How to Make and Add Quilt Binding

Finishing your quilt with a 3/8” (1 cm) binding edge gives it a clean and professional look. Follow these simple steps to create and attach your binding!

Making and adding the quilt binding 

• Measure the length and width of the quilt add 10” (25cm), this is the length of the binding strip needed.  
• Cut 2” (5cm) strips to get enough for the length needed. 
•  join all the binding strips into one long strip. The easiest way to do this is simply to bring the short edges together and sew a straight seam but I will show you a neater way that reduces bulk when sewing the binding to the quilt. 

Making the Binding Strip:

The binding strips in the illustrations below are shown in red for better visibility. The front of the quilt is shown in gray and the back in a lighter gray. 

1.  Put two strips on top of each other as shown in the image below, right sides facing. The short ends will go outside as shown to make the next step easier. Pin in place. 
   
   
2. Draw a diagonal line from left to right as shown below: 
   
   
3.  Sew on top of the line and cut away excess fabric leaving about ¼" (6mm) seam allowance. 
   
   
4.  Press the seam allowance apart and cut away excess fabric (“dog ears”) 
   
   
5. Repeat the steps to make one long strip. 
   
   

   Attaching the binding to the quilt. 

6. Place the quilt with the backing up. Start pinning the strip somewhere in the middle of a long side. Start sewing about 4” (10cm) from the edge of the strip. This makes it easier to sew the ends together later. Stop sewing 3/8” (1cm) from the corner. Tie off the thread. See image below for clarity. 
   
   
7. Time to make the first corner: fold the strip at a right angle in the corner. It will look like this: 
   
   
8. Now fold the strip over with the raw edge matching the next side of the quilt. It will look like this: 
   
   
9. Sew together starting at the edge of the quilt and stop 3/8” (1cm) from the next edge fold as you did before and continue stitching on next side. When you have made the last corner stop sewing about 8” (20cm) from where you started to add the binding. 
   
   
10. To join the ends, you need to let the edges overlap by 2” (5cm) cut away excess binding strip. 
    
    
11. Draw a diagonal line (45 degrees) 
    
    
12. Bring the opposite corners up and sew together. 
    
    
13. Cut away excess fabric, leaving av ¼" (6mm) seam allowance. 
    
    
14.  Press the seam allowances apart and sew the last part of the binding in place.
    
    
15. Press the binding towards the edge, making mitered corners (45-degree angle) 
    
    
16. Turn the quilt right side up. Fold the edges of the binding towards the edge of the quilt.  
    
    
17. Turn the binding in over the edge of the quilt. Fold the corners into a 45-degree angle. Pin in place:
    
    
18. Topstitch close to the inner edge of the binding. 
    
    

Your quilt is now finished! Well Done!