Then one weekend I took a class and was told that it would be best to use double fold bias binding. So, I set out to find such an item at a fabric shop. And, yes, I did find it. But, it came in limited colors - white, off white, navy blue, maybe black. Colors that went with everything, but nothing interesting.
And to make things even easier, it comes in only one width - 1" will show on the front and back of your quilt.
Even so, many of my early quilts were made with store-bought bias binding. Except for the color selection, width, and the fact that it doesn't ever really match the fabric in your quilt, store-bought binding works fine.
Eventually the limitations and the price got to me. It really is quite expensive per yard, and when you are binding a large quilt, it adds up.
Recently I came across an online site that carries bias binding that is made from quilting fabric, and that certainly could be a great option. As beautiful as they are, you are still limited to their width (1/2 inch) and their fabric selection (though thousands, it may not include the fabric you want, you definately need to plan ahead, and buy in their quantity designations).
Lollipops Designer Bindings
The other option is to make your own binding.
There are several benefits of making your own binding:
- You can match the fabric in your quilt - whether you choose a fabric that is in your quilt, or you choose the fabric that is in your last border, you know that the binding will be perfect for your quilt
- You can create interesting effects with your binding - some quilters make striped bias binding by sewing narrow strips of fabric together and then cutting them on the bias
- You can make it as wide or narrow as you like - although I generally have 1/4 inch showing on the front, often my binding is wide enough so that I have 1 1/2 - 2 inches on the back. This allows me to create a hanging sleeve using the binding section at the top of the quilt.
- You can create your binding without being dependent on a fabric shop's inventory - this also means that you can make the binding in the middle of the night after the shop is closed or you can make it in the middle of the February snow storm when even the postal workers are having a difficult time finding your house
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com
P.S. Although this effect was created because I was running out of fabric, the border and binding on this quilt matches - including the two blue pieces in the outside border.
Learn 6 Different Ways to Bind Your Quilts with Perfection - You'll Have Smooth and Square Mitered Corners; Hand Sewn Blind Stitches that are Completely Hidden; a Smooth Closing Where the Beginning and End of the Binding Meets; and Even Edges All the Way Around Your Quilt.
www.HowToBindAQuilt.com
