Beginner's Guide to Quilting - UK (2020-02)

Finish your quilt in style with beautiful DIY edges

MAKING BINDING

The 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, it’s important to work out how

much you need.

Measure the quilt all around the edges

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) – rather than a pre-cut piece,

so you don’t end up with too many seams

to sew to make the full strip.

Finally, take your time with the hand

sewing. This should be a gratifying

experience, so make yourself comfy and

enjoy the beauty of your quilt as you go!

STEP ONE

Cut fabric strips across the width of the

fabric. For a single-fold binding the

strips should be 1/in wide. For double-

fold, the strips should be 2/in wide.

STEP TWO

Using /in seam allowances, join the

strips together to the required length,

piecing at right angles to create a

diagonal join once laid out flat.

STEP three

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 around all edges.

STEP FOUR

Fold the binding over to the back of

the quilt and hand stitch it in place,

with all raw edges and threads inside.

To finish your corners really neatly, sew

them with mitred corners – find out how

on page 69.