Tutorial – Using the Quilt Backing as Binding

The lovely binding on the Space Quilt that I finished last month was actually serving double duty on this quilt. It was also the backing!

Now using your backing as your binding is quite simple if you follow a few simple rules. Do not quilt to the edge of your border. You always want to stop quilting at least 1 inch from the edge of the quilt top. This is because when you trim the quilt up you are going need to fold the backing onto itself as far out of the was as possible then trim the batting to the size of the top. If you haven’t done this you may accidentally cut your backing and then you are toast…ask me how I know!

The top left picture shows your quilt simply laid on the cutting table, top right shows you pulling the backing onto itself, right side together, pull it back as far as you can without stretching. The bottom left picture shows how the fabric is folded under the quilt. The bottom right picture shows that the batting is now trimmed to the size of the quilt top.

All the trimming is done using a large ruler and your rotary cutter. Remember to be extremely careful not to cut your backing!

Next you will trim down your backing. I trim mine down to 1.25″.Moving forward I will be referring to this as the binding. Next is the easiest part, press your binding in half.

Now you are ready to sew your binding on. I like to start in the middle of a section. I don’t know why, that’s just how I do it. Fold your binding over onto to the top of the quilt, find your favorite decorative or zigzag stitch and go for it. I do recommend a walking foot for this part!

When you reach the end of the side stop. We are now going to do a mitered corner!

Image top left shows you unfolding the corner, top right shows how you will fold the corner in (you don’t need the pin but it was really hard to take the picture without it!). Bottom left shows how you refold the corner (this is where you create the miter), bottom right shows how you fold it one more time over to the top of the quilt, all raw edges are now concealed and you are ready to sew the next side of the quilt!

It is that easy!

Here is a close up of a finished corner:

Let me know if you have any questions! Happy Binding!