Beginner's Guide To Quilting - UK (2020-04)

Using ¼in (6mm) seam allowances, join

the strips together to the length required.

Sew them together at right angles to

create a diagonal join once the strip is laid

out flat, or you can sew them straight.

Press the seams open, then press the

binding in half, with wrong sides together.

Pin the raw edge of the binding to the

raw edge of the right side of your quilt

sandwich, then machine stitch it in place.

Fold over the binding and hand stitch it

closed on the back of the quilt, with all

loose ends inside. To finish your corners

really neatly, sew them with mitred

corners, find out how on page 71.

T

he binding you make for
your quilt can change the
whole look of your finished
creation. Consider the colours
and patterns in the quilt and then
select a fabric that will enhance
or contrast with these. Think of it
as your quilt’s frame.

Your binding needs to be strong and

hard-wearing, so opt for a 100% cotton

fabric that will survive handling.

Before transforming your chosen fabric

into the binding, work out how much

you need. Measure the quilt all round

and then add 10in (25cm) extra – you’ll

need the excess! If you’re making your

binding from a single fabric, buy the

full width of the fabric 42 to 44in (106

to 111cm wide) so you don’t end up with

too many seams to sew.

Finally, take your time with the

hand sewing. This should be a

pleasurable experience, so enjoy the

beauty of your quilt as you go!

FINISH YOUR QUILT IN STYLE

WITH BEAUTIFUL DIY EDGES

Cut fabric strips across the width of the

fabric. For a single-fold binding (one layer

of fabric) the strips should be cut 1½in

(3.8cm) wide. For double-fold binding the

strips should be cut 2½in (6.4cm) wide.

1

3

2

4

Making binding

All about Quilting

Beginner's Guide to Quilting 63