Sewing Binding Onto Baby Quilt

I always sew the binding onto the front and then bring it round to the back and hand sew. I find this quicker than trying to machine both back and front, as it takes ages to undo the wonky stitching!

I also baste the binding down before the hand stitching - saves being spiked by pins and makes sure the binding stays put while you sew (saves having to undo the hand sewing!!.

Sally at the Seaside~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~uk

Brenda J. wrote:

Hi Brenda, are you using double-fold binding? Machine sew the binding to the front side of the baby quilt as you did for the 1st quilt that you made -raw edges together and quarter inch seam allowance - fold the binding (folded edge) over to the backside of the quilt where you will see your line of stitches - the edge of the binding should cover this stitchline by approx 1/8". Either straight pin from the quilt front through the ditch catching the backside of the binding or use 'hairsnaps' (quilt clips) to hold the binding in place. Machine stitch from the front following the ditch line using straight stitch or experiment with embroidery stitches that your machine might have. jennellh

Take a look at Sharon Schamber's method She uses Elmer's School Glue for basting the back side of the binding down. I think there is also a video of the procedure on her website.

Julia in MN

Brenda J. wrote: >> I have been working on a baby quilt for my new granddaughter and I am down

Ok well you asked, there is no right way. I sew mine by machine only. You sew the back side on first, the flip and sew the front side down. You will see the stitching on the back from sewing the front side down. However I also have not been mitering my corners. I cut at each corner then just fold it under slightly to finish. Have a look at some of mine. Take Care Joanna

Brenda J. wrote:

You may have missed my adventure but recently I used water-soluble for the upper thread to baste the binding in place before the 2nd trip around. It was a little trouble but the quilt was a very special one. I might not bother for a quilt that's going to be used as a tent, a Batman cape and to dry the dog. You choose your battles. Polly

Me, too, Sally!!

I've never been terribly successful with 'short-cuts' in any context >gg< . In message , Sally Swindells writes

On Jul 29, 4:12=EF=BF=BDpm, "Brenda J." wro= te:

=BF=BDI think I

I always machine finish baby quilts, as the binding is the first to come loose on a much-beloved (and washed) quilt. Trim the quilt first. Sew the double-fold binding on to the back, mitering the corners, just as you would if you were on the front. I press the binding away from the quilt. Then bold over to the front (so you can see the stitching line) and sew down, using a buttonhole stitch. It's a real design feature, particularly if you use a varigated thread. The only time I hand stitch a binding down is if it's a very very special quilt or a period piece. joan p.s. Our store manager who binds most of our store samples does hers differently. She sews the binding on the front first, then flips it over and sews it down using invisible thread in both the bobbin and top. Doesn't show at all!

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

Brenda J. from MS

I always machine finish baby quilts, as the binding is the first to come loose on a much-beloved (and washed) quilt. Trim the quilt first. Sew the double-fold binding on to the back, mitering the corners, just as you would if you were on the front. I press the binding away from the quilt. Then bold over to the front (so you can see the stitching line) and sew down, using a buttonhole stitch. It's a real design feature, particularly if you use a varigated thread. The only time I hand stitch a binding down is if it's a very very special quilt or a period piece. joan p.s. Our store manager who binds most of our store samples does hers differently. She sews the binding on the front first, then flips it over and sews it down using invisible thread in both the bobbin and top. Doesn't show at all!

Aha! Brenda, I see you signed 'from MS'. Where in Mississippi are you ?- and you don't have to be so specific that the muggers and looters have an easy target. Did you introduce yourself and I missed it? There are two other Mississippi quilters here; Kate T's on one side down at the bottom and I'm on the other. . . and then there's Donna who's in NE LA so she's sort of close to us. We welcome new folks and are particularly nosy about your QIs and chocolate preferences. Polly

"Brenda J." Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.