Pat Sloan Machine Binding tutorial

I love to do my binding on the machine. It's fast, it's sturdy and I save my handwork for other tasks!

If you are not familiar with making the binding refer to the back of any of my books.  I am cutting my binding 1 1/2" wide, then ironing over 1/4" on one long side. You can use double binding for this technique. Or CLICK HERE to American Patchwork & Quilting for a basic binding tutorial

You sew the binding to the quilt JUST like you normally do.

But you are starting on the BACK as you will pull it forward to the front to finish

I use a 1/4" or a BIT wider Seam allowance.

• use a blanket stitch for the stitching on the front.

• make the stitch about 3.5 x 3.5 (do a test on your machine for the size stitch that works)
• use your walking foot
• REVERSE your blanket stitch. Most need reversed so that the quilt is on the LEFT and NOT inside the throat of the machine.

Once the binding is sewn on turn the quilt over.

Now you are going to be pulling the binding to the front and using a Blanket stitch to secure it.

The goal is to stitch ON or NEXT TO the stitch line of the binding. That way your back looks nice. The stitch line will be UNDER the binding.

Start on the side and sew sew sew... (I'm using a stilleto to hold and point. You can also use a seam ripper)... back to sew sew sew until....

you get to the corner. Fold the binding once......

And then again. I stitch UP TO the corner and try and catch the fold right where the pointer is.

Turn and continue down the next side.

**WATCH THE VIDEO!**

When you are done. hand stitch the 4 corners closed. Stitch both the front and the back, just like you do for hand binding, but faster!

This is what the back of your blanket stitching looks like when you stay ON the stitch line

If you pull the binding on the front too far away from the stitch line, then the back has a gap.

This is NOT the end of the world, but some people prefer a tighter finished look.

BIG TIP - I recommend you do a test strip with your binding size, size of binding and seam allowance. This way you can adjust the cut size of your binding to fit your stitching style.

I hope you try this method of binding. If you do, write me an email and send me a photo!

Sometimes when you are done your binding might have a bit of a wave to it. The solution is to wash the quilt and that relaxes the stitches. If you can't wash it, then steam the binding edge and it will flatten out.

Now go bind some quilts!

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CLICK HERE TO Download Pat Sloan's Machine binding Tutorial PDF

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Comments

[Aline]

OMG I don't feel so guilty now. I've been machine stitching the binding for quite a while as well as using the backing fabric as the binding by extending the amount of fabric used and folding over. Thanks so much for showing and sharing.

[Pam]

What a godsend idea, I have always done hand stitching on the binding but this will be much more durable, we use our quilts and launder them more than most.

[Bunny]

Thanks for this tutorial, this would be great for placemats too.

[Sheila]

I just found this tutorial and I am so excited to find a method to machine bind. I have tried to do binding on the machine, and have never be satisfied with it. This is a great tutorial and I am trying it on some potholders I have made. Then on to baby quilts! Thank you very much.

[Dawn Hollingsworth]

Great tutorial! I have been "cheating" on my binding for ages, even, occasionally using the backing fabric itself! However, if I do use binding, I either try stitching in the ditch or, try attaching front and back at the same time; not an easy task, at least for me. I love the idea of the decorative stitch!! Thank you so much for sharing :)

[Georgia Manning Lewis]

Can't wait to try it. I make special potholders for microwaved food, and I dread the binding. Now I am looking forward to trying this.
I also design patterns, www.bucketsgonewild.com, and I try to avoid the need for binding.

[Mesmerize]

Thanks for the clear, concise tutorial. This is the only machine binding method that I have seen that produces a finished product that is neat and professional looking. I'm going to use this for small, utilitarian items like placemats, potholders etc. I still like the hand bound work for quilts.

[lynne s of oz]

Oh, how useful this will be! It will take much less time to sew on the binding... Thanks!

[Judy Blinkenberg]

Thank you Pat. I always hand stitch and when I have tried sewing a straight line it looks bad. The blanket stitch is a neat way to try. And I have always used a 2.5 binding and folded it. Using a smaller piece and folding it over is a great way to save fabric. Thank you foe these great tips.

[SisterTammie]

It is nice to see someone else that does the binding the way I do. I use any of my neat stitches on my machine for the front of the binding. It hides me not always staying on the line on the back side. And it makes the quilt rock. Thanks for sharing your way, Love the quilt

[Jessica Shingleton]

My sewing machine also has the blanket stitch, but I don't see a feature on it where I can do a reversible blanket stitch. I am way excited about this because I think I can make some great family gifts for Christmas using these tips. Great advice. I really appreciate it.

[cindy]

Wonderful tutorial... with Christmas just around the corner a several projects to do. I was thinking about binding, this morning and how much I hate hand sewing the binding! Love your tutorial, I will certainly give it a try!

Happy quilting,
Cindy

[Rhonda Scott]

Dear Pat,

I love all of your patterns and help! You are a special lady. Thank you so much. I am a beginner and will be visiting often...lol.

Thank you~Rhonda

[kathy]

love this .never thought of this.......but will do it

[Joanie Schwarzbeck]

What a great idea! I like to machine bind when I'm in a hurry to give the quilt away as a gift! I never thought to do it back to front! You do rock!!