Here is a super easy way for joining binding ends together on a quilt, here at Heirloom Creations we often refer to it as “Edna’s Binding”. Edna celebrated her 80th birthday last year and still works here 3 days a week! See her picture below…
Start by cutting your quilt binding to the desired width. On larger quilts I use 2 1/2 inches and on miniature quilts I use 2 1/4 inch wide binding strips. Fold the binding in half wrong sides together and press like normal. Leaving an 8 inch tail before stitching, attach the binding to the edge of the quilt using a 1/4 inch seam allowance around the entire quilt. Leave an approximate 12 inch opening.
Place a straight pin in the side of the quilt. Overlap the quilt binding across the pin. Measure across the folded binding. Take this same measurement and measure passed the pin that same amount in both directions on each of the binding strips.
Cut the binding strips at the marked lines.
Open the binding strips and place them right sides together at a diagonal. Sew from corner to corner.
Trim 1/4 inch away from the seam.
Press with an iron or finger press the seam open. Stitch the binding to the quilt. Finish stitching the binding to the back of the quilt by machine or by hand. Or continue reading below in the “Bonus” section for how we used glue to hold the binding in place!
Here is our famous Edna K. receiving a special delivery of balloons from Kate Snuggerud for her 80th birthday in 2013.
BONUS – Use Glue Baste-It to glue quilt bindings to the back of quilts that will NOT be washed. Press the glued edges with a hot iron to make them stick instantly. This glue is non-stiff and holds securely until you want it loosened. As long as the project will not be washed, the glue will continue to hold the binding in place. Glue Baste-It is a water soluble glue.
The mini quilts shown in the video were made to be auctioned off at the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative website to help raise money for Alzheimer’s research. These mini quilts are up to 9″ x 12″ so they can be shipped in a Priority Mail envelope. Sometimes they are called “Priority Quilts” because of their size. Click here for details of how you can make quilts for this great cause or to purchase a wonderful work of art.
This Priority quilt of mine recently sold for $50!