Single-fold Binding Tutorial

Today September 25th – 27 if you purchase $25 you get this pattern FREE!…This  project is now on our website for you to order a kit if you are interested.  The kit is only $30 and includes the flannel for background, binding…and all the beautiful hand dyed wools.  Order HERE.  The threads used are also linked on that same page as the mat.

For your convince there are links in this tutorial for other items needed.

We THANK YOU in advance for supporting our shop with any of your stitching needs.

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Single fold binding?  Why? Well, sometimes you do not need the strength of a double fold binding like you do on the edge of a quilt.  The double fold binding is durable to take the daily use that a bed quilt might endure.  If your quilts are being used you know what I mean when I say they will take some abuse…like a well used and washed baby quilt.

But a lot of the time if the project will not be used on a bed, the edge application does not have to be as sturdy.  Thus, single fold binding…for wall hangings, mini quilts and projects like a table mat…also it saves a little fabric.

Why can I put a binding on this mat and not others? Well this depends on the edge…if it is scalloped those are harder edges to put a binding on and we usually blanket stitch them with thick perle cotton on the edge …but if it is oval or circular we can bind it.

I also used flannel as the background of this project instead of wool, which keeps the price down a bit as well, but the flannel is not thick like wool…so I added a little batting and backing and put a binding on it just like a quilt.

So on to the single fold tutorial…

Cut your binding on the bias when doing anything with a curve.

Cut a diagonal cut through the center of your fabric.

This then becomes the edge of your binding and you will fold and line up this edge as your starting cut your strips.

Cut single fold binding for this project 1 3/4″.  You will sometimes have to test what size you wish to use….I am making this one a little larger for two reasons…one, this is flannel and two because I am going to put this binding on a little bigger than a 1/4″…more like 3/8″.

After your strips are cut, lay them right sides together and stitch on the diagonal.

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Press the seams open.IMG_6072

Start with a straight edge and lay it right sides-together on the edge.  Start stitching about 4 to 5 inches from the beginning of the strip using your walking foot.  IMG_6073

The binding will curve nicely as your stitch around the mat.

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When the end is near, about 6″ away,  stop stitching.  Pin the start of the mat in place.  IMG_6075

Now lay the end over the top of it…move the pin to where the inside edges meet…you might even move it back an 1/8 to snug it up…IMG_3671 2

Now take that inside start corner and place it right sides together at the same point you moved the pin to.IMG_3293 2

Move the pin to hold them together.   Shorten your stitch length to about half of your normal stitch length was for stitching the binding on…stitch  from the outside edge to the bottom intersection.  IMG_3702IMG_6080

Clip 1/4″ away from the seam and press it open.IMG_6072

Lay the binding at the edge of the mat.  Continue stitching, putting your stitch length back to normal, until you meet the beginning.IMG_6083

Now flip the binding over to the back side.IMG_6084

Lift up and fold down the raw edge to meet the edge of the mat.  IMG_6085

Now fold it down one more time and clip in place with binding clips..  I don’t go crazy..about three to get started…IMG_6086IMG_6087

Thread your binding needle with quilting thread..IMG_6088

Insert needle above the stitched edge, come out on the fold edge a little away form where you inserted.IMG_6089

Insert the needle into the backing just below the stitched line, biting the backing and batting and then moving up into the binding fold.IMG_6090

The thread will loop and close the binding with out seeing any thread.  It especially hides in the flannel.IMG_6091

Continue taking stitches.IMG_6093

Flip it over to see if you are getting a nice tight full binding.IMG_6094 2

Continue all the way around!

I hope this tutorial was helpful and now you will consider a single fold binding on your quilt and wool projects!

Thanks for reading our blog and I will put this tutorial under the tutorial category at the beginning of the blog for you to access whenever you need it or you can always print it off…LisaIMG_6100


11 responses to “Single-fold Binding Tutorial”

  1. Darlene Hissem Avatar
    Darlene Hissem

    Thank you Lisa!

    1. Edie Avatar
      Edie

      This table mat is so pretty!

  2. Jane Zagrodnik Avatar
    Jane Zagrodnik

    Wonderful tip. I like how the finish looks.

  3. Kyra Franz Avatar

    Thanks, Lisa! Love your nail polish!

  4. Serena Kim Avatar
    Serena Kim

    Thank you so much, Lisa!

  5. Cheryl Gherna Avatar
    Cheryl Gherna

    Thank you for this informative tutorial on single binding. Wonderful clear directions Lisa.

  6. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Just the best single fold binding instructions I’ve ever seen! Thank you! BTW, the Primitive Gatherings Binding Needles makes sewing bindings on a breeze…they are long, strong, and sharp.

  7. Jan O'Grady Avatar
    Jan O’Grady

    I ordered this Mat today. Can’t wait till it gets here. By the way I received my wool subscription box number 5 today I love it. Now I want to know how can I get box 1 through 4 since I just joined the party?

    1. lisabongean Avatar

      Call judy p at the shop… she will tell you what’s available

  8. Tami Ellis Avatar
    Tami Ellis

    You really make it seem so easy! Thank you 🙂

    1. lisabongean Avatar

      It is easy!!!

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