How to Sew Perfect Mitered Corners on Quilt Binding
Binding the corners of your quilt can be a tricky endeavor if you’re not used to it. But when you finally create a perfectly mitered quilt corner… it’s a beautiful thing! If you are binding your first quilt, then keep reading. I will teach you the easiest way that I have found to make and attach quilt binding and how to create perfect mitered corners!
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Video Tutorial
What is quilt binding?
Quilt binding is a long strip of fabric used to cover the raw outer edges of your quilt. Binding is typically made from long strips of fabric cut either on the grain or on the bias. If you prefer not to make your own binding, you can get store-bought bias tape or buy from a shop like Bessie Pearl Binding Co. She makes the most lovely quilt bindings available in almost any width or length that you need!
How to Calculate How Much Binding You Need
Buckle up for a quick math lesson. Calculate the perimeter of your quilt. (length + width) x 2. This will give you the total number of inches of your quilt’s perimeter. Add 12″ (just in case). Then, divide by the width of usable fabric (usually 40″ – 42″). Round up to the nearest whole number. This will give you the number of binding strips you will need to cut to make your binding.
What is the best width for quilt binding?
Most quilters use either 2¼” or 2½” wide binding strips to make their binding. I personally prefer 2¼” and you will notice that all of my quilt patterns are that \written.
How to Make Quilt Binding
If you’re like me and prefer to make your quilt binding, here’s how you do it…
Step 1: Cut your binding strips
Once you have calculated how many binding strips you need, cut the correct number of strips at whatever width you prefer (typically 2¼” or 2½” wide). If you have a lot of strips to cut, the Creative Grids XL Stripology Ruler is perfect for this!
Step 2: Sew strips together end to end
To connect your binding strips into one long strip, overlap the ends of the strips perpendicular to each other, with the right sides together. Sew a diagonal line from corner to corner. Trim the excess fabric leaving a ¼” seam allowance and trim the dog ears.
Step 3: Press binding in half lengthwise
First press all your seams (from the previous step) open. Then, fold the binding strip in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides together. Press the entire binding.
How to Prep Your Quilt for Binding
Before you can attach your binding, you need to get your quilt ready. Trim the excess fabric and excess batting from the edge of the quilt top. This is the perfect time to even up the sides of the quilt and square up your corners.
How to Bind Your Quilt
Step 1: Sew Your Binding to the Front of the Quilt
Using your sewing machine, and a walking foot if you have one, sew your quilt binding to the back of the quilt by lining up the raw edge of the binding strip with the raw edge of the quilt. Make sure to leave a 10-12″ tail unsewn. Sew to the front of the quilt using a ¼” seam allowance.
How to Make Mitered Corners on the Front of Your Quilt
As you approach the corner of the quilt, stop sewing ¼” from the next edge of your quilt. I would suggest measuring and making a small ¼” from the edge or if your presser foot has markings, stop when the quilt edge meets the ¼” mark. Backstitch and cut your thread. Next, rotate your quilt 90 degrees to the next side of the quilt. Fold the binding away from you, creating a 45-degree angle. Then, fold the binding back towards you at a right angle.
Continue sewing from the very edge of the quilt at the same ¼” seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning. Continue sewing your binding to the front of the quilt using the same method for the remaining corners.
Step 2: Join the Ends of Your Binding
Once you have sewn almost all of the way around your quilt, stop when you have about 12″ remaining. Backstitch and cut your thread.
To connect the two ends of the binding, you need to first trim the ends so they overlap. The overlap should be equal to the width of the binding. For example, I made my binding using 2¼″ strips of fabric, therefore the end of the binding needs to overlap the other end by 2¼″.
Lay the ends together, right sides together, and at a 90-degree angle to each other. Pin in place. Next, sew a line, diagonally, from corner to corner.
Lastly, trim the excess fabric, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. You can press the seams open to reduce some of the bulk.
Open the finished seam and continue sewing the binding to the front of the placemat. Don’t forget to backstitch at the start and finish.
Step 3: Sew Your Binding to the Back of the Quilt
Once your binding is sewn to the front side and the binding ends are connected, you need to finish by attaching the binding to the back of the quilt. This is entirely a personal choice and can be accomplished in a multitude of ways: hand sewing a blind stitch, machine sewing, or even with big stitching binding (my preferred method).
How to Make Mitered Corners on the Back of Your Quilt
Regardless of how you sew your binding to the quilt backing, the mitered corners are almost always the same. You will fold the binding over the raw edge of the quilt sandwich to the back side of the quilt. I like to clip the folded edge of the binding in place with a few Wonder Clips. Sew the binding to the quilt backing with whatever method you prefer.
When you approach the corner, fold the binding flat to create a 45-degree angle. Holding that fold firmly, fold the next edge of the binding over to create a diagonal seam at the inner corner. I also like to clip this in place while I sew to maintain that perfect miter. Continue sewing down the next edge of the quilt.
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