A step-by-step tutorial on how to make quilt binding simple. This step-by-step guide will show you the easy way to make a straight-of-grain quilt binding.
There are two types of quilt binding. The straight-of-grain of grain binding and the bias binding. Plans are in the works for a bias-binding tutorial but for now, let’s walk through the steps to make straight-of-grain binding.
I have a more detailed post about how to cut and manage yardage which I will link below.
For now, I will briefly walk through how to cut strips from yardage to make binding.
Cut, Cut, Cut
Step 1 – Iron your fabric so there are no wrinkles. Ironing hard fabric creases can be difficult to remove. Do your best to make sure these are flat and ironed as best as possible.
Step 2 – Fold your fabric in half from the selvage edge to the selvage edge with the wrong side touching. Line up your ruler on the folded edge of your fabric.
Step 3 – Make a straightening cut in the fabric. You will use this new straight edge to measure and cut the rest of your fabric strips.
Step 4 – Rotate your mat so the straight edge is on the left side. Line up your ruler on the 2 1/2” line and cut. Set your 2 1/2” strip of fabric to the side.
Continue to cut as many fabric strips as you need to make your binding. Refer to your quilt pattern to find out how many strips you need to cut.
Quilter's Note
I highly recommend beginners start out by making binding at 2 1/2” wide strips. Most patterns use this since it gives the quilter more options and that all-important wiggle room.
After you have cut all the fabric strips that you would need it is now time to take your fabric strips and turn them into binding.
Sewing Strips
Step 5 – Lay your first fabric strip right side up. Grab your second fabric strip and lay it right side together. Refer to the picture below.
Think of this step as forming the upper right corner of a picture frame. It helps me anyway…
Step 6 – You could draw a line or use diagonal seam tape as pictured below. Sew a diagonal line starting from the upper left corner down to the lower right corner of the fabric.
You will repeat Steps 5 and 6 with your remaining strips. The remaining steps will show you how you can chain piece your fabric strips together.
Step 7 – Fold over the end of the strip you have just sewn so that it is right-side up. Refer to the picture below.
Step 8 – Lay your next fabric strip right sides together. Again make sure the fabric looks like the upper right corner of a picture frame. Sew these strips together as you did in Step 6. Repeat these steps until you have sewn all your binding strips together.
Now that your fabric strips are all connected snip the thread between each of your sewn pieces.
Quick Trim
Step 9 – Trim your fabric 1/4” away from the seam. Snip off the remaining dog ears on the seam.
Dog Ears – sometimes called by other names refers to the smaller triangular pieces of fabric that if not snipped would stick out and away from your project. Some quilters think the triangular pieces look like a dog’s ears hence the same.
Trim all of your seams as described in Step 9.
Pressing
Your strips are connected, your seams have been trimmed, and now it is time to press. Your iron should be set at the cotton setting which is generally the hottest setting on the iron.
Step 10 – Set the seam by laying your hot iron onto the seam you have sewn. Leave it there for a couple of seconds and set your iron aside.
Step 11 – Once the seam has cooled down for a couple of seconds finger press your seam open. Then grab your iron and set your iron on the open seam. Do this to all of your seams.
Pressing your seams open reduces the bulk of your seam around the edge of your quilt.
Step 12 – Go to the end of the strip, fold it in half with the wrong sides together, and press. You will press the entire length of your strip in half.
Once this is complete. Congratulations!! You have made quilt binding! Do a happy dance because you are so close to completing your first quilt.
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