How to Machine Sew a Blind Hem on a Quilt Binding

Wind a full bobbin from the matching thread you have selected for your quilt binding. Install the bobbin and thread your sewing machine.

Attach the blind hem foot to your sewing machine. Most machine presser feet either snap or screw in place on the needle housing.

Set the machine to the straight stitch setting. This is the standard stitch and if your machine defaults to this stitch each time it is powered off, then turning on the machine will have it already set for you.

Set the stitch length on the machine to about 10 stitches per inch. This is a fairly short stitch length. On some machines it will be the ̶0;3̶1; setting and other machines there will be a ̶0;blind stitch̶1; setting that will adjust the length for you.

Fold under 1/4 inch along the edge of the binding and iron to hold the crease. This is the seam allowance for the binding. As an alternative, you can also finish off the raw edges with a serged seam if the look coordinates with your quilt.

Bring the binding onto the top of the quilt where it will be sewn. Make sure the binding covers the original seam that you sewed to attach the binding on the back side of the quilt.

Fold the binding towards the back of the quilt, making sure the pressed-under edge extends past the edge of the quilted fabric. This will be slightly bulky, but you will not be sewing through all of the layers so it should not pose a problem.

Place the quilt and binding under the needle so that the needle barely grabs the quilt fabric and sews mostly on the binding fabric.

Lower the presser foot and begin sewing slowly. Guide the quilt under the needle as you sew down one side of the quilt. Stop sewing about 1/4 inch from the corner so that you can miter the binding by folding. Once mitered, continue sewing, stopping to pivot at the corner.

Continue sewing in this manner until the entire binding is attached to the quilt. Remove the quilt from under the needle and trim all excess threads.