I have 2 queen size quilts and 1 double bed size all waiting for bindings, but I chose to do the small wallhanging instead. It is one of the crooked cobblestone quilts. I use a 3/8" seam for my binding which is the correct seam width for 2 1/2" strips. There is a formula to figure how wide your double binding strips need to be cut. If you know the seam width you want to sew, multiply it by 6 and add 1/4" for the thickness of the quilt. Unfortunately a lot of people cut their bindings 2 1/2" and then sew a 1/4" seam. This either makes a wide flap to pull around to the back or 'empty binding' if they match the folded edge to the stitching line on the back. I always do a test sewing for about 6" with a long stitch that I can pull out. If the binding fabric is a little heavier it might take a scant 3/8" seam where a lighter weight fabric might need the full 3/8".
I love the black & white borders on that quilt. I must copy the idea sometime. I will be able to get back to he machine the 4th of June. Happy thoughts.
A finish is a finish... well done! And some great tips on the binding. I always try to work out what width I need and usually end up too wide or too narrow. Thanks for the tips.
You are a wealth of good information. I never knew there was a formula or that I was doing it right. It is nice to know. I always use a 3/8 inch seam because that is what I get with my needle in the far right position and using the edge of my walking foot as a guide.
Thanks for the great tip Wanda, I have always struggled with my bindings. So many people have told me to cut the binding 2 1/2" wide but then sew it at 1/4" and I have found this to give me not a very attractive binding. Now I know why. In fact the last few I have sewn the seam wider and it came out much nicer. Now I have real facts behind making a binding.
After all these years I have just figured out that 2" is a bit too wide to cut the binding for a 1/4" seam, and I was thinking that I'd try 1 3/4" for the next quilt. And wouldn't you know, that exactly matches the formula!
I always cut my binding 2 1/2 inches and use a 3/8th seam it works every time for me. I like the wall hanging you are binding. Karen http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I've never heard of that binding formula before but I'm going to write that one down. Perfect suggestion and how fun to get a binding on and finished. I love that part of the quilting process:) Laura T
Huh. Whadayaknow. :) The binding formula is interesting and VERY handy for matching the front/back seams up. I think I do every binding differently, depending on the quilt. I guess most end up the same front-and-back, but often I'll purposefully make it wider on the back than the front, or even vice versa. (For example, an inch on the front with 1/4 on the back, but most often the other way around.)
Glad to know the formula for when I want it to match up. No more hoping for the best.
I hope you can convince quilters that 3/8 inch is the seam for a 2 1/2 inch binding. I find that it is "foreign" to quilters who are used to a quarter inch seam and many cannot wrap their head around this concept. I always enjoy your posts.
Love the stripe fabric on your binding. I also do the 2.5 inch binding with a 3/8 inch seam unless I have pieced blocks not the border that require me to do a 1/4 inch seam....then I cut the binding narrower of course.
So frequently I learn something by reading your blog. I knew that a quarter inch was too little for a 2 1/2" binding but I didn't know there was a formula.
Funny you should mention binding. That is what I did today. I bound a quilt top. Tomorrow maybe I will get to the other one. That is if I don't float away with all the rain that we had today.
OMGosh I've been quilting for close to 25 years and have somehow missed that formula for binding!!! makes perfect sense; thank you! I would have picked the smaller one to bind first too-binding is the 'yuck' part of the process for me. :)
I love the black & white borders on that quilt. I must copy the idea sometime.
ReplyDeleteI will be able to get back to he machine the 4th of June.
Happy thoughts.
Wanda, this is a great post. I never thought about this binding formula before. Great! I love the binding you chose for this quilt!
ReplyDeleteA finish is a finish... well done! And some great tips on the binding. I always try to work out what width I need and usually end up too wide or too narrow. Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wealth of good information. I never knew there was a formula or that I was doing it right. It is nice to know. I always use a 3/8 inch seam because that is what I get with my needle in the far right position and using the edge of my walking foot as a guide.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the formula, Wanda! I've always struggled with finding the right mix of seam allowance and binding width.
ReplyDeleteCount me in as cheering for the very informative post! Bindings await!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tip Wanda, I have always struggled with my bindings. So many people have told me to cut the binding 2 1/2" wide but then sew it at 1/4" and I have found this to give me not a very attractive binding. Now I know why. In fact the last few I have sewn the seam wider and it came out much nicer. Now I have real facts behind making a binding.
ReplyDeleteAfter all these years I have just figured out that 2" is a bit too wide to cut the binding for a 1/4" seam, and I was thinking that I'd try 1 3/4" for the next quilt. And wouldn't you know, that exactly matches the formula!
ReplyDeleteYay, Cobblestone quilts!!
I always cut my binding 2 1/2 inches and use a 3/8th seam it works every time for me.
ReplyDeleteI like the wall hanging you are binding.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I've never heard of that binding formula before but I'm going to write that one down. Perfect suggestion and how fun to get a binding on and finished. I love that part of the quilting process:)
ReplyDeleteLaura T
Huh. Whadayaknow. :) The binding formula is interesting and VERY handy for matching the front/back seams up. I think I do every binding differently, depending on the quilt. I guess most end up the same front-and-back, but often I'll purposefully make it wider on the back than the front, or even vice versa. (For example, an inch on the front with 1/4 on the back, but most often the other way around.)
ReplyDeleteGlad to know the formula for when I want it to match up. No more hoping for the best.
Good post, Wanda.
ReplyDeleteI love binding my quilts. And try very hard to make them my very best.
Wanderful way to give a quilt it's sendoff.
hugs
Gerry
I hope you can convince quilters that 3/8 inch is the seam for a 2 1/2 inch binding. I find that it is "foreign" to quilters who are used to a quarter inch seam and many cannot wrap their head around this concept.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your posts.
Love the stripe fabric on your binding. I also do the 2.5 inch binding with a 3/8 inch seam unless I have pieced blocks not the border that require me to do a 1/4 inch seam....then I cut the binding narrower of course.
ReplyDeleteSo frequently I learn something by reading your blog. I knew that a quarter inch was too little for a 2 1/2" binding but I didn't know there was a formula.
ReplyDeleteOooh - thank you for the formula! That's really helpful!
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention binding. That is what I did today. I bound a quilt top. Tomorrow maybe I will get to the other one. That is if I don't float away with all the rain that we had today.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh I've been quilting for close to 25 years and have somehow missed that formula for binding!!! makes perfect sense; thank you!
ReplyDeleteI would have picked the smaller one to bind first too-binding is the 'yuck' part of the process for me. :)
You are a WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING...I never knew that 'math' about the bindings and have had trouble for YEARS!!! I'm gonna try this TONIGHT!!!
ReplyDelete