How to Make Quilt Binding

Making and attaching quilt binding is one of the final steps in making a quilt. Not everyone agrees, but it’s one of my favorite steps. It means my quilt is almost done and ready to be washed and used (or gifted)! Another reason I love the binding step is getting to do big stitches on the back. Psst… if you want to know more about that, check out this blog post here. In this post, I am going to take you through the process of making quilt binding, from calculating length and width to sewing and pressing.

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How to Calculate Fabric Requirements for Quilt Binding

The first step to making quilt binding is to calculate how much binding fabric you need and how many strips to cut. Most quilt patterns will list the fabric requirements and cutting instructions, but if that is not the case or you are not using a pattern, use this simple formula to calculate how much fabric you need to make your quilt binding. For those that hate math… I apologize, but it’s gotta be done.

Quilt Binding Formula

The first thing you need to do is to calculate the perimeter of your quilt (in inches). This would be done by adding the quilt width to the quilt length and multiplying by 2. Next, add 12″ (just in case) to the total perimeter. This will give you the total binding length needed. Next, divide this number by the width of the fabric (WOF). Typically, this is 42″-45″ of usable fabric. If the resulting number is a decimal, round up to the next whole number. This will give you the number of strips of fabric that need to be cut. To calculate the amount of fabric yardage you need to purchase, multiply the number of fabric strips (calculated in the previous step) by the width of your desired binding. Most quilters use 2½” or 2¼” ” wide strips.

Example

Let me show you an example using my Carbide quilt. A finished, throw-sized Carbide quilt is 65″ wide x 65″ long. This means the total perimeter is 260″. Add 12″ (just in case)1, to get 272″ of total length needed. If our useable width of fabric is 42″ wide, we need to divide 272″ by 42″, which gives us 6.47. Round this number up to 7. We need to cut 7 strips of fabric to make our binding. Finally, we need to calculate how much yardage to purchase. I want to use 2¼” ” wide binding, so I multiply 2¼” by 7 to get 15¾”. I would round this number up to 18″, giving me ½ yard of fabric needed.

How do you make binding strips?

Lets break it down…

1. Cut Your Binding Strips

If you are cutting 2½” strips of fabric, the Stripology XL Ruler from Creative Grids is perfect for this! I always use mine when I need to cut a lot of strips. However, because the Stripology Ruler only has slots every ½”, this isn’t exactly suitable for 2¼” binding (which I prefer). For that, I would suggest using a long 24″ ruler with your rotary cutter and cutting mat. Fabric off the bolt is already folded in half once and should measure about 21″ – 23″ wide. Use the center fold to square up the edge of your fabric. Your fabric should have a 90-degree angle at the folded end. If it does not, you will end up with strips of fabric with an “elbow” in the center. Once your fabric is squared, start cutting your strips at your desired width.

2. Sew Your Binding Strips

Once your fabric strips are cut, you need to sew them together, end-to-end, to create one long continuous strip of fabric. To do this, you have 2 options. You can sew them together by lining up the ends and sewing them at a 90-degree angle, or you can sew them together at a 45-degree angle.

Which method is better? That depends. Sewing them together with a straight, 90-degree seam is quicker and easier. However, it does create more bulk at a single point on the edge of your quilt which can be cumbersome to sew over. Sewing the strips together with a diagonal seam takes a little more work and trimming, but it creates less bulk and can make the seam line a little less noticeable.

To sew your strips together at a 90-degree angle, lay 2 strips on top of each other, right sides together, lining up the end of the binding strips. Using a ¼” seam allowance, sew a straight line down the ends of the fabric strip. Move to the other end of the fabric strip and repeat with the next strip. Continue until all binding strips have been sewn together. Press seams open.

To sew your strips together at a 45-degree angle, lay 2 strips on top of each other, right sides together, at right angles. You will create an ‘X’ with your fabric strips. Using a ¼” seam allowance, sew a diagonal line from corner to corner.

Open up the strip to make sure the strips have been sewn together in the correct orientation. Trim the excess fabric and dog ears and finger press or iron press the seams open. Move to the other end of the fabric strip and repeat with the next strip. Continue until all binding strips have been sewn together.

3. Press Your Binding Strips

Once you have created one, continuous binding strip, you need to press the fabric. This is the last step in making your binding. Single-fold binding strips should be folded in half length-wise, with the wrong sides together. Line up the edge of the binding and press the folded edge. Continue folding and pressing down the entire length of the binding. Take care not to stretch or manipulate the fabric too much while pressing.

4. Store Your Finished Quilt Binding

Storing your quilt binding properly will help minimize fraying and make it easy to find when you need it. The easiest way to store binding is by wrapping it around a piece of cardboard and pinning or clipping the end to secure it. If you find yourself having to store multiple sets of binding, something like a binding spool, like this one from Riley Blake, may be helpful.

What is Quilt Binding?

Quilt binding is the fabric that is sewn to the quilt edge to cover the raw edge of your quilt sandwich. It is the final step of making a quilt and gives your quilt a nice finished look. Typically the binding fabric matches or coordinates with the fabric used on the quilt top. Just like with most aspects of quilting, there are no rules. You can use solids, strips, small prints, large prints… go wild and do what feels right.

Single-Fold Vs. Double-Fold Binding

Double fold binding is what I describe in the instructions above. When it is finished and attached to the quilt, it creates 6 additional fabric layers. Single fold binding is a strip of fabric that has not been folded in half lengthwise before attaching it to the quilt. When it is finished and attached to the quilt, it creates 3 additional fabric layers. Single-fold binding is quicker and easier to make and is a great option for mini quilts.

Straight Grain Vs. Bias Binding

Cutting your strips of fabric perpendicular to the selvage, as described above, will create a straight-grain binding strip. This type of binding has minimal stretch, is easier to cut and piece, and is perfect for a quilt with straight edges and 90-degree corners.

Bias strips are cut at a 45-degree angle to the selvage, creating a fabric strip that has a lot of stretch. This type of binding is what you need to quilt with any type of curved or scalloped edge.

How wide should quilt binding be?

Binding is usually made from a standard 2½” or 2¼” strip of fabric. Ultimately, it is completely up to you and your personal preferences. However, when deciding how wide to make your quilt binding, take into consideration the thickness of your quilt. A thicker or loftier quilt may require a wider binding to wrap around the raw edge of the quilt properly. I like how a narrower binding looks, so I usually opt for a 2¼” binding.

Do you start binding on the front or the back of the quilt?

Typically binding is sewn to the front of the quilt first. Most quilters will use their sewing machine with a walking foot to sew the binding to the front side of the quilt before finding it over the raw edges of the quilt and hand-stitching to the back of the quilt. Depending on the size of your quilt, you may opt to machine sew on the back of the quilt as well.