3 Quilt Binding Hacks You Need to Know

Before I get too far into this subject I want to mention that I am not a binding master, nor do I care if my binding is show quality, I am going for straight, simple, and presentable!

My least favourite part of the quilt-making process, like many, is binding.  I think cutting 2.5" strips is boring, I always burn my fingers, 90 Degree angles suck and do not get me started on attaching the two ends together!  I mean seriously how many times can you get the binding twisted before you give up!  4, the answer is 4 times til I give up anyway. 

I've been making quilts for about 15 years and I still strongly dislike attaching the binding to a quilt.   Anyhow I have some 'hacks' I would like to share with you that might make the process a little more enjoyable.

3 Binding Hacks YouTube Video

I could go on and on about quilt binding for days. But I would much rather just get into it and keep this short, like how I get my binding done 😆. I always cut my binding 2.5" wide. It doesn't seem to matter if I am binding a double-batting quilt; this size just really works for me. I also almost always hand-bind. I think the finish is nicer, and I actually enjoy having a good excuse to binge Netflix.  I also don't cut my binding on the bias which I know many people will shake their finger at me for, but this way has worked well enough for my quilts, my stash, and my patience. 

Hack #1 - Use a Binding Necklace

My friend Gayle introduced me to this little contraption, which was finessed by Linda's husband who instead made the guild a few out of PVC pipe and cord instead of a paper towel roll and yarn.  Either way, this is a great technique to keep the binding under control, off the floor, and running smoothly as you sew

The piece of PVC pipe is 5" long and the cord is 35" long, obviously, you can adjust these measurements to fit yourself and your needs better but so far this is working really well for me.  I recommend using a small piece of masking tape to secure the end of the binding to the pipe so you get a nice tight roll, but this isn't necessary. 

The cord goes around your neck as you pull up to your machine to sew and the binding comes off the roll nice and easy.  A terrific little invention. 

Hack #2 - Using your needle to turn the corner of your quilt

Okay now, some folks will think this isn't a hack, and others are going to have a lightbulb moment.  This is best watched on the video, but essentially I like to stop stitching a quarter inch from the edge of the quilt

1. put my needle down,
2. pick up my presser foot,
3. turn the quilt, 
4. pull my needle up,
5. fold the fabric to turn the corner,
6. shove back under the walking foot,
7. keep stitching.

I don't sew off at a 45-degree angle, clip my threads, loose my corner, or any other fancy pants thing.  Simple and done. 😁

I remember binding my first quilt, and doing it this way after someone showed me how to do it... I did it my way ever since. 

Hack #3 - Stop ironing your binding in half!

If you are hand-binding a quilt, why on earth are you ironing it in half?!?

Gayle stopped me one day when I wouldn't stop swearing at the ironing table as I burnt my finger for the third time (after 15 years I wouldn't do this anymore...).  She told me to just bind without ironing, that the fabric would lay better and I would have more control over the placement and not have an ugly iron line in case things weren't exactly as straight as I pretended... GAME CHANGER!  Ever since I stopped ironing my binding I have had perfectly smooth beautiful binding. I think you could even get away with this when machine binding but in all honesty I don't know because I dislike the look of machine binding.  Seriously give this a try I promise you will not go back.

This pattern is called "Legendary" by Elizabeth Hartman.  

That is all I have to share today, please share the video with your friends and help me keep the videos coming!