Humble Quilts Swap & Binding Tutorial

My little swap quilt (Humble Quilts) arrived at its destination so I can reveal it now. I named it “Sweet 116” because it has 116 different prints in the blocks and border. The border print is from one of my favorite Barbara Brackman lines, "Metropolitan Fair".

I used one of my favorite cheater prints for the back. 

Andrea (the recipient) asked me how I get my binding corners so precise so I thought I would do a quick tutorial here.

When you are making “potholder” blocks it is particularly important that your corners are sharp and crisp. If your corner is at all rounded, you will have a gap at your intersection which you will have to fill with a yo-yo or other such clever “fix”. I speak from a great deal of experience in the trial and error method!!

I use a single straight (not bias) grain binding. I cut my strips 1 ¼” wide. I leave about 2” “tail” at the beginning and start stitching the binding down. At the corner I simply fold the miter over and stitch. It is important to make sure that the fold is in line with the top edge of the quilt (or block in this case). 

If the fold does not meet the top edge – like this

 

Your corner will be rounded - like this - argh! 

If you come all the way to the top edge – like this

Your corners will be crisp and perfect! - like these 

When I come to the end, I leave another 2” “tail”. Then I fold back each edge until they meet and then finger press.  You can finish at an angle, but I simply stitch straight across which, because of the single binding creates almost no bulk.

Then pin, pick it up and take it to the machine. I stitch one or two thread widths to the left of the crease. That way I get a little “camber” so that when I stitch it down, I won’t have a pucker in the binding.

Trim to 1/4" seam allowance and stitch down.

I’ve had so many comments over the years. What??? You don’t use bias? What??? You use single width? What??? You don’t miter your seams? Nope, nope, nope, but then this is MY method, not the ONLY method. I taught myself how to do it this way after seeing hundreds of antique quilts with single, straight grain bindings. I just like the sleek look of it.

Hope this helps Andrea! I’m glad you like the little quilt.

Thanks Lori (Humble Quilts) for hosting this swap again. I am looking forward to seeing what comes my way! Lori will be doing a link up soon so we can enjoy them all!