quilt be at least 1 1/2" bigger than the quilt top. This extra fabric allows you to fold it in half and then wrap it around to the front of the quilt. Then you can sew it down along the edge on the front side of the quilt by hand or with your machine. This is a good method for beginning quilters or for a quick finish to your quilt.

Another alternative is to add along the edge of the quilt. Praire Points are square pieces of fabric, folded twice into a triangle shape, and then placed all along the edges of the quilt top and sewn on. The backing is then folded in and sewn over the raw edges of the prairie points to finish it all off. For an example of a quilt with prairie points, see the Holiday Quilts section. The Halloween Tree wall hanging has them on 3 sides. They take some time to lay out and arrange evenly, but give a different look to the quilt.

Whatever decisions you make about binding, they will be the last decisions you make for that quilt. Except whether to give it away or keep it for yourself, of course.

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