Binding a quilt by machine is a relatively simple process that can be completed in a few hours. It is a great way to finish off a quilt and give it a professional look. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover fabric from the quilt top. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to bind a quilt by machine:
First, you will need to gather your materials. You will need the quilt top, the quilt batting, the quilt backing, and the binding fabric. You will also need a sewing machine, thread, a walking foot (optional), and a rotary cutter or scissors. Once you have all of your materials, you can begin the binding process.
The first step is to sew the quilt top to the quilt batting. Use a large stitch length, such as 4 or 5, and sew around the perimeter of the quilt. Trim any excess batting. Next, you will need to sew the quilt backing to the quilt top. Use the same stitch length and sew around the perimeter of the quilt. Trim any excess backing. Now, you are ready to attach the binding.
Setting Up Your Machine
Before you begin quilting by machine, you’ll need to set up your sewing machine properly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Choose the Right Needle
The first step is selecting the right needle for your quilt. For most quilting purposes, a size 10 or 11 universal needle will work well. If you’re using a thicker thread or fabric, you may need to use a larger needle.
2. Install the Walking Foot
A walking foot is an essential tool for machine quilting. As the name implies, it “walks” over the quilt fabric, helping to prevent puckering or skipped stitches. To install the walking foot, first remove the regular presser foot from your machine. Then, attach the walking foot according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Most walking feet come with a spacer that must be inserted into the machine’s needle clamp to prevent the foot from interfering with the needle.
| Spacers for Different Machines | |
|---|---|
|
Machine |
Spacer |
|
Brother |
6 mm |
|
Janome |
4 mm |
|
Singer |
2 mm |
3. Thread Your Machine
Next, you’ll need to thread your machine with the desired thread. For quilting, it’s best to use a high-quality cotton or polyester thread. Once the thread is threaded, pull it through the needle and under the presser foot.
Choosing a Stitch
The type of stitch you choose will affect the look and durability of your quilt binding. The most popular stitch for machine binding is the straight stitch. It’s a strong and simple stitch that is relatively easy to sew.
If you want a more decorative look, you can choose a decorative stitch, such as a zigzag stitch or a blind hem stitch. Decorative stitches can add a touch of personality to your quilt. However, they are not as strong as a straight stitch, so they may not be suitable for quilts that will be used frequently.
The following table compares the different types of stitches that can be used for machine binding:
| Stitch | Strength | Ease of Sewing |
|---|---|---|
| Straight stitch | Strong | Easy |
| Zigzag stitch | Less strong than a straight stitch | More difficult to sew than a straight stitch |
| Blind hem stitch | Less strong than a straight stitch | More difficult to sew than a straight stitch |
Ultimately, the best way to choose a stitch is to experiment and see what works best for your quilt. You may want to test out different stitches on a scrap piece of fabric before you start sewing on your quilt.
Binding the Quilt
Once you have sewn the quilt, it is time to bind the edges to finish it off and make it look more professional. There are a few different ways to bind a quilt, but the most common method is to use a quilt binding. Quilt binding is a strip of fabric that is folded over the edge of the quilt and sewn down. It can be made from any type of fabric, but it is typically made from a coordinating fabric that complements the quilt.
To bind a quilt, you will need the following materials:
- Quilt binding
- Quilting thread
- Sewing machine
- Iron and ironing board
Here are the steps on how to bind a quilt by machine:
1. Prepare the quilt binding
The first step is to prepare the quilt binding. The binding should be cut into strips that are 2.5 inches wide. The length of the strips will vary depending on the size of the quilt. You will need enough strips to go around the entire perimeter of the quilt, plus a few extra inches for overlap.
2. Fold the quilt binding in half
Once the quilt binding is cut, fold it in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Press the fold with an iron to create a crease.
3. Pin the quilt binding to the quilt
Pin the quilt binding to the edge of the quilt, right sides together. The raw edge of the quilt binding should be aligned with the raw edge of the quilt. Start pinning in the center of one side of the quilt and work your way around, pinning every few inches.
4. Sew the quilt binding
Once the quilt binding is pinned, it is time to sew it down. Use a zigzag stitch to sew the quilt binding to the quilt. Start sewing in the center of one side of the quilt and work your way around, sewing slowly and carefully. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam.
Once you have sewn around the entire quilt, trim the excess binding from the corners. Then, fold the binding to the back of the quilt and press it down with an iron. The quilt is now finished and ready to enjoy!
Finishing the Binding
Finishing the binding of a quilt involves securing the binding around the edges of the quilt and then creating a decorative finish. This can be done by machine or by hand, and both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Once the binding has been sewn around the edges of the quilt, you will need to finish it. You can do this by hand or by machine. There are many different ways to finish the binding, so choose the one that you like the best.
Here are the steps on how to finish the binding by machine:
- Fold the binding over the edge of the quilt and press it down. Use a hot iron and press firmly to create a crisp crease.
- Topstitch the binding down. Use a needle and thread that matches the binding fabric. Start stitching in the middle of one side of the quilt and work your way around, taking small, even stitches.
- Trim the excess binding. Use a sharp pair of scissors to trim the excess binding close to the stitching line.
- Miter the corners. This step is optional, but it will give your binding a more professional finish. To miter the corners, fold the binding at a 45-degree angle and trim the excess fabric. Then, unfold the binding and press it flat.
- Topstitch the corners. Use a needle and thread that matches the binding fabric. Start stitching in the center of one corner and work your way around, taking small, even stitches.
- Tuck the ends of the binding under. Fold the ends of the binding under by about 1/4 inch and press them down. Then, topstitch the ends of the binding down.
Advantages of Finishing the Binding by Machine:
- Finishing the binding by machine is quicker than doing it by hand.
- It is easier to get a consistent stitch when finishing the binding by machine.
- Machine-finished binding is less likely to fray or come undone.
Disadvantages of Finishing the Binding by Machine:
- Machine-finished binding can sometimes look bulky or stiff.
- It can be difficult to get the machine to sew close to the edge of the quilt.
- Machine-finished binding can sometimes pucker or ripple.
Trimming and Pressing the Binding
Once the binding is sewn on, it’s time to trim and press it to give it a finished look.
Trimming the Binding
Use a rotary cutter and ruler or scissors to trim the binding to 1/2 inch from the edge of the quilt. Be careful not to cut into the quilt.
Pressing the Binding
Press the binding twice to set the creases and give it a professional finish.
- Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt, covering the raw edges.
- Press the binding down, being careful not to press the quilt. The binding should be pressed from the right side.
- Fold the binding back over to the front of the quilt.
- Press the binding down again, this time pressing both the binding and the quilt.
The binding should now be pressed and secured, giving your quilt a polished look.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
1.Puckering or Gathering: Ensure your quilt top and backing are square. If necessary, trim them to size. Use a walking foot to help distribute the fabric evenly.
2.Wavy or Rippled Binding: This could be caused by stretching the binding while sewing. Be sure to feed the binding through evenly and avoid pulling it.
3.Binding Too Loose or Tight: Adjust the width of the binding strips. For a tighter bind, use narrower strips; for a looser bind, use wider strips.
4.Corners Not Mitered Properly: Practice mitering corners before binding the entire quilt. Ensure your corners are 45 degrees and that they overlap slightly.
5.Fabric Fraying: Use a fabric glue stick or stitch-witchery to prevent the edges of the binding from fraying.
6. Binding Coming Loose: Ensure your stitches are secure. Use a strong thread and sew close to the edge of the binding. Double stitch the binding for added strength.
7. Quilting Stippling Visible: If you wish to hide the quilting stitches on the binding, use a longer stitch length or a wider binding strip.
8. Tips for Troubleshooting Binding Problems:
- Use a consistent stitch throughout the binding process.
- Iron the binding strips in advance to make sewing easier.
- Hand-baste the binding in place before machine sewing to ensure accuracy.
- Make each corner gradually by mitering small sections at a time.
- Start and stop sewing a few stitches into the binding overlap to prevent unraveling.
- If a section of the binding is uneven, carefully remove it and resew it.
- When joining the binding ends, trim them at a 45-degree angle and overlap them slightly.
- Check the entire binding once complete to ensure it is secure and evenly distributed.
Potential Problem Solution Pucker or gather Ensure quilt top and backing are squared, use walking foot Wavy or rippled Avoid stretching binding while sewing Too loose or tight Adjust width of binding strips Corners not mitered Practice mitering, ensure 45° angles, slight overlap Binding coming loose Secure stitches, use strong thread, double stitch Quilting visible Increase stitch length, use wider binding strip 10. Finishing the Binding
Once you’ve sewn the binding all the way around the quilt, you’ll need to finish it off. Here’s how:
- Trim the excess binding: Trim any excess binding from the corners, leaving about 1/4 inch beyond the seam allowance.
- Fold the binding over the raw edge: Fold the binding over the raw edge of the quilt, aligning the folded edge with the raw edge.
- Pin the binding in place: Pin the binding in place around the entire quilt, using plenty of pins to keep it secure.
- Stitch the binding down: Stitch the binding down by hand or machine, using a small, tight stitch. Start and finish the stitching about 2 inches from the corner.
- Miter the corners: To create a professional-looking finish, you’ll need to miter the corners. Here’s how:
Fold the binding over itself at a 45-degree angle. Trim the excess binding. Unfold the binding and press it flat. Refold the binding over the raw edge of the quilt. Pin and stitch the binding in place. Repeat for all four corners. - Secure the binding at the starting point: Once you’ve mitered all four corners, stitch the binding down at the starting point to secure it.
How To Bind A Quilt By Machine
Binding a quilt by machine is a great way to finish off your project and give it a professional look. It’s also a relatively easy process, and can be done in just a few hours. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to bind a quilt by machine:
Materials You’ll Need:
- Quilt batting
- Quilt top
- Quilt backing
- Binding fabric
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Walking foot (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare your quilt by trimming any excess batting or fabric. The quilt should be square or rectangular, and the edges should be even.
- Cut strips of binding fabric that are 2 1/2 inches wide. The length of the strips will vary depending on the size of your quilt. You will need enough strips to go around the entire perimeter of the quilt, plus a few extra inches for overlap.
- Join the strips of binding fabric together by sewing them end-to-end. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- Fold the binding in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Press the fold to create a crease.
- Open up the binding and place it around the edge of the quilt, right sides together. The raw edge of the binding should be aligned with the raw edge of the quilt.
- Pin the binding in place around the quilt, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- Attach a walking foot to your sewing machine, if desired. A walking foot will help to prevent the fabric from shifting as you sew.
- Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch and a stitch length of 2.5 to 3 mm.
- Starting at one corner of the quilt, sew the binding to the quilt, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Sew around the entire perimeter of the quilt, stopping at the starting point.
- Trim the excess binding at the corners, leaving a 1/4-inch overlap.
- Fold the overlap of the binding to the back of the quilt and miter the corners
- Hand-stitch the binding to the back of the quilt, using a blind stitch.
People Also Ask About How To Bind A Quilt By Machine
How do you bind a quilt by machine with mitered corners?
To bind a quilt by machine with mitered corners, you will need to trim the excess binding at the corners, leaving a 1/4-inch overlap. Fold the overlap of the binding to the back of the quilt and miter the corners. To miter the corners, fold the binding in half diagonally, wrong sides together. Trim the excess fabric at the point, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Unfold the binding and press the crease. Fold the binding back over the corner of the quilt, right sides together, and sew the mitered corner in place.
What is the best way to bind a quilt?
The best way to bind a quilt depends on your personal preferences and the look you are trying to achieve. Machine binding is a quick and easy way to finish a quilt, and it can be done with or without mitered corners. Hand binding is a more traditional method that gives a more polished look, but it is also more time-consuming. Ultimately, the best way to bind a quilt is the way that you are most comfortable with and that gives you the results you want.
