*Binding Tutorial 1* Making Binding Tape
Welcome, Creative Quilters, to the Binding tutorial series! I am so glad you are here to learn with me! In this series I am going to share how to make and attach perfect binding for your quilt projects. There are total 2 posts in this series. Make sure to check out each post to finish up your quilts!
Binding Series
Preparing Binding Tape (This post)
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Before Cutting
For binding, I normally use a piece of fabric with its full width which is about 42”, or a square block for bias tape (I will explain more below). Although I starch all of my fabrics before cutting for piecing, I do not starch the fabric for binding. And, here is why. If you starch the fabric, as you know it stiffens the fabric, which will create stiff tape and make harder for me to maneuver/ease the tape while sewing. Also, when you fold and iron the starched tape, it will create very crisp folded line that could look unblended with the quilt.
Once you choose the fabric for binding, iron the entire surface with steam. Then, fold the fabric in half and give another good steam ironing.
2. Cutting and Joint Strips on the Grain
Before cutting, decide if you need binding tape on grain or bias. If your quilt is a rectangular, which many quilts are, cutting on the grain works well.
Simply cut straight strips as many as needed. From 1/2 yd, you will get (8) 2 1/4” strips or (7) 2 1/2” strips.
2. There are two different ways to joint the strips - straight or diagonally. I prefer the diagonal since it is less bulky and looks continuous. But, I use the straight joint often for small projects. First, trim the selvage. Sew two strips with right side together (1/4” seam allowance).
To continuously chain piece together, grab the end of the strip on top from the previously sewn strip set. Turn it over to face up, align with a new strip right side together.
Chain Piecing
To connect them diagonally, align the strip perpendicularly, and sew diagonally.
After chain piecing, trim the seam to 1/4”, and press to open.
3. Cutting and Joint strips on the Bias
If your quilt has round corners, then you will need to cut the strips on bias. It takes a few steps. Please see the steps below carefully.
1. Cut a piece of fabric into a square. I prefer making two squares from 5/8 yard fabric (with WOF 42”). It will make (2) 21” squares, and I use one at a time.
2. Cut the square in half diagonally. If your square is too big for your ruler, fold the square diagonally to make a Half Square Triangle. Give a finger press. Then, fold the triangle in half again. Trim about 1/8” from the folded side.
3. Turn around the triangles (make a parallelogram) to match the seams to sew. Then, right side together sew with 1/4” seam allowance.
4. Press the seam to open. Bring one edge over to the center making sure the bottom sides are aligned. And, bring the other edge to the center in the same manner to make a manageable side to cut into strips. Square up the bottom side if needed.
5. From there, cut the strips into your preferred width.
6. To joint the strips, match the end of each strip as shown and sew. Trim the dog ears. Press seams to open.
7. Once I connect all the strip, I iron the tape in half.
I hope this helps you with making binding tapes, and let me know if you have any questions. I will see you in the next post! Thank you!
