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Finishing Your Quilt Project
with a French Binding

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A French binding creates a double layer of fabric over the edge of your quilt. This is the most durable binding and is commonly used on larger quilts. It will add durability to the edges of any quilted project that will get heavy use … bed quilts and tote bags for example.

Cutting the binding strips: The binding should be cut on the bias if it must follow a curve. If the quilt edges are straight, there is no need to use a bias strip for binding. For a 3/8” binding, cut 2” strips. The length of your binding strips should measure the distance around your quilt plus 9”.

Preparing the binding: Join the strips together at a 45° angle. Press the seams open.

Fold the binding in half lengthwise and press.

Sewing the binding: It is easiest to begin binding a quilt on a straight edge away from a corner. Working with the quilt right side up, carefully match the two cut edges of the binding to the cut edge of the quilt. Sew the binding to the quilt about 5” from the end of the strip of binding, leaving a ¼” seam allowance. Stop sewing ¼” from the corner and secure the seam.

Folded mitered corners: A mitered corner creates a diagonal fold in the binding to create a neat finish. As you approach a corner, stop sewing ¼” from the corner and secure the seam. Fold the binding at the corner as shown in the diagram. Begin sewing ¼” from the fold, making sure to secure the seam. Continue to the next corner and repeat.

Joining the ends of the binding: Cut the end of your binding so it overlaps the beginning piece by 1”. Turn the edge of the end under ½”. Tuck the other end of the binding inside the finished end. Secure with small stitches. To reduce bulk, you may wish to cut the ends at a 45° angle.

Finishing the binding: Fold the binding over the edge of the quilt to cover the back of the quilt to the stitching line. Trim the edge of the quilt slightly if necessary. Hand stitch the folded edge to the back of the quilt using a blindstitch or slipstitch.

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