Saturday, January 29, 2011

Binding Basics... what do you want to know?

jaybirdquilts
Binding Tutorial Posts
Basics Post #2 - Bias Binding
Basics Post #3 - Scrappy Bias Binding
Single Fold Binding (for mini quilts & small projects)   


I'm working on a big long post all about Binding Basics for next week...
and before I finish it..
I want to know... what do you want to know?

I'm planning on covering
Bias Cut vs. Straight of Grain
Single Fold vs. Double Fold
How to calculate binding
Different methods of piecing binding strips


Is there anything else you want to know?


PS... this post is going to be in addition to the other 2 binding tutorials I've done.
The goal is that it'll fill in lots of questions I've been asked as well as go over the basics for those just getting started in quilting.



© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/
at

66 comments:

  1. Debbie B SamJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    How about the mitered corner, any hints on getting them perfect?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Julie @ Jaybird QuiltsJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    Debbie,

    I actually show how to do that in my first binding tutorial but I can add more photos if you want me to.

    Perfect Binding Tutorial

    ReplyDelete
  3. ReginaJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:34 AM

    Favorite thread and needle you use for hand sewing the back on.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Connecticut ChronicholsJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Hand vs. machine finished bindings. I do hand stitching most of the time but would like some tips on how to get the stitch in the ditch when machine finishing.
    Thanks for doing this.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  5. Chris {frecklemama}January 29, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    Quick methods (ie machine?) for those quilts that just need to get done and out the door. BTW the quilt in that photo is delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ShawnJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    Hi Julie,
    What is the best way to bind the inner curves/points of a hexagon or double wedding ring edge?? Mine always look kind of bumpy...lol

    ReplyDelete
  7. rachel griffithJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    binding can be such a grey area for new quilty peeps.
    glad you are gonna show everyone the in's & out's of binding.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. kmelJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Julie, I want to know more about hand-stitching the back ... how to end a thread without the few stitches behind it loosening up. How to neatly and invisibly stitch down the corners. Thanks! Kim

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bethany SmithJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    When I do small quilts, I don't use continuous binding, but one strip on each side, but my corners never look the way I want them to. Would love some advice. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. VickyJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Looks like you've covered the topics either in your coming-soon or in your previous tutorials. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
  11. MaryJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    Julie, I'd LOVE to know how to do a mitered binding on irregular angles like a tumbler quilt that has not been trimmed down. I'd love to see your hand stitch, too...I like a ladder stitch but I know most people use a whipstitch.

    ReplyDelete
  12. RickiJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    I can't wait for these tutorials! This is one area where I definitely need help. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Little CreatableJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    I would like to know about converting measurements into Metric. I have no idea how to do that.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Linda at Roscoe's MaJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    I would like to hear about what kind of thread to use for hand stitching your binding, one strand or two, what is a neat way to secure the thread when you are at the end of the thread, and how to vary the widths of your binding...always 2 1/2 inch strips for the double fold binding...what about 4 inch? I better go read your other tutorials. You might have already covered these. Thanks for doing this piece on bindings, Julie!

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    I'm looking forward to what you have to say regarding bias strips vs. "regular" strips. Does it really make a difference? I really can't wait for this post. Whenever it is time to bind a quilt, sweat beads start popping up on my forehead. I feel like there have been so many times when I've ruined a quilt that I really loved with a poorly constructed binding. It's heartbreaking!

    ReplyDelete
  16. GinaJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    How about binding around other than 90 degree corners? Say if you want the end of a table runner to be pointed so that the corner is 45 degrees. Or binding around a hex shape. That would interest me.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cameron HJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    I echo the commenter who wants to know about hand stitching the corners down. I can get them pinned down perfectly, but I don't quite understand the best way to stitch them that hides the thread and keeps the corners neat.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Laine from JustPlainLaine.comJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    Don't mean to be repetitious, but corners are such a bear. Mitered and rounded, I just can't seem to get them perfect. Glad to see I'm not alone in this though! :D

    Also, hints on getting the binding straight so when you are hanging on a wall the edges aren't wavy.

    Could go on and on. I am REALLY looking forward to this tutorial. You explain things so well. Thanks in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Loose ThreadsJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Looking forward to your tutorial - there will a tip I just can't live without I'm sure. I love to hand stitch on the binding so how to keep it invisible would be nice. A good tip for corners would be so helpful. Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  20. deseraeJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    I would love tips on machine binding!

    ReplyDelete
  21. SusanJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Another vote here for handing stitching the corners so they lay perfect! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. mascanlonJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    I always feel bad when I see a lovely quilt with bumpy, messy corners. I have to refrain myself from making a comment...lol.

    ReplyDelete
  23. JustPamJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    I would also like to see a tip on machine binding. I am getting better at finishing my binding by machine, but it isn't quite as nice as I would like it to be. I usually have to go over a few places to be sure the stitch in the ditch on the front actually caught the binding in the back.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  24. ChristinaJanuary 29, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    How to bind a scalloped edge. And an inside corner.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AdeleJanuary 29, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Finishing the quilt with the Machine Binding. I don't EVER finish it by hand...and dont ever want to.

    But I would like to become a better Totally binding by machine.

    ReplyDelete
  26. TimolilyJanuary 29, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    I was lucky enough to find an excellent video tutorial which shows you how to hand stitch, but it's true that my binding was very unsightly before I learnt how to 'hide' my stitches. I would be interested to learn how to bind things other than quilts (bags etc..), I find this kind of binding a bit intimidating..

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sara FiedlerJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    I really want to know how to catch the binding on the back in the stitch in the ditch. I always end up hand stitching the back to avoid all my mistakes and that takes such a long time. Thanks.nesteri

    ReplyDelete
  28. BelindaJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    I second or third the requests for instructions/tips on binding around inner/outer corners that aren't 90 degrees like hexagons.

    ReplyDelete
  29. ClaireJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    I love that you're going to do another biding tutorial.....ever since you posted the first one, i've used it for all the quilts i make for now on....i've also started hand stitching the binding to finish up, but i can never seem to get the corners right, so any suggestions on that might be helpful.
    Thanks for this Julie!

    ReplyDelete
  30. JenJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    I love this idea! Can't wait to see the tutorial! I"ll admit I haven't seen your other tutorials about binding, but here's what I'd like to know:

    How much sewing does one need to do on the mitered corners? It seems like I can make the binding strips, sew them on, turn the corners ok, but when it comes to hand-sewing the miters, I choke! I dont' know if I should just sew on the edge, or go into the miter and stitch it down? ARGH!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. DianeYJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Your prior tutorials were so great, I wouldn't know what you need to add! I've noticed a lot of people asked about stitching in the ditch on machine binding. I always machine bind & discovered a simple solution, I think, & that's to iron the binding away from the seam after first attaching it. When I do that I don't ever have the problem of going out of the ditch, or failing to catch the underneath binding. Hope that makes sense!

    ReplyDelete
  32. JenniferJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    I don't need to know anything-- I am a binding master! Humble, right?

    I think a lot of people have questions about how to finish the binding nicely. Most quilters I know do a tucking method rather than continuous binding because they don't know how to join the tails of beginning and ending strips.

    Just a suggestion! I'd do it myself, but I HATE writing tutorials. It's a grand service you do to the quilting community. :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Chocolate CatJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Corners! There can never be enough tutorials for me on them!

    ReplyDelete
  34. JodyJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    I''d love to see more about perfecting machine binding ...thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Canadian KristinJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    HELP NEEDED: I can't seem to make a nice finish on the binding. Either I trim the angles (to fit together) too short and too short or I forget to fold it back to make a nicer finished edge. Totally blows the rest of my hard binding work out of the water to have a yucky finish. [big pout] Would love to hear how you manage this!

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnnJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Great!
    I was just looking up sites to try to remember how to cut/sew a piece to give me a long bias strip. Found one great site but I need some photos to help me understand it all.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Becky (My Fabric Obsession)January 29, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Any tips for the hand stitching part? What kind of stitch do you use? I think I just made my stitch up, I never learned it properly anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  38. PJJanuary 29, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    I, too, would like to learn how to put machine binding on totally by machine. My hand and wrist cannot take the abuse of sewing on by hand anymore. I would like any and all tips that help me sew on a respectable looking binding by machine only with or without a flange. TIA

    ReplyDelete
  39. Canadian KristinJanuary 29, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Help needed: As a no-idea-how-to-sew-but-turned-quilter, another area of interest for me are these three [probably simple] things:

    - sewing blocks so as to make the lines meet up and the block to not go off-centre
    - how to steam-not-iron seams so as to not make the block go off-centre
    - do you line up the short edge or the sewing edge to make a more square quilt/block

    ReplyDelete
  40. harleywife57/ Mickey WhiteJanuary 29, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    I am wondering why most 'professional' quilters don't do a self binding from the back ; is this a no-no in the 'real quilter's world' ; or I'd like to hear what you think about it . Or is it just a preference ? I do like the look of the regular binding , but the self binding saves a lot of time . I'd like to hear what some other quilters think about it also , please !

    ReplyDelete
  41. nonoJanuary 29, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Mitered corners please.

    ReplyDelete
  42. TiffanyJanuary 29, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    I want to learn more about machine binding. I can seem to make the front look good, but the back always looks a little off - I don't always "catch" the binding right.
    Also, what are the pros and cons to machine binding vs hand binding?

    ReplyDelete
  43. QuiltjaneJanuary 29, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Everyone concentrates on the binding but the quilt needs to be perfectly square so the mitred corners turn out perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  44. PunkiePie (Jen)January 29, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    I found a great tutorial on hand stitching the back but would LOVE some great tips on how to machine binging on 100% (front and back) for smaller projects.

    ReplyDelete
  45. PaulineJanuary 29, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Best way to end the binding without the "hump". Folding the top piece of binding over the beginning piece of binding leaves alot to be desired. Sewing the first piece to the last is nice, but how to measure to make it come out even?
    Glad you're tackling this one.
    Thanks,
    Pauline

    ReplyDelete
  46. ShannonJanuary 29, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Advice on hand-stitching the back would be fabulous. I feel like my stitches look like a small child was given a needle, thread, and free range. I am disappointed every time.

    ReplyDelete
  47. SamedayJanuary 29, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    I get so turned around just putting the binding strips together, I never seem to sew them together correctly - it looks easy, but for some reason, I can never remember which way to put the fabric together and then which way to sew it.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Marcia W.January 29, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Use of a scrapy French double fold binding with shorter length strips (say 10-12 inches) (vs long strips).
    Hints and tips for cutting/sewing various prints as binding (stripes, polka dots, etc) so they will look the best, especially as go around corners.
    Curvy bindings vs all straight sides.

    ReplyDelete
  49. JanJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    How about troubleshooting, like what to do when you realize you've cut the binding ends too short so they don't meet or you have a fold/lump or the backside binding is a little too scant in places. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  50. MissyJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    A perfect way to machine sew the binding. I am so NOT hand sewing a binding on a quilt but there has to be a trick. Mine look ..okay.. but I would love any pointers I can get.

    ReplyDelete
  51. JuelsJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    I have trouble on continuous binding with fitting the 2 end together where they meet at the end.

    ReplyDelete
  52. AngieJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    I'd like to know specifically why some quilters choose to make their binding with the grain, and others choose to cut it on the bias. Most books I've looked at say go with the bias...?

    ReplyDelete
  53. KaraJanuary 29, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    I'd like the "complex" binding tutorial on curves, scallops, and wedding ring quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  54. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    I have heard it before that you machine stitch the binding to the top of the quilt and then hand stitch the back. If it is I have made a mistake by machine stitching for both sides together. The top will be perfect while the back will be a bit off is what happends. But I do not cut my own bias tape. I end up buying the quilt binding from Jo-Anns. It would be nice to know how to work with that. Store bought vs. homemade that is. Also thank you for taking the time to do this.

    ReplyDelete
  55. leanneJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Hi Julie - thanks for doing a binding tutorial - I'd really like to see some suggestions on finishing the ends of the binding.

    ReplyDelete
  56. CrystalJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    I would love to know how to bind curves. I'm trying to make the cutest Valentine potholders and I cannot get the binding to work at all. I know that's not really a big quilt project but I'd love your help, please. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  57. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    Alright Julie, I did look over your tutorial on the perfect binding. Totally get it! What I would love to see is how the back is hand stitched. Because even the books that I have gotten from the library do not even show it. Also the binding that I picked up from Jo-Ann's is the double fold bias tape from Writes. I will wait to see your post on that. Also after seeing your tutorial I will probably go on to make my own. It seems to be more cost affective. Thank you again Julie!

    ReplyDelete
  58. PepeJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    How to choose binding colours, irregular bindings, the better large mesure of binding, some tricks to close binding...

    ReplyDelete
  59. Rhonda the RamblerJanuary 30, 2011 at 3:14 AM

    I would like to know how to put a binding on those wall hangings in which I don't want the binding to show in the front. Because I only know how to put binding on one way I can never get the corners right when folding it all the way to the back (the mitered corners are all bunched up).

    ReplyDelete
  60. Debbie B SamJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    Thanks Julie for the link to the first binding for the corners. I've ALWAYS made the mistake of doing the 45 then folding back, but I stitched over the fabric to 1/4" and when I went to do the front, it's always wrong! I don't think I've ever grasped that there is really supposed to be an unstitched flap there until I saw your photo! DOH....I get it now!

    ReplyDelete
  61. ElenaJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Another vote for machine binding! Thanks Julie!

    ReplyDelete
  62. AngelaFebruary 2, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Yes, everyone always shows how to make the corners on the front of the quilt. But I have a problem knowing which way to turn those corners, and also have problems with making the mitered corner on the back. Can you go over your technique for that? I usually end up with my corners folded different directions, and the back always looks a mess.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Julie @ Jaybird QuiltsFebruary 2, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    Angela,

    I can't reply directly to your comment... I did show how to do that in my follow-up post to this one.

    Binding Basics Part 1

    I hope that helps you out!

    ReplyDelete
  64. UnknownMay 31, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Would love to know about how to sew on praire points.

    ReplyDelete
  65. jhenryFebruary 3, 2013 at 8:24 AM

    Would love to know the difference in strength of a flange binding vs a double fold binding.
    Thanks.
    JBinVT

    ReplyDelete
  66. jhenryFebruary 3, 2013 at 8:26 AM

    Trying to figure out if a double fold
    bias is much stronger than a two fabric one. Want to match the top of the quilt with one fabric, the bottom
    of the binding with the bottom fabric.
    Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete

I love comments!