Pat Sloan Machine Binding tutorial

Learning new things is fun!!

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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 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

[Roxann in Texas]

I am definitely trying this, thanks for the details and the lovely pictures providing great visualization.

[pat sloan]

Hi Ettakay, thank you for writing.
Are you looking in my book 'Pat Sloan's Teach me to Make my First Quilt'?

Starting on page 35 to page 37 are two methods of binding. One by hand, one by machine.

Take a look in the book & let me know you found it.

[Ettakay]

Did you realize your Teach Me to Quilt book has nothing about sewing the bind. I read to cut binding 2 1/4 inches and that is all I found. Did I miss something?

[Carolyn Thomas Grayson]

I think I like your version better than what I learned in my Beginning Quilting class; it seems much less complicated, especially the corners. I will try it when it's time to bind Winter Solstice! Thanks Pat :)

[Sally]

Thank You Pat. You're my Favorite Quilter,I always go to you if I have any problems. You are Wonderful with Quilting.

[Mary Andra]

I just used this method two weeks ago for the first time. I loved it. The quilt is for a child with lots of washing expected. Fabulous tutorial. Wish I had it two weeks ago. Thank you Pat. 🌟❤️

[Linda Kraft]

I have a 20-year old Kenmore sewing machine. I love it and it's been adequate for all my quilting needs. But I don't have the ability to reverse the blanket stitch. Suggestions?
---Linda

[Beverly Reid]

I was wondering how it was done because I've only hand sewn mine one. Love when you do videos.

[Anita]

Very nice, I will be trying this with one of your smaller patterns Harvest Moon.

[Donna Senters]

Tracy chin, the tutorial she has included states 50 wt. I am glad it is the same weight I have 😃
Donna

[Janel Barthe]

Pat, off topic, but still in the quilting world...do you have a tutorial video on getting your bias seams just right when you are joining strips. Have looked at a bunch, but would like to hear your take. Thank you.

[Kathleen Percy]

I have never used the blanket stitch to do this method of machine binding. I have simply ' top stitched' the binding . Is there a reason you prefer the blanket stitch?

[dee]

this is a great IDEA when doing mini wall hangings. a Binding that is two and half inches is definitely an OVERKILL PLUS you get a straight edge ( 1/4" pressed )to know when how much to pull over to the front of quilt

[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!