Over the many years that I have been quilting, the binding has always given me the hardest time. I have tried many methods and this is what I do that works for me.

It’s a combination of bits and piees of many different techniques.

First, cut 1-3/4″ strips of your binding fabric. I don’t bother with bias cutting but you can if you like.

To get enough binding this is how I calculate:

measure the top edge and one side, add them together, multiply x 2 (total of all 4 sides) 30 + 50 = 80, 80 x 2 = 160

Divide your total by 42 (WOF), this will give you the number of strips you need. 160 / 42 = 3.8, round up to 4 strips

Multiply number of strips x 1.75, this is how much fabric you need . 4 x 1.75 = 7, you will need 7″ xWOF to cut enough strips

Sew all your strips end to end, right sides together with 1/4″ seam alowance. The seam allowance will use 1.5″ of your inding. Because you rounded up, you have 168″ of binding and need 160″. If this is too snug for your liking, cut another strip to add.

Trim off selvedge edges, I do this after I sew the ends together but you can do it before.

Place your binding strip right sides together with your quilt sandwich, either front or back, your choice. I did back in this one.

I like to start a couple inches down one side, leaving a tail at the top for later.

When you get to the corner, stitch right to the edge of the quilt then backstitch 1/4″. For me this is usually 3-4 stitches but it depends onthe stitch length you are using.

Raise the presser foot, needle down, and pivot the quilt, flip the binding up on the side you just stirched and fold the unsewn binding strip 90degrees and line it up on the new edge. You should have a diagonal fold from the corner and your presser foot should line up to start the next 1/4″ seam. Continue sewing to the next corner and repeat until you get around the last corner.

Once you are around the last corner, you should be approaching your beginning. Fold the starting tail towards yourself where you started stitching, lay the ending tail along the quilt eddge. Where they meet, put a pin in. Now you can sew your ends together stitching on the pin line. You may find it easier to draw a pencil line on each and match them up.

Once sewn, check that your binding will lie flat and be the right length to finish off. Stitch the last couple inches of binding and trim your ends.

Turn your quilt over and flip your binding.

Fold the binding towards the quilt, lining up the raw edge with the stitching you just did. Fold the binding to the other side, the raw edge should be tucked into the seam allowance on the first side you stitched on (in my case the back)

Binding folded to the front.

Use the clips to secure the binding. Here is where you can check the ‘depth’ of your binding by lining up the ends of the clips on front and back.

Stitch down . I use the inner side of the binding as my guide and try to stay 1/8″ or less from that edge.

Happy quilting!