Bind A Quilt Or Table Runner A Really Easy Way

Here is a binding method so easy you will have your quilt or table runner bound in no time. It’s relaxing and fun to do as well. As you get going, you may want to use this method every time you bind a project.

Here is what you will need:

• Your completed quilt top or table runner
• Some backing fabric slightly bigger than your quilt or table runner
• Pins
• Low loft batting (if you are using it)
• Quilting needle
• Quilting Thread
• Put on some tunes, watch a movie, or listen to a podcast, or an audio book and you are set to sew.

If binding is overwhelming to you, worry no more! The method I have come to love to use is actually fun as you get in the flow of sewing the binding around the edge. It’s relaxing and actually goes relatively fast once you get going. I use to be scared of binding my quilts. I had another easy method I used at first What Is The Easiest Way To Bind A Quilt? I have since learned another method that I like even more so here goes. I am using my latest table runner to show how to bind. You can use this method with a quilt of any size, a table runner, or even a hot pad.

Quilt Blocks For Quilt Or Table Runner Topper

Sew your quilt blocks together. If you are going to add applique, sew it on to your topper. Once you have your topper ready to go you are ready to prepare to quilt your quilt for quilting and then hand binding.

Backing Fabric

When you choose the backing fabric for your quilting project, make sure to buy enough fabric so that your backing will be slightly bigger than the size of your quilt topper or table runner topper. Measure your backing so that it is about 2 inches bigger all the way around your topper. (It won’t be quilted yet although my above picture shows it hand quilted. I forgot to take a picture before the backing was quilted on. See it’s ok to make mistakes right?

Quilt Your Topper And Backing

Quilting your topper is necessary before you can bind your quilt. Even if you take your quilt to the longarmer, you will need to have it quilted first. I like to hand quilt using a large hoop my quilts and table runners using Perle cotton. Here is how to do that How To Quilt A Baby Blanket By Hand. So that your backing is ready to turn into binding, lay your backing wrong side up. Then place your low loft batting evenly on top of your backing. Now place your topper right side up. Measure around your quilt so that the backing is even all the way around.

Bind Your Quilt Or Table Runner By Hand

You will need quilting thread, scissors, use a #5 DMC quilting needle needle. Start on one end and fold your backing over and then over once more so it covers the bottom edge of your quilt or table runner. Pin in place. Make sure your fabric doesn’t turn funny when you do this. It should lay flat. Continue doing this taking special care at the corners to match them up. Your corners may be a bit bulky but match them up so they look nice and tidy. Once the entire edge of your quilting project is pinned into place, you are ready to sew your binding.

• Use cotton or polyester thread to hand sew your binding.
• Take small stitches picking up the underneath of your quilt or table runner and then placing the needle through your binding edges.
• Each time you have to change thread, knot your thread first and then thread your needle and begin again.
• Continue to make sure your binding is laying flat.
• When you finish sewing, gently and lightly iron the binding edge.

A Few Tips

Line up something fun to watch or listen to when you plan to bind. It can be very relaxing once you get in the flow of sewing each small stitch around your quilting project. I love how the hand quilted stitches and the binding pull it altogether once you finish. When you hand quilt, you don’t have to use Perle Cotton like I do. Iike my quilting stitches to pop. You can use a color that won’t stand out or upstage your quilt blocks. Binding a quilt by hand just might become your favorite way to bind a quilt too!

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