How To Piece Binding

I have been demonstrating The Binding Tool for a few months. As I show people my little mini quilt sample to illustrate this product, I have discovered that there are a lot of people who struggle with piecing and sewing the binding to their quilt. As long as I was doing a Binding Tool Tutorial, I decided to do this one on How to Piece Binding and another one on How to Sew It to a Quilt.

I'm working with a mini quilt and would recommend making a small sample like this in various stages. That way you have a visual reminder of each step when you are ready to bind a project. After a while you won't refer to that sample as often. But in the beginning having that step by step sample will really help.

Mini Quilt Sample

Now comes the math part. Don't worry. It isn't tricky math. Measure your quilt. You are measuring the perimeter of the quilt or the total of all of the sides.

Measure Your Quilt on Each Side

My sample measures 19" on this side. It is a square so I'm going to multiply 19" (length of my quilt)  x 4 (number of sides) = 76". If it were a rectangle I would measure the long and short sides and add those numbers together. Then multiply that by 2 because your quilt has 4 sides. If it is an odd shape, measure each side. You can also just measure each side and add all of the numbers together. Do whatever is easiest for you. If it is a circle you'll need to find the circumference and that is more math than I want to get into here.

In my sample case I know that my quilt measures 76". I have to allow extra for piecing the strips together, the mitered corners, and the finished seam at the end. I add about 18 - 20 inches to that measurement. In this case that would be 96". I know that seems like a lot, but I can always trim off the excess. It is much harder to add more at the very end if you run short. If you have extra, it is a very versatile 2 1/2" strip for another project.

Most of the time you are going to need to piece the binding. So next we need to figure out how many strips of fabric you will need to cut. I know, that means a little more math. But again it is easy math. Using my example, I need 96" of binding. I always assume my fabric is 40" wide. That allows for cutting off selvages, shrinking if you pre-wash, and just industry inconsistencies in width. If I get more than that it is an added bonus. Again, it is always easier to trim away extra fabric than it is to add more later. So here is the math for my sample: 

96" (length my binding needs to be) / (divided by) 40" (width of my fabric) = 2.4 (number of strips I need)

I'm going to say that I need 3 strips. I cut my binding strips 2 1/2". Most patterns have yardage requirements for binding. But if you're working with scraps or want to use a different fabric, here's the last math equation you'll need to do to find out how much fabric you'll need: 

3 (number of strips needed) x 2.5 (width of strips) = 7.5" (of 40" wide fabric)

I prefer a mitered seam rather than a straight seam. In my opinion, your eye will go to a straight line but will not notice the angled seam. I think it is a much cleaner, nicer finished look. There are several ways to get that 45 degree angle. Here are three different techniques that I have used.

Technique #1 - Ruler on the 45 Degree Angle - Place strip on the mat wrong side facing up. Line up the 45 degree angle line on the ruler with the bottom corner of the binding strip. Draw a line from the top of the binding strip to the bottom corner.

Place Ruler on 45 Degree Angle Line along Bottom of Binding Strip

It should look like this.

Binding Strip with 45 Degree Angle Drawn

Technique #2 - Line up with Another Binding Strip - In this case you will use two of the binding strips to find the 45 degree angle. Place one binding strip horizontally on the mat. Place the strip you want to mark on wrong side facing up at the end of the horizontal strip but facing vertically. Match the strips up along the top edge and slightly to the left of the end of the bottom strip as shown below.

Place Stip to Mark on Perpendicular to Another Strip

Line up a ruler in the top left hand corner of the vertical strip toward the bottom right hand corner of the horizontal strip.

Line Ruler up with Top Corner of Vertical Strip and Bottom Corner of Horizontal Strip

Draw a line from the the top left hand to the bottom right hand corner of the vertical strip.

Draw a Line from the Top to Bottom Corner of the Vertical Strip

Technique #3 - QuiltCut2 Method - Place binding strip wrong side facing up  lengthwise on the mat. Place the Cutting Guide on the Side Rail. Change the angle to 45 degrees. Line the Cutting Guide up with the bottom right hand corner of the strip.

Line QuiltCut2 up on the 45 Degree Angle

Draw a line along the Cutting Guide. It will look like the picture on Technique #1.

Whichever technique you choose, mark all of your binding strips on the 45 degree angle. Now it is time to sew.

Line up binding strips similar to Technique #2. Place one strip right side facing up horizontally on the mat. Find the end of a second strip that has the marked line. Place it on top of the horizontal strip right sides together on the left hand side. Match the top and left side of the vertical strip with the horizontal strip. 

Line up Binding Strips along the Left Side with the Marked Line Facing Up

Double check placement to make sure that if you were to sew on the line when you open up the strip it will line up with the horizontal strip. When you're sure it is correct, pin and check the remaining strips. Stitch on the drawn line on each strip. Double check your seam one more time. When you open up the strips you should have one continuous line of fabric.

Trim excess fabric on each strip down to a 1/4" seam allowance. Press seams open.

Trim Seams down to 1/4"

Next, press the strip in half wrong sides together along the entire length so the strip is 1 1/4" wide.

Binding Folded in Half Lengthwise

Now you are ready to sew it to your quilt. If you need help with that, see my post on How to Sew Binding to a Quilt. If you want to have a perfect finished seam at the end, see the post on The Binding Tool. I also have a post that shows a simple way to cut Bias Binding. You're going to love it!

Happy Quilting,
Carol