using the backing for binding

[Frances L.]

My DD and I are making quilts with the same fabric. This is the first quilt that she has totally finished on her own. She has said that she wants my help to sew down the binding on the back because she isn't really good at that kind of hand sewing. I know there is a method of making the back of the quilt a little larger than the top and after quilting, folding the back around to the front to bind the quilt. Can anyone tell me how to do this?
Frances in Austin

[Frances L.]

I did it once, although I don't know if I did it technically "right". What I did was trim my batting and front flush by sliding my rotary mat over the backing material and cutting only the top and batting. Next I trimmed my backing 2" out from my top - I have a 2" wide 18" ruler I used for this. Next I folded my backing corners in toward the top and pressed, then folded my sides in till they just touched the top and pressed. I may have done that twice - its been years and I can't remember for sure. Finally I wrapped the backing around the front edge and used a hem stitch on my machine to tack it down, although if I had it to do over again I would do it by hand.

Like I said before though, nobody taught me how to do this so this might not be the right way, I just was trying something new to see how it would work. You may find better instructions or a demo somewhere else. You might try You Tube :wink:

[Gloria H.]

One of the first things I did was a sampler wall hanging. I didn't know beans and brought the back around to the front and hand stiched it. I have that wall hanging in our bonus room on the wall. I love it but the points float or disappear, some of the blocks are wonky and that turned to the front backing is really awful. I think it can be done and look decent but it would take more precision to get it right. And haven't we banned the quilt police? I say go for it.

[Gloria H.]

There's a good online reference on how to self-bind a quilt at the link http://quilting.suite101.com/article...ing_your_quilt

[Gloria H.]

I use the self binding method alot because I'm usually in a big hurry and this is the fastest method for me. I too trim the batting not quite flush with the quilt top - I leave enough of the batting to fold over with the backing. I want a little batting inside the binding, especially if the quilt is going to used alot.

Then I trim the backing fabric to about 2 inches (depends upon how wide of a binding you want). I like my binding to be about 1/4", so you would trim your quilt top to3/4" which would allow for the 1/4" to fold under and press and the 1/4" to bold up to the top and stitch down.

I usually, not always, then machine stitch in the ditch along the the binding edge. I like a sticted edge on the back side. That's just my preference.

Hope this helps.

Vonna