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How to Hem a Quilt Binding

Binding a quilt is one of the most important steps in ensuring it is durable enough for many years of use. The binding secures the edges of the quilt, as well as holding together the quilt top, batting and back. While you can quilt by hand, machine hemming the binding is often done for added strength. Binding strips are available at any fabric store and many hobby supply stores. There are numerous colors and fabrics available in most stores, and a countless number available through specialty stores and online retailers. Standard binding is 2 inches wide, and can be cut to the length of your quilt.

Things You'll Need

Quilt binding strips
Scissors
Quilt top
Batting
Quilt back
Pins
Iron
Sewing machine with quilting needle

Instructions

- 1
  Cut four binding strips, one for each side of the quilt.
- 2
  Lay the quilt back with the front toward the table. Stack the batting on top of it, and the quilt top right side up on the top.
- 3
  Line up one of the binding strips with the top of the quilt, placing it right side down at the edge of the quilt top. Pin into place. Repeat with the other three sides.
- 4
  Stitch 1/2 inch from the edge of the binding, and quilt down each side. Leave about 1 inch unsewn at each corner. Sew all four sides in this manner. Remove the pins as you complete each side.
- 5
  Fold the binding's unhemmed edge up 1/2 inch onto itself, and iron into a crease. Fold the binding over the edge of the quilt, so this creased edge is now on the back of the quilt. Pin the binding into place.
- 6
  Stitch the binding as close as possible to the crease. Stitch all four sides, leaving about 1 inch at each corner. Remove the pins.
- 7
  Press the binding to the right of each corner against the quilt, in the same manner as the rest of the binding. Pin into place. Fold the end of the binding to the left of the corner at a 45-degree angle, and lay it over the top of the right-side binding. Secure with a pin.
- 8
  Stitch a diagonal line just to the left of the binding's 45-degree angle on each corner. Sew across the bottom of both the left and right sides of the corner binding, being sure to secure the binding to the quilt top, batting and quilt back.
- 9
  You can now add the quilting stitches to the interior design of your quilt.

Sewing