How to Make Quilt Binding

I rarely choose a binding fabric until my quilt top is assembled, because it's difficult to get a good idea of how a fabric will look until you can preview it with all of the finished components.

Put your blocks or finished quilt on a design wall and place longish strips of potential binding fabrics alongside. Step away. Do you like the look? Leave the room for awhile and come back. Do you still like it? Keep previewing fabrics until you find one you like.

Choose a Binding Width

How wide do you want the binding to be? If your quilt doesn't have borders, a 1/4" wide binding is the easiest to sew, since that width matches-up with the 1/4" seam allowance that's built-in to the edge of your blocks.

If the quilt has borders, it's just as simple to sew on a binding that's wider or narrower than 1/4", since it doesn't make too much difference how far inward the seam is sewn.

Singlefold Binding

Singlefold binding is made with a single layer of fabric. Reserve it for miniatures or wallhangings--it is not durable enough for quilts that will be used as quilts.

Strip Width: 2 X finished binding width + (2 X seam allowance)

Doublefold Binding

Also known as French binding, it is made by folding a long strip of fabric lengthwise to create two layers. The extra layer offers protection from wear. I always use doublefold binding, even for mini quilts and wallhangings.

Strip Width: (2 x finished binding width + Seam allowance) X 2