Creating and affixing quilt binding remains a daunting task for many quilters. We wrote this guide to demystify some of the basic information around quilt binding, mainly: what is quilt binding, why do we bind quilts, what are the different styles and types, and how to measure your quilt to create quilt binding.
Before we start, these are two of our favorite resources for quilt binding:
Both The Quilt Binding Bible and the Ultimate Binding and Edge-Finishing Guide for Quilting and Sewing are excellent resources for quilt binding information. Each book is filled with a multitude of finishing and binding techniques and contains easy-to-follow tutorials and helpful information about preparing, measuring, cutting, and finishing binding fabric.
What is Quilt Binding?
Quilt binding is the fabric that binds the edges of your quilt, sandwiching the quilt top, batting, and fabric back together. Sewing the quilt binding onto your quilt is the last step of finishing your quilt.
Why We Bind Quilts
Quilters bind quilts to protect their quilt edges with a durable fabric. Once you’ve stitched your three layers (quilt top, batting, and fabric back) together, you’re often left with raw edges. Quilt binding adds a polished finish to your quilt in addition to being protective. Also, if your quilt binding wears down with time, it can always be easily replaced with new binding while still preserving the main fabric elements of your quilt.
Table runners with binding by Nancy Bunch
Styles and Types of Quilt Binding
Single fold binding uses a single strip of fabric that folds over the front and back of a quilt. It is most useful for smaller projects because you can work with smaller strips of fabric.
Double fold binding folds a single strip of fabric in half lengthwise, then folds the edges of this piece towards the center. Double fold binding creates a thicker, more durable, more protective binding.
Pro tip: The Magic Binding Maker is a really fun tool for making it much easier to fold and store your binding.
Straight grain binding (straight of grain binding, straight cut binding) is great for straight edge quilts. As the name suggests, in straight grain binding, the binding fabric is cut along the grain—either along the width and parallel to the selvage (crosswise grain) or along the length (lengthwise grain). Straight grain binding requires less fabric, but also has less stretch to the fabric as the piece of fabric contains fibers in the weave that run the length of the fabric.
Bias grain binding (bias tape), as its name suggests, is cut along the bias, at approximately a 45 degree angle to the weave of the fabric. Because bias grain binding is cut against the grain, it has more stretch than a straight grain binding. This makes bias grain binding suitable for quilts with rounded or scalloped edges. It can prove more difficult to cut and uses more fabric, but many quilters prefer bias grain binding as crossed fibers are more durable than straight fibers. It’s particularly attractive when you want to feature a striped binding fabric—just be mindful of matching up your stripes!
Beautiful binding on a bib made by Laurie Albrecht
Some quilters prefer to machine stitch the binding to the front of the quilt, and then hand stitch the binding to the back of their quilt using a blind or hemming stitch. However, you can also machine stitch both sides—it’s a matter of personal preference.
Types of Fabric and Threads for Quilt Binding
For most quilters, the best binding features the same fabric composition and weight as the quilt. A fine weight quilt should use a fine weight cotton binding, otherwise the binding will weigh down the fabric of the quilt. While you can mix and match fabric weights, it’s best to stick to the same fabric composition for both quilt and binding to maintain consistency in wear and durability.
Jelly rolls, bias tape, and quilting cotton are popular choices for quilt binding.
The same rules apply to thread selection. Most quilters prefer to match their quilt binding fabric composition to their thread composition. So, for a cotton quilt, aim for cotton thread. Polyester is also a good choice as it tends to be less noticeable.
Pretty binding on a quilt by Anne Luering
Length and Width Standards of Quilt Binding
The width of a double fold quilt binding strip is between 2.25-2.75 inches (depending on preference). A single fold quilt binding strip is approximately 1.25-1.5” wide.
The length of your quilt binding will vary based on the size of your quilt. A reliable equation for determining the length of your quilt binding is to measure and add together the length and width of your quilt, then multiply that number by two: (width + length) x 2.
Add 10-12 inches to the resulting number to account for the corners and join to determine the length of your binding.
For example, for a crib quilt that is 30” x 40”, you would need (30 + 40) x 2 = 140″. Add 10-12″ for a final length of 150-152”.
Pro tip: The CM Designs Add-a-Binding Tool makes it super easy to cut 2.25” or 2.5” strips, trim at 45-degree angles, trim off tips and excess fabric ends, and assists with folding binding in half.
Tips for Quilt Binding
Are you unsure which binding method you prefer? Don’t do test runs with your quilts! Instead, make a set of coasters or mug rugs and try different styles to see which look you like best.
Does tucking and holding your binding in place make you sweat? Try washable glue to secure your binding and mitered corners before stitching it down. We also love fabric clips for this purpose!
Are you afraid the raw edges of your finished quilt will shift during the binding process? Baste around your quilt approximately ¼” from the edges to secure your layers.
We hope this primer helps you create the most beautiful quilt binding for your quilt. If you need more help with quilt binding, don’t hesitate to reach out!
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