How to self bind a quilt using the quilt backing

For a full description of standard double fold quilt binding click on quilt binding.


An easy method of binding is to make the backing bigger than the top of the quilt and fold it forwards over the quilt top to bind the raw edges of the quilt.  This is known as self binding the quilt.






I always have the wadding and backing bigger than the quilt top to allow for any shrinkage or movement during quilting, whether I am self binding the quilt or not.

For this example I used wadding about 1" wider than the quilt top all round and backing about 2" wider than the quilt top all round.
When you have finished quilting, trim the wadding to about 1/4" from the edges of the quilt top and the backing to about 1.1/2" from the edges of the quilt top.


Fold the backing in to the edge of the quilt top and then fold it again so that the fold in the backing lies on top of the quilt, overlapping by about 1/2".  Doing the self binding  this way means that you have the added protection of 2 layers of fabric around the edge, and you have a fold to sew so there's no time consuming folding under of the raw edge.

The quilt self binding can be sewn in place either by machine or by hand.  I personally prefer hand sewing binding, but machine is definitely quicker!


There are 2 ways of treating the corners when self binding - there are probably many more than 2, but I have 2 for you in this article.

If you prefer a mitred corner on your self binding, clip 1" off the corner of the backing and turn the remaining edge in over the quilt top as shown.



Fold the backing to the left of the corner over twice as for the rest of the self binding.  Do the same again for the binding to the right of the corner. The corner should now have a neat mitre ready for sewing.



The other method for dealing with the self binding corner is more straightforward.  Fold the binding under twice right up to the corner.  Then fold the binding on the next edge in twice, taking care to keep the corner square.  You have several layers of fabric there now so you might need to tuck in any bit that isn't following the line of the corner.

The beauty of the self binding method is that you can sew all the way round without taking your quilt out of the machine and there is no joining the ends of the binding to cope with.

Disadvantages are perhaps that you don't have a 'frame' for the back of the quilt and you have fewer colour choices.



rose@ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk

www.ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk