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Finishing Your Quilt Project
with a Traditional Binding

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A traditional binding covers the edges of your quilt project with a single layer of fabric. This is a less bulky binding and is most suitable for smaller projects that will not receive heavy wear … wall hangings 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 ½” 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. Fold the binding in half lengthwise and press.

Fold each raw edge to the center and press again.

Sewing the binding: It is easiest to begin binding a quilt on a straight edge away from a corner. With the quilt top right side up and the binding right side down, carefully match a single layer of the binding to the cut edge of the quilt. Sew a single layer of the binding to the quilt, following the crease ½” from the edge. Stop sewing ½” 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 ½” from the corner and secure the seam. Fold the binding at the corner as shown in the diagram. Begin sewing ½” 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 use a similar method but cut the ends at a 45° angle.

Finishing the binding: Fold the binding over the edge of the quilt. Fold the binding along the crease lines to cover the quilt edge and tucking the raw edge in under the binding. Hand stitch the folded edge to the back of the quilt using a blindstitch or slipstitch. At each corner, fold the binding into a miter and secure.

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