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.

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.

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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 did this video September 2020

Talking about the difference between Double layer Binding and Single layer binding.

Here is a photo of what I show in the video

The binding ends up looking almost the same.

I do think that single width is easier to do by machine. 

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

[Tracy Chin]

Hi Pat! What weight thread do you use for machine binding? Thanks so much for your tutorial!

[Karen Alexander]

Great Tute Pat! I also do almost all my by machine, though I favor double binding on anything that's really gonna get some where, as he oldest utility quilt I made in the late 70s is bursting at the edge due to a single fold! I added the use of Elmer's Washable School glue to hold the binding down. A thin line of glue, hit it with the iron, and your binding stays put for the sewing. No need to push and poke with the stiletto.. or, well pay as much attention! Sometimes I turn to the front, sometimes to the back, but I ALWAY sew on the front side of course.I learned the glue trick from Sharon Schamber many years ago....again, great tutorial for all!

[Wanda Long]

Hi Pat, Due to arthritis, I've been doing my bindings like this for years now but I always try to keep a little (very little) to the left of the stitching line when sewing the binding to the front--which do leave a bit of a space on the back but like you said 'no big deal'. For people trying it for the first few times, it's like everything else, the more you do, the better you get. But I do want to thank you for the hint about getting the wave out--that is the one thing that I have not liked is that sometimes I do have that wave. Many thanks! For the people who think they need special feet, I sometimes use just a straight stitch, a zigzag or even one of the fancy stitches-just don't have them too close together or it will be too tight and will definitely get the 'wave'. Just ask me how I know? I learn everything the hard way. lol

[Laurie Matthews]

I would love to see a picture of what the front of the quilt looks like if possible.

[TracineCharest]

I am excited to try your binding technique. My only question is do you have a special tool for the 1/4 inch that you iron over to start? Thanks again.

[~Deb]

Just stumbled across your binding tut...Thank YOU! Been using this method for 5 years now on children's and baby quilts, and especially on Veteran's quilts - including Quilts of Valor, since many are subjected to commercial laundering. To date, have had NO issues or complaints!

Thanks for this great tutorial - will be sharing it on my blog, if you don't mind, under what else...'Favorite Tutorials' ;-)

Happy Quilting!
~Deb

[pat]

you are so welcome Susan!

[susan parent]

So much easier. Like this . definately going to try on my quilt I am making. Thank You So Much Pat !!!!!!!!

[Ruth]

Thanks for this tutorial,will soon be trying it

[The Lisa Marie]

Usually my favorite part of making a quilt is sewing the binding on by hand. I find it to be very relaxing. However, I recently completed a quilt that I was sooooo done with, and I was anxious to move onto my next project. (I suspect you can relate to that. ;-) ) I decided to give your method a try. Boy was I glad that I did. It worked great! And your video was most helpful. Thank-you for sharing all of your good ideas.

[Elaine]

The binding looks so pretty with a blanket stitch! More of a hand made look. Thanks for sharing. I love when people think outside the box!

[Treasure Coast Modern Quilt Guild]

WooHoooo!!! I'm a fifth generation quilter and binding has always, always (!) loathed binding. Now that I've had two carpal tunnel surgeries and operations on all ten digits for 'trigger finger' I am truly unable to do hand work. At last...a legitimate excuse! ;-)

I thought that this was so fabulous I added it to our Treasure Coast Modern Quilt Guild page on Facebook.

Thank you!
~Shelagh

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Treasure-Coast-Modern-Quilt-Guild/246991648802775?hc_location=stream

[Gina Koston]

I'm so thankful you commented on my post on FB about your tutorial~ This is how I'm going to bind my next quilt! Thank you, Pat!

[Patricia Stumbrys]

Looooooved you technique but first I need to be able to buy a machine with different stitches.... mine only does straight and zig zag :(
I will keep doing by hand until that... :)

[Jane Jass]

Thank you, I never could get my binding to look right.