6 Essential Tips for Binding a Quilt Like a Pro

6 Essential Tips for Binding a Quilt Like a Pro

Binding a quilt is the ultimate step within the quilting course of, and it may make or break the look of your completed quilt. A well-bound quilt shall be sturdy and delightful, whereas a poorly certain quilt shall be flimsy and unfinished. On this article, we are going to focus on the completely different strategies of binding a quilt and supply step-by-step directions on the way to bind a quilt utilizing the machine-stitching technique. We can even present recommendations on how to decide on the precise binding cloth and the way to miter the corners of your quilt for knowledgeable end.

There are three major strategies of binding a quilt: hand-stitching, machine-stitching, and utilizing quilt binding tape. Hand-stitching is essentially the most conventional technique of binding a quilt, and it may be very lovely. Nevertheless, it’s also essentially the most time-consuming technique. Machine-stitching is a quicker and simpler technique of binding a quilt, and it may be simply as lovely as hand-stitching. Quilt binding tape is a pre-made binding that may be sewn onto the quilt utilizing a stitching machine or by hand. It’s the quickest and easiest way of binding a quilt, however it’s also the least sturdy.

When selecting a binding cloth, it is very important think about the general look of your quilt. The binding cloth ought to complement the colours and patterns within the quilt, and it needs to be a sturdy cloth that can stand as much as put on and tear. Some well-liked selections for binding cloth embody cotton, linen, and silk. Upon getting chosen a binding cloth, you’ll be able to start the method of binding your quilt.

Minimize and Sew Quilt Blocks

Use a quilting ruler and rotary cutter to precisely minimize your quilt blocks. Pin the material layers collectively and sew across the perimeter of the block, utilizing a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Trim the surplus cloth and press the seams open.

Becoming a member of Quilt Blocks

Organize the quilt blocks in your required structure and pin them collectively. Sew the rows of blocks collectively, utilizing a scant 1/4-inch seam allowance (barely lower than 1/4 inch). Press the seams open.

Nesting Seams

Nesting seams is a method that helps to cut back bulk within the quilt. When becoming a member of rows or columns of quilt blocks, align the seams of the adjoining blocks barely offset from one another, with one seam nestling inside the opposite. This creates a flat, seamless be a part of.

Conventional Seam Nested Seam
Traditional seam Nested seam

1. Sew solely the start of the 2 seams, leaving no less than 2 inches of thread on the tip.

2. Raise the presser foot and pull the material below the needle, nesting the second seam inside the primary.

3. Decrease the presser foot and proceed stitching, backstitching over the nested seam to safe it.

4. Trim the surplus thread tails to 1/4 inch.

Be part of Quilt Blocks into Rows

1. Lay Out Quilt Blocks

Organize the quilt blocks within the desired order, guaranteeing they’re aligned and dealing with the proper path.

2. Sew Adjoining Blocks

Place two adjoining blocks proper sides collectively and sew alongside the sting utilizing a quarter-inch seam allowance. Press the seam open.

3. Press and Be part of Block Rows

a. Urgent

After stitching all adjoining blocks, press the seams flat. It will assist scale back bulk and make the rows simpler to hitch.

b. Becoming a member of Rows

Place two quilt block rows proper sides collectively, aligning the seams. Pin alongside the sting and sew utilizing a quarter-inch seam allowance. Press the seam open.

c. Various Becoming a member of Strategies

As an alternative of urgent open the seams, you can too:

  • Zigzag sew over the seams to surround them.
  • Use a binding to cowl the seams.
Methodology Benefits Disadvantages
Urgent Open Seams – Creates a flatter floor – Will be time-consuming
Zigzag Stitching – Fast and straightforward – Can create a visual seam
Utilizing Binding – Covers seams and provides ornamental aspect – Might require further cloth and time

Create Quilt Backing

The quilt backing is the layer of material that covers the again of your quilt. It offers assist and stability to the quilt and helps to maintain the layers collectively. The backing will be created from any sort of material, however it’s sometimes created from a heavy-weight cotton or a mix of cotton and polyester. The backing needs to be no less than 4 inches bigger than the quilt prime on all sides. It will permit for the quilt to be trimmed and squared up after it’s certain.

To create the quilt backing, observe these steps:

1. Minimize the backing cloth to the specified dimension.
2. Be part of the backing cloth items collectively, if essential.
3. Press the seams open.
4. Sq. up the backing cloth by trimming any extra cloth from the sides.

5. Place the quilt prime, batting, and backing collectively

1. Place the quilt prime, proper facet up, on a flat floor.
2. Heart the batting on prime of the quilt prime.
3. Heart the backing cloth, proper facet down, on prime of the batting.
4. Clean out the layers and ensure that they’re aligned evenly.

6. Pin the layers collectively

1. Pin the layers collectively across the edges, beginning on the heart and dealing your means outward.
2. Use quilting pins which can be lengthy sufficient to undergo all three layers of the quilt.
3. Insert the pins perpendicular to the sting of the quilt, about 1 inch aside.

7. Quilt the layers collectively

1. Quilt the layers collectively utilizing your most well-liked technique.
2. As soon as the quilting is accomplished, trim any extra batting or backing cloth from the sides of the quilt.
3. Sq. up the quilt by trimming any extra cloth from the corners.

Care and Upkeep of Quilt

Retailer It Correctly

Wrap your quilt in acid-free tissue paper or a muslin bag earlier than storing it in a cool, dry place. Hold your quilt away from direct daylight, as this will trigger fading.

Keep away from Frequent Washing

Quilts should not meant to be washed incessantly. Restrict washing to solely when it’s completely essential.

Use Mild Detergent

If it is advisable to wash your quilt, use a gentle, pH-neutral detergent. Keep away from utilizing harsh chemical substances or bleach, as these can injury the material and fibers.

Hand-Wash or Machine-Wash Delicately

Hand-washing is the gentlest choice for quilts. Nevertheless, you can too machine-wash on a fragile cycle with chilly water and a low spin velocity.

Dry Fastidiously

Grasp your quilt to dry within the shade or tumble dry on the bottom warmth setting. Keep away from utilizing excessive warmth, as this will shrink or injury the quilt.

Mend It Promptly

If you happen to discover any tears or holes in your quilt, mend them promptly to forestall additional injury.

Hold It Out of Mothballs

Mothballs can injury quilts. As an alternative, retailer your quilts with pure repellents resembling lavender or cedar.

Steam It Often

To refresh your quilt and take away any wrinkles, you’ll be able to steam it gently with a handheld steamer.

Common Inspection

Examine your quilt repeatedly for any indicators of fading, staining, or injury. Tackle any points promptly to maintain your quilt in good situation.

Troubleshooting Widespread Binding Points

1. Binding Not Flat or Buckling

Make sure the seam allowances are trimmed evenly and pressed flat. Lower the sew size barely to cut back puckering. If the binding is just too vast or accommodates a number of layers, break up or slender it to make it extra pliable.

2. Binding Too Tight or Unfastened

Regulate the width of the flange (the portion of the binding that extends past the quilt edge). If the binding is just too tight, make the flange wider; if it is too free, slender the flange.

3. Binding Not Utterly Protecting the Quilt Edge

Examine if the quilt edge is uneven or has curves. Trim or modify the quilt edge accordingly. Use a piping wire or bias tape to cowl any uncovered edges.

4. Binding Corners Not Mitering Correctly

Make sure the corners are precisely folded and mitered. Use a miter gauge or ruler to measure and mark the chopping strains. Clip or trim the surplus cloth on the corners to forestall bulk.

5. Binding Not Staying in Place

Use sharp needles and high-quality thread. Safe the binding with each hand and machine stitching. If essential, use cloth glue or double-sided tape to strengthen the attachment.

6. Binding Pulling Up from Quilt Edge

Examine if the binding stitches are catching the quilt backing cloth. Improve the sew size or modify the stress to make sure a safe maintain.

7. Binding Creasing or Puckering

Press the binding incessantly whereas stitching and after completion. Use a urgent fabric or a clapper to keep away from imprinting any creases or marks.

8. Binding Not Straight or Curved Easily

Examine if the binding is minimize precisely and aligned evenly alongside the quilt edge. Use a ruler or quilting templates to make sure precision.

9. Binding Overlaps or Does Not Meet

Make sure the binding strips are sewn collectively squarely and securely. Overlap the binding barely on the beginning and ending factors and trim any extra.

10. Binding Methods and Instruments

Discover varied binding methods resembling double-fold binding, Hong Kong binding, and bias tape binding. Think about using a bias tape maker, binding foot, or miter gauge to reinforce accuracy and effectivity. If wanted, seek the advice of quilting books, on-line tutorials, or skilled quilters for extra steering.

How you can Bind a Quilt

Binding a quilt is the ultimate step within the quilting course of, and it is an effective way so as to add a private contact to your quilt. There are a lot of alternative ways to bind a quilt, however the commonest technique is the bias binding method. This system makes use of strips of material minimize on the bias, which suggests they’re minimize at a 45-degree angle to the selvage fringe of the material. Bias binding strips are stretchy, which makes them simple to stitch round curves and corners.

To bind a quilt utilizing the bias binding method, you will have:

*

  • A quilt
  • *

  • Bias binding strips
  • *

  • A stitching machine
  • *

  • A needle and thread
  • Upon getting your whole provides, you’ll be able to start the binding course of. Begin by stitching the bias binding strips collectively to create one lengthy strip. Then, fold the strip in half lengthwise and press it. Subsequent, pin the bias binding strip to the sting of the quilt, mistaken sides collectively. Sew the bias binding strip to the quilt, utilizing a small sew size. Upon getting sewn across the complete quilt, flip the quilt over and fold the bias binding strip to the again. Hand-stitch the bias binding strip to the again of the quilt, utilizing a blind sew.

    Individuals Additionally Ask

    How do you make quilt binding?

    To make quilt binding, you will have:

    *

  • 1/2 yard of material for every binding strip
  • *

  • A rotary cutter
  • *

  • A chopping mat
  • *

  • A ruler
  • Minimize the material into 2 1/2-inch vast strips. Then, sew the strips collectively to create one lengthy strip. Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press it. The binding is now able to be utilized to the quilt.

    How do you bind a quilt and not using a stitching machine?

    To bind a quilt and not using a stitching machine, you will have:

    *

  • Bias binding strips
  • *

  • A needle and thread
  • Fold the bias binding strip in half lengthwise and press it. Pin the bias binding strip to the sting of the quilt, mistaken sides collectively. Sew the bias binding strip to the quilt, utilizing a small sew size. Upon getting sewn across the complete quilt, flip the quilt over and fold the bias binding strip to the again. Hand-stitch the bias binding strip to the again of the quilt, utilizing a blind sew.

    What’s the greatest cloth for quilt binding?

    One of the best cloth for quilt binding is a light-weight cotton cloth that’s simple to stitch. Some good selections embody quilting cotton, voile, and garden. You too can use different materials, resembling silk or linen, however these materials could also be tougher to stitch.