QUILTsocial Issue 17

5 tips to create the best ever
quilt binding finish
5 tips to create the best ever binding finish
Setting the binding for best visual impact
I want to share my 5 tips to create the best ever binding finish. This project, made with
the beautiful Kayana Autumn Collection by Banyan Batiks is the perfect example of how
you can play with the fabric in your binding to get the final touch just right in your
table runner.
I usually make a binding by adding the strips at an angle so that it’s virtually impossible
to determine where the binding process actually began. But I wanted it to be different
for this piece as I had a beautiful corner block showing off a light fabric along with the
main piece that changed color along the way. So I needed the binding to showcase
the same changes.
TIP 1: Length of binding
Now for the record, I always cut my binding strips at 2¼” and fold in half so that I have
a double layer binding to ensure longevity. For this project, I started by picking the
fabrics and setting them beside the table runner in order to determine which should
go where for a better visual impact.
Once I had determined which strip went where, I was able to see which needed to
be joined at an angle and which needed to be joined in a straight line. Usually, I don’t
recommend joining the strips end to end as the joining area will be bulkier. But the
visual impact of adding a light fabric binding edge along the corner block area on this
piece outweighed the bulkiness.
TIP 2: Joining strips at a 45° angle
I still joined all the other pieces at a 45° angle and sewed them to the table runner
before making that corner. Here are the steps:
• Lay the two ends that are to be joined, with right sides together, at a 90° angle. I
usually ensure that they overlap each other so that I can clearly see the corners.
• Sew corner to corner across. Look closely at the picture to ensure you’re sewing on
the correct angle.
• Cut off the excess fabric, open the seams, and press with an iron.
Repeat to join all the binding strips, with the exception of the light colored binding.
Fold the strip in half lengthwise and iron the fold.
Begin stitching on the top side of the table runner. Now you’ll want to sew the strip
clockwise, so start about 6” – 8” from the edge of the light colored block and sew all
the way until you reach 6” – 8” from the other edge of the light colored block.
Joining binding at an angle
Cut off excess and pressing the seams open
32 OUILTsocial | issue 17