Quilt Binding by Machine
Many years ago, a quilt shop owner showed me her technique for binding a quilt by machine. I’ve used it ever since because it looks great on the front and the back of the quilt, it’s easy, it’s fast and it’s sturdy. Here’s a tutorial for how I bind my quilts by machine.
- Trim the backing and batting even with the edge of the quilt top as you normally would.
- Cut enough 2.25″-wide binding strips to go around the quilt.
- Join the strips end to end with diagonal seams.
Press the long binding strip in half with wrong sides together as shown.
- Press in half with wrong sides together. So far, this is the same preparation you would do for a binding that’s to be sewn down by hand. But here is where the fun begins!
- Use a walking foot and sew the binding to the back of the quilt. Yup, that’s right. Sew binding to the back of the quilt, not the front.
Use a walking foot to sew the binding to the back of the quilt.
- Miter the corners as you normally would.
- Stop sewing when you’re within about 8″ of where you began, leaving room to join the ends using your favorite method.
- Join the ends and then finish sewing the binding to the back of the quilt.
- Now it’s time to pause and set up your machine for the final step.
- Fill a bobbin with thread to match the backing. In this case, I used a creamy neutral color.
- Thread the top of the machine with invisible monofilament thread. I use the SewArt brand.
- Set your machine for a blind hemstitch. This stitch has a sequence of straight, straight, zig, zag, repeat. I like my stitch length to be 1.0mm and my stitch width to be 1.3mm. You will be pulling the binding from the back of the quilt to the front of the quilt in order to sew it down as shown below.
- Begin toward the middle of one side and secure the binding to the front of the quilt with the blind hemstitch. The straight stitches will be on the quilt, and the zigzag portion will take a little bite into the binding. I drew stitches on the photo below in Photoshop to give you the idea. Of course the actual stitches are much smaller than they look here.
The straight stitches are on the quilt itself, and the zigzag stitches take a little bite into the binding.
- As you come to each corner, stop a few stitches before you reach the raw edges, secure the stitching and cut the threads. As you pull the binding to the front of the next side, the corner will miter naturally. Sew this side down, securing the stitching as you begin. Continue in this manner all the way around the quilt. Secure the stitching at the end.
The bobbin thread matches the backing so the line of stitching blends in nicely.
The photo above shows how the finished binding looks from the back of the quilt. The bobbin thread matches the backing so the line of stitching, which is just inside the binding, blends in nicely.
Here’s a close-up of the binding from the front of the quilt. The blind hemstitch with monofilament is virtually invisible, which is just what you want. It looks even better after a quilt is washed.
If you zoom out just a little, you can see that it looks great. These bindings have stood the test of time on my quilts for close to 20 years. It’s a great technique and I hope you’ll give it a go! Try it on a small quilt for starters. If you have trouble or questions, email me and I’ll be happy to coach you through it. Find my address in the right-hand sidebar.
Some of my best binding tips are featured on a free video from National Quilter’s Circle. Check it out!
Tags: binding by machine, helpful how-tos, how-tos, quilt binding
Alfie
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This is really useful, thanks.
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Judy
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Loved this new way for me!! I will try next week.
Nann
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I always machine-sew bindings! I used to attach them back-to-front but too often the part I pulled over would be more than 1/4″ and thus would obscure edges/points on outer blocks. (Of course with a slab binding it didn’t matter.) Now I sew them on the front, then press and fold over to the back. I use clips to hold the binding down and sew from the front. (Does that make sense? It does to me!….You can tell I don’t think the way tutorial writers write!)
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Nann
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P.S. I almost always use zig-zag stitch to sew the binding down. It’s kind of my signature.
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Sherry Vicznesky
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I wanted to know if u could tell me an easy way to start quilting? I’m just trying to get into it and am a little afraid of it. Is there something I can try to begin, that is easier? Thanks so much.
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Diane Harris
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Hi Sherry, I’d be happy to point you in the right direction. Please send an email to diane@stashbandit.net. Thank you for visiting Stash Bandit!
Candy
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The way I learned was by watching tutorials by Jenny Doan from Missouri Star Quilt Co. They are simple and she makes mistakes just like I do.
Sue ann
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I bought a couple of “quiltology” baby quilt kits. They really taught me most of what I know about quilting, and they are darling! They have them on Amazon.
Nancy
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Sherry I went and joined a quilting guild. If you can do this I highly recommend it. You will learn soooo much there. The women there are all levels of talented, and they are all very willing to share their knowledge with you. Best thing I’ve done in a long time.
Sandra Oravec
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Start with something simple like a table runner. Less overwhelming and time. Then maybe a throw or baby blanket.
Sarah
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Hi Sherry,
I taught myself with YouTube videos. My favorite is Angela Walters – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLjp-yIkiW1qAM-OX4StCCg – she does the Midnight Quilt Show, but she also has in-depth quilting tutorials for free motion quilting. After making quilts for 8 years, i’ve finally decided to overcome my fear of it. Angela Walters really helped with that – she makes mistakes in almost every video and the in-depth quilting videos show how to fix mistakes!
Cindy bockus
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I took a class at a quilt store. Be patient and realize that everyone does not do it the same. Good luck
Grandma G.
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Hi Sherry! I hope you’ve gotten started by now. It’s great fun and you’ll get better as you go. Just remember something my quilting group buddies told me when I first started quilting, “There are no quilt police!” Enjoy the process and have fun with color combinations.
Nancy
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I do the same thing useing the blanket stitch…works great..no hand sewing!
Thanks for sharing.
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Barbara
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It looks to me like you are sewing the binding to the front of the quilt because I see the cross stitching on the part you are sewing the binding to.
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Diane Harris
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Hi Barbara, those cross stitches are printed onto the backing fabric! 🙂 They look real but they’re not.
Terry
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Very useful information. When you are working on the binding do you see straight until you able the piece for the corner. Do you not sew the top part of that angle only the bottom. I have so much bulk in the corners. How can I avoid this. Thank you for your help
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Diane Harris
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Hi Terry, I’m not sure I understand your question, but here are a few thoughts. When attaching the binding, I sew to within 1/4″ of the next side and stop, and backstitch. Then I miter the corner by folding the binding back on itself and continuing to attach to the next side. As far as bulky corners, I do trim off the corners before I fold the binding to the front to sew it down. This takes care of it for me. I hope this helps.
Debra Patton
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I would love to learn how to bind on my machine
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Juanita Taylor
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Hi Sherry, An East way to start quilting is make a quillo. That’s a fast quilt that turns into a pillow. The pattern is in most pattern books in fabric shops.
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Theresa
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Thank you for amazing tip on binding. I’m going to try it.
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June
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I will definitely try this method the next time I make placemats. Thank you.
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Janet L Wilson
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Diane, Enjoyed seeing your video on binding (again as I have see you teach this in person)
The National Quilters Circle was new to me and I will be going there again as well as checking out your site. It’s great to see you doing so well with Stash Bandit!!! Jan
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Diane Harris
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Thank you, Jan! I’m happy to know you visited!
Auntiepatch
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First time visitor but I’m glad I found you. This is a great way to bind a quilt! If I’m in a hurry I bind by machine. If I have the time, I sew it on by hand because I find it relaxing.
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Melody
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I like this method. However, I would not use monofilament thread on baby items. We’re a thread to come loose, it could twist around little fingers and cut off circulation.
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Char
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Help me please, it is a Sunday and I hope you read this today. If not, I would appreciate an answer for future quilts. This is my first time using minky fabric at all I have three pieces to unite. They were “vacuumed along the cut edges” when purchased. The salesperson told me After I called back I asked if I should take Larger seams than the normal1/4”. She said yes go 3/8” but not more. I used the end of the bolt and it will have 2”” extra on all sides instead of the normal 4”. I do see concern. At that point she told me to use polyester thread b/c minky is a synthetic. I hope I have polyester. I do have some rayon; would that work alright? I am at the point of sewing the two sides lengthwise (showing the long edges and sewing end to end and then sewing that to the long basic side piece. ANY help sewing minky material (she said it was a high end product, not like the fabric in discount stores). Please, I need a second opinion. Help. Reassurance. Anything
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Diane Harris
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Hi Char, thanks for your comment and for sharing your questions. I do not have any experience in sewing plush fabrics, so I’m afraid I can’t help you. Generally speaking, I don’t think the fiber content of the thread matters much. The main thing is to sew with something that your machine tolerates. And I would use plenty of pins. And try not to stress over it. You’re certainly learning a lot and I’m sure the quilt will be fine in the end. Good luck!
Lubi
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Hi Char,
I have been sewing with minky for few years now. I mainly use Shannon fabrics minky which is high quality one. In Terms of any help there is few things to keep in mind. Most importantly, use walking foot, it will help to feed the fabric. Make sure you also use ball point needle as minky is stretchy material, polyester threads are recommended and then lots of pins. Minky is slippery so pining well will give you less headache 🙂 there is lot’s of videos on you tube to guide you and possibly a swear more questions you might have. Good luck!
Sue
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I just read the tutorial on quilt bindings. I just finished a quilt and struggled with the binding bunching when I sewed. I used pins, would clips have been a better way to hold fabric straight? I also needed help with mitering corners. It turned out okay but I know that there were mistakes in the binding. Any suggestions for next time?
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Diane Harris
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Thanks for your comment, Sue. Using a walking foot helps a lot with problems like bunching. And practice will help, too. Do you have a book with good instructions for binding? That’s helpful. Or google for a video. It does get easier as you have more experience!
Sandra Lanter
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I have been machine binding like this, however, I picked up two new steps that I will use from your post. I like your stitch better than the zig zag I have been using and I will watch my bobbin thread color. One can always pick up new ideas…Thank you.
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Diane Harris
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Hi Sandra, I’m glad to hear you’ll have new things to try on your machine binding. Thanks for visiting. Quilt on!
Joanne Robinson
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This looks so good and the directions are really clear, can’t wait to use it on my current project….will save me and my fingers many hours of toil! Thanks.
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Deb
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I like to machine sew the binding but haven’t found the perfect way yet. I have an issue with the binding kinda rolling up on the front if you don’t sew close enoughto the edge. The blanket stitch should take care of that 🙂 However, when you get to the corners do you go up the diagonal or just round the corner? Your post may have said to break thred and start down the ither side….
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Diane Harris
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Hi Deb, thanks for your question. I use a walking foot when I attach the binding, and when I sew it down on the front. It’s a necessity to keep things nice and smooth. At the corners, I miter them the same way I would if I was sewing by hand. I make certain to anchor the machine stitches in place when I start and stop at each corner. Maybe I will do a photo tutorial to show the corners in detail. Thank you for visiting Stash Bandit!
Suzanne H
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Diane, thanks so much for sharing. I’m new to quilting and about to finish up my first lap-size quilt for my great niece for Christmas. I have not completed the hand quilting yet, but once I do, I’m going to use this technique for the binding. Ironically, I just ordered some invisible thread today (before reading this post) because I’m planning to buy a new sewing machine soon with a hand stitch setting. I can’t wait to try this binding technique out, and thanks again for sharing!
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Diane Harris
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Hi Suzanne, I’m happy to meet you. Welcome to the world of quilting! I hope it brings you many happy hours of enjoyment. Thank you for visiting Stash Bandit. 🙂
Suzanne
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Neat!!! I’ve bound quilts this way but never thought to use invisible thread on the top. I’m just finishing a wall hanging as a Christmas present for my daughter and this will a great way to bind it.
Thank you so much!
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Diane Harris
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I hope it works well for you, Suzanne! 🙂
Jen
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Hello, I have a question about the thread. I purchased the monofilament thread a while ago but have been afraid to use it, does it ever behave differently than other threads? I guess I need to practice on some scraps with it, every time I think about it the project I am working on is too important to make a mistake on. Any tips for working with it?
Thanks!
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Diane Harris
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Hi Jen! I do think the monofilament can behave differently depending on your machine. From what I’ve observed, I think the most commonly needed adjustment is to loosen the top tension. Yes, great idea to try it on a practice piece. Best of luck to you!
Pat Lucas
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FYI – using monofilament thread on childrens clothing, bedding – including quilts – in a commercial setting is against the law. This thread is a strangle threat and can also come loose or break and has been known to get wrapped around a toe and no one sees it until too late. I just figure that if those concerns exist in the commercial world, that’s good enough for me. I dont use it on any quilt I make for fear of it harming a child.
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joy caryl bach
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Thanks for the tip. I have done this with a fancy machine stitch that worked great. Really good for baby quilts that get washed alot.
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