But for straight-grain binding, your method is great! Open the binding strips and place them right sides together at a diagonal. Trim 1/4 inch away from the seam. Quilt binding is something that I do for so many of my projects and something that I get asked about a lot. Listen up quilters - here's a tutorial that will make you one happy quilter! Sew on the fold line. Sew from point to point. If you'd prefer to join your strips end-to-end, you'll want to square the ends of your strips to remove the selvages. Then place your scrap across the end at a 90 degree angle, like this: Make sure that the edges on the left hand side are straight. 4. That's how you do it!I just love that we can teach one another things online! Then place your scrap across the end at a 90 degree angle, like this: Make sure that the edges on the left hand side are straight. Every time you place an order we plant a tree for you! This technique was originally shown on Alex Anderson's Simply Quilts TV program. binding strips together on the drawn line to create a diagonal seam as shown in Photo 2. I thought I’d post a step-by-step tutorial on how to sew and join together bias binding. Now you need sew bias strips together on sewing machine. Start with a fold. Thank you so much for commenting...you just made my day! I only recommend products or services I believe will add value for my readers. Trim the binding end piece a bit shy of the folded piece. If your binding is going to form a continuous loop (necklines, hems, armholes) you will need to join the beginning and the end of the binding together where they meet up. Remember when we made "darts at the corners? Laying it on a cutting mat where you can line it up with the straight lines is a good idea. Stop sewing when you are within 10" to 20" from where you began stitching. ', Another great tutorial, Susan. I’ve had that same thing happen to me where the strips don’t line up, but I never took the time to figure out how to do it differently so they would line up. The extra length of binding that you add to … I’m so glad I found Jenny’s tutorial, I just love her! No matter your skill level, today's tutorial is all about joining the ends of quilt binding using a super quick and easy method. Draw a second line 1/2″ out from the first drawn line, making sure 2nd drawn line adds 1/2″ to the length of binding strip. Sew seam and press open. Replies. Stop stitching (with your needle down) when you reach the crease. Since the seam where you join the two ends will show on the outside of the garment or project you should plan to put the join in an inconspicuous place. Wasn't that easy? Pin the strips as shown above, matching the snips which are indicated in blue. I'm Susan, maker of contemporary, unique quilts, FTC Compliance Statement: These sponsors contain affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you make a purchase by clicking on the links. Tip: use a walking foot if necessary. For a diagonal join you will lose a little more than the width of your binding strip. how to quilt, contemporary quilts, quilt patterns: Hi! Thank you - I do that too. Square off one end. Pin the bias ends, making sure the first set of marks are matching perfectly. And I DO love a striped binding. I'm glad I saw the comment about the folded back piece being specific to the width of the binding strip. The only down side is that I wish someone had shown me 20 years ago! This is shown by the pink lines. Align the top and side edges. Pin along the fold line, which is your seam line, to double check the binding. There's no complicated measuring or confusing angles to deal with. Reply Delete. In case you are wondering about that fabulous stripe, it is from Washington Depot by Denyse Schmidt.
, Not only is joining binding ends in the written format below, but it can also be seen in action, with the video '. Fold one end of a strip over at a 45* angle (or as close to it as you can). Trim out the excess, and finger press the seam to one side, or open if preferred. Yup! If using a narrower binding strip, 2.25" for example, fold back that measurement and pin. Cut straight across the binding. Now that you have the lines marked, take the end tail and open the binding. Position binding strips to mark and sew them It's guaranteed to take away any confusion, hassle, or headache that you've ever experienced in the past, and turn quilt binding into a pleasurable part of the quilting process. 3. I just used your method and it came out perfectly! Comments must be approved before appearing. For beginners I advise mark a straight line, as shown. Avoid letting the machine push the binding to the beginning stitching spot, resulting in a wrinkle. Square off one end. Such a super simple method - it certainly changed my quilting life and I hope it does for you too. At the beginning of your binding, start sewing approx 3-4" down, leaving the end loose. Not only is joining binding ends in the written format below, but it can also be seen in action, with the video 'How to Join Quilt Binding Ends - Step by Step. Measuring from the end of binding B make a mark on binding A so that the overlap of the two ends measure the width of your binding (in this instance it's two and a half inches). In essence, ... Easy Steps to Join Binding Strips. Press the seam allowance open. Once you learn the process, it will become second nature, changing your quilting life forever! Cut the end binding where it touches the fold. Trim away the excess fabric, leaving about a 1/4" seam allowance to the right of the seam line. Either the sides where they join are uneven, or the strips are not attached in one straight, continuous piece. This is similar to double-fold french binding that is used to bind quilts, but for garments the binding is much narrower. Lay the loose end you left at the start of your binding along the edge of the quilt, making sure it is sitting nice and flat. Start stitching approximately 6" away from the fold. Take this same measurement and measure passed the pin that same amount in both directions on each of the binding strips. Tried it last night and it worked perfectly. Your diagonal stitch line goes from corner to corner of an imaginary 'square' IYSWIM, and when you open it out you have 'lost' the length of the overlap. I share these with my quilting customers.Thanks, Cynthia. Step 1: Fold back the binding end Fold back 2 1/2" (or your strip width) at the binding beginning and pin. Cut on 2nd line. Maybe it would be a good idea to make that specification part of your tutorial. The marked line on the beginning tail should be aligned with the centerfold. Fold back the squared off end 2.5" and pin to the side of the quilt. Sometimes I sew it up too close and then it's really hard to make the twist. Thanks for linking up this week. June 04, 2014 1 Comment. Fold back the squared off end 2.5" and pin to the side of the quilt. Stop stitching to within 6" of the fold. This is how it will look. I always struggle with this stage of the binding process. Reply. Draw a diagonal line if necessary. Repeat to join cut binding strips into one long continuous strip. Remove the quilt from under the presser foot and place it on a flat surface. And still I'd end up with wacky strips! I hate joining strips and I love using bias binding so I use the method I showed in my never ending bias binding tutorial on my website. It is so quick and easy. Joining binding strips at a 45 degree angle reduces bulk in the finished binding. Mark the folds with a marker or chalk, on the wrong side of the bias tape, for both ends of the bias. Take the garment back to the sewing machine. Watch how the Next Stitch Forest grows by clicking here, Superstore Theme by Pixel Union. This sugar coated beast is a birthday present for a very dear, rainbow-loving friend. You may find it helps to mark a line, but I don't worry as it is a pretty short seam. For binding, using a diagonal seam has the bonus of distributing the bulk of the seam allowances, so you don’t end up with a big lump in your binding where you pieced your strips together. Stop stitching about 12 inches from the other end, leaving a gap. Youll have to scrunch up the edge of the quilt in order to match the little snips. Using a seam gauge, measure 1/4″ away from these marks and do a second set of marks. Join the ends by stitching on the diagonal from the upper corner to the lower corner of the piece underneath. Remember that the binding strip on the right should point up and away from you; the strip on the left extends across and toward the right. Lay your two binding strips down so that they overlap, with your last strip laying on top. Prepare binding strips, cutting 2.5" WOF strips and joining on the diagonal. I'm calling it 'The Happy Quilt' as the colours are just so cheerful. This my Kona cotton rainbow version of Denyse' Flowering Vine quilt - so using one of her fabrics seemed the perfect choice for my project. Some quilters like less, and if that's you, just be sure to fold back the same amount as your strip width in the first step. How to Finish a Continuous Binding Strip | Quilting - YouTube Finger press the seam open so you don't get a bump and voila! So I thought it was about time that I created a simple tutorial illustrating how I bind my quilty projects with double fold binding that is machine stitched to … Grab a scrap of fabric which is exactly the same width as your binding, which for me is 2.25", as I prefer a thin binding and mostly use low loft wadding. You have joined those ends and are ready to finish stitching your binding to your quilt without having to tear out a single hair ;-). If you have plenty spare, the simplest thing is to cut some from the end of your binding, but I have used a different fabric so that it is easy to see what I am doing. I've bookmarked your tutorial to try on my next quilt! Thank you for the tutorial – just what I need! A friend showed me this method of joining the ends of binding strips earlier this year. Place and pin both bias strips together combining both edges of strips. Powered by Shopify, Quick Trip Quilt - Free pattern for a limited time. Sew along this marked line to make a diagonal joining of fabric, with seam allowance 0.6 - 0.7 mm. Trim away the excess fabric and seam allowance to measure 1⁄4". Trim off the little triangular nubs that are at the ends of the seam allowance — they extend past the sides of the strip. I love seeing all the photos and seeing how other quilters do common practices like this. I also use a 2.25” binding so The Binding Tool doesn’t work for me. Align the beginning tail so the fold is on the marked line. This gives another 6" tail at the end, which is 12" of working space to join the binding. Finger press it, making a crease. Join the ends before you sew the rest of the bias binding. If all was done correctly, it should lay smooth and straight on the quilt. Join more strips until you … I'm assuming you know how to prepare your strips and turn the corners etc. First, you will learn how Jenny makes her binding by cutting 2 1/2 inch strips and ironing them in half, then sewing together with a diagonal machine stitch. It reaches just over the line of stitches from the front. Tip: cut the end binding 1/8" short of the fold for a better fit along the quilt. Trim off some of the excess binding B. Place binding cut edges right sides together, aligning cut edges and offsetting points so strips match 1/4″ from edge. KTGreen May 25, … In the past, when I used this method to sew binding I'd match the edges, look underneath to make sure I knew exactly where the seam needed to end, pin the pieces well, mark the seam, etc. Thanks! Take a second binding strip and lay it right side down on top of the first strip, and at right angles to it i.e. Bonnie shows you exactly how to join the ends of your binding with visual prompts to make it easy to remember. Start stitching the binding to the quilt approximately 6" away from the fold. I have been using 2" binding strips because it's easier to keep the binding on the back even when I tack it down. Open the end binding piece, laying it flat and right side up. Lay the end binding along the quilt and on top of the folded beginning binding. Make sure you are stitching across the 'top' of your right angle by keeping the apex of the point to the right side of the machine like this. ~smile~ Roseanne. To join strips together, lay one strip right side up on a flat surface. Lay binding A on top of binding B. My favorite part is the simple way she joins the strips of binding. You can grab some here: Last of all I thought I should show you the quilt! Finishing the binding is my least favourite part of the quilt and I generally mess it up mostly because I don't leave myself enough wiggle room with the ends. Anything for and easier life! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”, How to Join Quilt Binding Ends - Step by Step. Stitch diagonally across the two ends. This tutorial focuses on measuring and joining the ends of your binding so that you have a perfect fit and smooth mitred join. Then you will watch Jenny guide you step by step in the attachment of your ultimate binding. Sew from corner to corner. I like to leave about 8-10 inches looseat the begining, and if the binding gods are smiling on me, about 15 inches loose as I approach the join. A diagonal seam is less noticeable than a straight seam. I use the Easy Angle to cut my strip ends to join them. If using a narrower binding strip, 2.25" for example, fold back that measurement and pin. Thanks so much, I always struggle with getting the binding ends sewn together so will definitely try your way. Lay the loose end you left at the start of your binding along the edge of the quilt, making sure it is sitting nice and flat. Great step-by-step tutorial. Open the beginning binding piece, laying it on top of the other, right side down. you can line it up with the lines going in the other direction as in photo 1. Before trimming excess, check the binding's fit against the quilt. Cut the top binding end at a 90 degree angle exactly where it aligns with the right hand side of your scrap piece like this. My mom, Susan, doing a demo on joining your two quilt binding ends. Press the sewn seam open to help reduce the bulk as shown in Photo 3. Hi Susan! But this is life changing. Your stitching line should look like this: Turn the binding right sides out and it will look like this. Then take the other loose end and lay it over the top as shown above. Measure across the folded binding. She says… The key is to fold the triangle away from you – the fold should be closest to your body. Cut the binding strips at the marked lines. You need to sew the ends under the rest of the bias tape to hide them, so it is necessary to secure and fold over the ends before sewing any other parts of the binding. Open out the fold and place the right sides together so that you form a right angle like this. Learn how to finish a continuous binding strips aka mitered corner onto a quilt from quilting expert Cathy Izzo in this Howcast video. I'm always eager to find out about techniques that other quilters use. Joining end-to-end is acceptable, but it can create bulk during the attaching process, because now you've added 2 additional layers of fabric into your binding … Thanks for the tute and the link up on #TTot22! Transcript After you have your binding sewn on your entire quilt, you can see here it's all done, you stop about four or five inches away from where you started, and you cut your binding. This video is about how to quickly join the two ends of a binding when finishing your quilt. Secure by backstitching and cut thread. Then take the other loose end and lay it over the top as shown above. Prepare binding strips, cutting 2.5" WOF strips and joining on the diagonal. Thank you for this tutorial. I like to pop a pin in to secure it as I move it under the machine. The corner "flip" is also a life changer. Starting 6" to 10" from the end (depending on the length of your binding strip tail), sew the binding to the quilt. Thank you for posting a simple and consise tutorial on this. In our latest patterns we’ve recommended using a double fold bias binding (cut in self fabric). Now you just need to trim the bulk, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. 
Make sure to sew the bias binding edges first. The fold is maybe easier than getting out the ruler again, it all hinges on using the width of the binding. So cool! Press loose portion of binding in half lengthwise.