Sewing Binding On A Quilt By Machine

Hey there, quilty friend! Today, we're going to chat about something that'll make your quilt look like it's just stepped off the runway - sewing binding by machine. Don't worry, we'll keep it fun and easy, promise!

First things first: What's binding?

Binding is like the cherry on top of your quilt sundae. It's the fabric that goes around the edge, giving your quilt a polished, finished look. It's also the part that'll be rubbing up against your face when you're snuggled up under it, so make it something nice!

Let's talk fabric

Binding comes in two main types: bias and straight. Bias binding is stretchy and great for curves, but it's a bit more fiddly to work with. Straight binding is, well, straight, and it's super easy to use. For our machine method, we're going to stick with straight binding - think of it as the lazy quilter's best friend!

Prepping your binding

First, you need to cut your binding strips. For straight binding, you'll want them to be about 2.5 inches wide. You can use a rotary cutter and a quilting ruler for this - it's like playing with really big, really sharp paper dolls!

Once you've got your strips, it's time to join them together. You can do this by sewing them right sides together, then pressing the seam open. It's like sewing a really long, really skinny tube - a fabric hot dog, if you will.

Sewing the binding to your quilt

Now, here's where the magic happens. First, press the raw edge of your binding strip towards the wrong side by about 1/4 inch. This is called 'pressing the fold'. It's like giving your binding a little hug, to keep it neat and tidy.

How Hand Sew Quilt Binding at Nichelle Hock blog

Next, place your quilt face up on your sewing table. Starting in the middle of one side, place your binding strip along the raw edge of your quilt, right sides together. Sew along the fold you pressed earlier, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

When you get to a corner, don't worry - we'll tackle those in a sec. For now, just keep sewing along the edge until you've gone all the way around three sides.

Corner time!

Oh, corners. They can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, we'll get through this together. When you reach a corner, stop sewing about 1/4 inch before you get to the edge. Then, fold the binding up, so the raw edges meet at a 45-degree angle. Sew along this new edge, then fold the binding back down and continue sewing along the original edge.

Binding Quilt Sewing Machine at Alyssa Coode blog

See, that wasn't so bad! Just remember, it's like a little dance: fold, sew, fold, sew. You've got this!

Finishing up

Once you've sewn all the way around your quilt, it's time to attach the binding to the other side. Fold the binding over to the back, then press it in place. Now, you can either hand-stitch it in place, or use your machine to top-stitch it down. Either way, you're almost done!

Finally, give your quilt a good press, and voila! You've got a beautifully bound quilt, ready to keep you cozy on those chilly nights. High-five, you quilty rockstar, you!

And that's a wrap!

Binding your quilt by machine is like riding a bike - once you get the hang of it, you'll be flying! So, grab your sewing machine, some fabric, and let's get binding. Your quilt's waiting, and so is that cozy nap!