quilting binding?

Question

once iv finished the front of my patch work quilt do i need to sew it to the backing material then sew on the binding for extra security or can i just pin the front and the back together and sew them as i sew the binding on? im new to quilting and im not sure.

Answer 1

Check out this website, they have lots of info:

http://www.quilterscache.com

Answer 2

Sew through the three layer quilt sandwich -- pieced top, batting, and backing -- then put on the binding.

Here is a link to basic quilting techniques, including binding instructions: http://quiltersvillage.com/basic/
Here is another site with binding instructions: http://quilting.about.com/od/bindingaquilt/ss/binding_strips.htm

Answer 3

Quilters do it both ways depending on which they prefer or which they feel works best for a particular quilt and its future use.
(Btw, if you pin only, be sure to put the pins in perpendicular to the sides, and also put them in just a few inches apart to make sure things don't shift while you're sewing.

You didn't mention batting, but I'm assuming you're using at least a thin batt (or blanket or something) between the quilt front and its backing. If you use thick batting, sewing the parts together (also the binding) will be somewhat more difficult ,but will give you a puffier quilt.
You also didn't say if you were also going to be "tying" the quilt sandwich here and there once it's put together, or actually "quilt" the sandwich by hand or machine (best to use a thin batt if quilting), or maybe you weren't planning to do either and just leave the layers loose which is pretty unusual. Usually quilts are at least tied to make sure the 3 parts stay together and the quilt stays flat, and in that case a thick batting is okay.

As for sewing the 3 parts together (front, batting, backing), it can be done in several ways....it also can be done together with the binding, or the binding can be added after the "sandwich" is sewed together around the perimeter.

Here's something I wrote once which is kind of a summary of the various possibilities for making the quilt sandwich and for the bindings:

(quickie) INSIDE OUT method
(…order of layers = top, back, batting... here the front and back will face each other though, until turned)
...sew around perimeter leaving a short area on one side unsewn ... turn quilt inside out through that short area ...stitch short open area together by hand
one example: http://www.fabriclandwest.com/quilters%20corner/Birthing_quilt.htm
BINDING possibilities for inside out method (afterward):
.....bind with binding strips as below
.....stitch near edge for "fake" binding (easiest)
.........just sew a line of stitching around perimeter of completed quilt sandwich near outer edges/seam (from front side of quilt) --this will create a puffy area all along the edges, but the faux “binding” will be the same fabric not a different color or different fabric as with strips or other bindings

(traditional) SANDWICH
(…order of layers = top, batting, back)
…BINDING possibilities:
*folded-over*
….fold excess quilt backing to front, then handstitch or machine-stitch (with or without a bit of the untrimmed batting folded in it)
….fold excess quilt top to back, then handstitch or machine-stitch (with or without untrimmed batting?)
*straight-grain strips*
……one long strip attached around all 4 sides…or 4 strips, attached separately
……single-fold, or double fold
*bias-grain strips* (more durable, but not necessary)
…..cut strips on bias (from diagonally-folded square of fabric), then sew strips together
…..cut continuous bias binding (from off-set and marked “tube” of fabric)


You can find much more info on the web re how to put the quilt sandwich together and how to add binding... just do a search for:

quilt binding
OR
quilt sandwich

Another thing that would help you alot as a new quilter is to join one of the online (free) groups for quilters... the purpose is to ask and answer questions, share ideas, give support, etc. There's one message board on the HGTV website that I know of you should like... here's a link to all the HGTV boards, though you may have to sign up (free) to "join" before you can actually post anything:
http://boards.hgtv.com/eve
... then look under Crafts, for the "Quilting and Needlework" board

Good luck!

Diane B.

Answer 4

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