Binding isn't too hard to do, just takes practice and patience and time.

I am going to tell you two ways to attach binding - there are other ways but these are two that I have used in the past and now.

Binding basics: Binding gets a lot of wear and tear because it is on the edge so we usually make double thickness binding. I like to do straight of grain binding and usually cut it 2.25 inches wide the width of the fabric.

Fold your fabric with selvedges together and cut strips across the fabric 2.25 inches wide (you will need enough binding to go around the quilt plus at least 10 inches).

Sew the strips together making bias seams and trim the extra off the seam allowance and press the seams open. This gives you one long strip of binding.

Press the strip wrong sides together longways so that you have a double thickness strip aprox. 1.25 inches wide.

Now you are ready to apply the binding to the quilt.

Attach binding the simple way: If ou are a beginner you may want to try this one because it is simple and straightforward. For this technique you will measure across the middle of the quilt and cut your binding for the top, bottom and both sides the size of the quilt plus 2 inches to have plenty to turn under on the ends.

Attach one strip on the side of quilt on the back - edges even and pin - make sure you have no seams at the corner or it will add bulk to the seams. Pin and sew. Do the same for the other side of the quilt. Trim the ends of the binding aprox 1/2 inch from the end and fold over the top and bottom to hide the raw edge of the quilt.

Attach the top and bottom binding in the same way but fold the ends in so they have a finished edge when turned to the front.

Fold the binding to the front of the quilt and pin in place, top stitch (you can use a decorative stitch here if you want to) the binding into place.

Cont. to next page for the more advanced binding instructions.

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