Quilt binding question

**Valerie in WA** · 05-09-2006, 10:08 AM

I am just about to finish the quilting on Rebecca's quilt. I think I'll get it done this afternoon.

As I've completed it, I've trimmed the backing and the batting flush with the quilt top. Now, thinking about the binding, I'm thinking I should've left the batting a bit larger.

The binding is to have a finished width of 1/2". I will be using a 1/4" seam allowance, so once the binding is on, half of it will be filled with the the 1/4" of top-batting-back sandwich, and half will be 'empty'. KWIM? Will that be funny? Should I go a little smaller. I think a 1/4" binding will be too small, but I was thinking of using 3/8". What do you think?

TIA!

**guest32** · 05-09-2006, 10:34 AM

I do my binding exactly as you have described....and it think it turns out fine. The binding does sorta fill in...you can't really tell. Or, if you're really worried about it, you can place your binding in 1/4 from the edge, so when it's sewn there is an actual 1/2 inch to fold it over ...but I think that may make it a little *tight*.

**homesteadmamma** · 05-09-2006, 10:39 AM

Valerie, that's the way binding is suppose to be. You trim everything flush with the quilt, sew your 1/4 inch seam allowance and then press and flip the part that doesn't have batting over to the back and sew that part to the back of the quilt by hand.

Whenever I make a quilt (other than baby) I always cut my binding material 3 inches wide, then press it in half. Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, I sew it to the top of the quilt. Once I'm finished sewing it, I press the binding so that half is on the top of the quilt, half on the bottom. Folding your binding in half before you sew it to the top of the quilt, makes it much stronger. Once I fold my binding in half, I then sew (by hand) the binding to the back of the quilt.

Hope that makes sense.

**homesteadmamma** · 05-09-2006, 10:41 AM

Here is a tutorial for binding that might also help.

http://www.heirloomquilts.com.au/tut/tutorial6.php

**Valerie in WA** · 05-09-2006, 04:09 PM

I've bound quilts before, but it was with fluffier batting and I think I left a little extra batting. However, the last time, was a LONG time ago. Previously, I used binding cut parallel/perpendicular to the fabric (can't remember which way - I think it was the totally NOT stretchy way).

Anyhow, this quilt has a scallopped edge and the pattern calls for bais cut binding - in order to ease the curves. That won't work with your method, will it CJ?