Run 'n Stitch: Binding Tutorial

Ok, so I'm a late bloomer. I have been quilting since 1978 by putting together interesting fabrics to make blankets. One included a satin and cotton combination and all hand quilted. Remember the days. My first cotton baby quilt was a log cabin for my first child 37 years ago. I truly love to make quilts. I am not a great student when it comes to quilting however. I am self taught and I rarely follow patterns to the letter, which causes all kinds of challenges -believe me. So, binding has been a challenge. I like my binding to have diagonal seams. I have tried different ways to make my bindings and many have resulted in binding that's too short or too long or lumpy. I would panic every time I think of having to put a binding on a quilt. After 40 years of quilting, I finally sat down and attempted to solve my binding problem. This is what I came up with. It may be a tried and true method for everyone, like I said, I'm a late bloomer.

1. When you sew your binding onto the quilt, start just below the middle of the side of the quilt. Make sure you have at least 12 inches of un-sewn binding at the start of your binding.

2. Sew the binding around the quilt using the standard method. Stop sewing 12 inches before the two ends join.

3. Open your binding and using a small ruler, make a 45 degree diagonal cut on one side of the binding strip

4. Lay your small cutting board on top of the quilt where you are cutting your binding strips. Put the the uncut binding strip on top of the board and then lay the cut strip on top of the uncut strip. using your small ruler, measure 1/2 inch from the top edge of the diagonal strip and mark the uncut strip.

5. Move the cut strip out of the way. Using the marking as a reference point, lay your small square on the uncut strip. Be sure your cutting the diagonal the right way. I've made this mistake.

6. After your two sides are cut, sew your binding pieces together. Having a large opening helps with this step. Twelve inches is a bare minimum. I generally leave a much larger opening between the two ends of the binding.