What Is The Best Width For Quilt Binding?

If the size of your seam allowance is the regular ¼”, the ideal width for your quilt binding strips will range from 2” to 2 ½”. It all depends on your preferences. It can also be wider if you prefer a larger binding than the standard ¼” seam allowance width.

There are some general guidelines to follow, although binding size is a personal preference. The size of the seam allowance determines the size of the binding. Your seam allowance needs to be ¼” if there are points next to the binding. It will provide you with enough space so that you will not cut off the points.

Beginners usually prefer cutting slightly wider strips to avoid any hand discomfort. But for many quilters, especially those who quilt in competitions, prefer tight binding. They use smaller strips with the folded edge, barely covering the stitching line on the fabric’s back.

The following are the most common binding strip widths for each seam allowance size:

• ¼” seam allowance – 1 ⅞”, 2”, 2 ¼”, and 2 ½” width of binding strips
• ⅜” seam allowance – 2 ¼” and 2 ½” width of binding strips
• ½” seam allowance – 2 ½”, 3”, and 3 ¼” width of binding strips
• ⅝” seam allowance – 2 ¾”, 3” and 3 ½” width of binding strips

If you prefer a looser quilt binding or flannel fabric, you can use strips on the range’s broader end. But if you prefer a tighter binding, you can use a strip size on the narrower end range.

It is best to choose which binding is ideal for your project as it neatly covers your fabric’s raw edges. In quilting, it also holds the quilt top, batting, and backing together along the edges. There are different types of binding which you can use for various projects.

Straight-grain binding is a strip of fabric cut along the crosswise or lengthwise grain of our fabric. You can use it in covering straight edges. Keep in mind that you need to miter this type of binding at each corner.

Bias-grain bindings are strips that you cut along the bias grain of your fabric, 45 degrees to the lengthwise or crosswise grain. Crafters usually use this type of binding in covering curved or rounded edges.

You can cut a single -fold quilt binding either the straight or bias fabric grain. Its folding method leaves only one layer of fabric that covers the raw edges. You can use this best for quilts that you intend to hang for display or gently use and not washed often.

Another type of bias binding is double-fold binding. You fold in each raw fabric edge toward your fabric strip’s center and fold it in half along the center. After doing so, it must match the folded edges. You can use this binding to finish raw edges on quilts that you do not intend to use and wash regularly.

How do you calculate quilt binding?

Making simple calculations is a part of the craft, whether you are deciding how much to buy or want the best use of your fabric. Follow this simple guide to calculate the yardage for your quilt binding:

• You need to add the measurements of all four sides of your quilt if you are making your bindings from width-of-fabric strips.
• Add 12” for seams, corners, and finishing.
• Divide the total measurement that you got to determine the number of strips you need.

How wide should binding be on a baby quilt?

Binding a baby quilt uses the same principle as binding regular quilts. It depends on your preferences, but there are some guidelines to follow. Follow this guide to determine the ideal width for your binding strips:

• ¼” seam allowance – 1 ⅞”, 2”, 2 ¼”, and 2 ½” width of binding strips
• ⅜” seam allowance – 2 ¼” and 2 ½” width of binding strips
• ½” seam allowance – 2 ½”, 3”, and 3 ¼” width of binding strips
• ⅝” seam allowance – 2 ¾”, 3” and 3 ½” width of binding strips

How much wider should quilt backing be?

Your quilt backing needs to be at least 3 to 6 wider on each side, top, and bottom than your quilt top. It must be a total of 8 to 10 inches larger than your quilt top.

Remember that the more space you give around the edge of your quilt, the easier it is to attach it to your quilting machine. You will not have enough room to bind your quilt if you start working with a backing that is the same size or just a little bit wider than your top.

Besides leaving space on the top and bottom of your quilt, you also need to have enough room on the sides. Doing so will give your quilting machine’s side clamps and prevent puckering and machine interruptions.

How wide should a quilt sleeve be?

You need a sleeve of about 4 inches wide for most quilts. It will be best to use the same fabric you used for your quilt backing to ensure that your sleeve blends with your project.

You may think of skipping making a hanging sleeve. But keep in mind that having one will make it easier for you to hang your quilts and swap them out seasonally. It also significantly reduces the stretching and distortion that inevitably occurs.

Remember that the larger your quilt is, the more you need to worry about stretching. You reduce the distortion when you evenly distribute your quilt on a rod. The larger your rod is, the wider the sleeve needs to be.

Small, lightweight quilts can hang on a ½” diameter rod so you can create much smaller sleeves for them. But you may need to make at least two hanging sleeves for huge quilts.

Follow this simple guide to make a 4” wide sleeve:

1. Measure the width of the top of your quilt.
2. Cut a strip of fabric 8 ½” x the width of your finished quilt, including binding.
3. Fold both short ends under, toward the wrong side of the fabric and press.
4. Fold it under again so that there are no visible raw edges on the short end showing.
5. Stitch it down using a matching thread.
6. Fold the strip in half lengthwise with the wrong side together. The right sides must be facing outward.
7. Sew along the long raw edges using a ¼” seam allowance.
8. Press the seam open, taking the seam down the center of the strip.
9. Fold one of the long edges up about ½” and press it to make a new crease. Doing so creates more slack that prevents the rod from creating bumps on the front of your quilt when you hang it.
10. Pin the tube to the back of your quilt, about ½” from the top, so that the seam faces backing.
11. Hand-stitch the top edge of the sleeve to your quilt using a whipstitch or a blind stitch.
12. Hand-stitch the bottom edge, leaving enough space room in your sleeve for the rod.
13. Finally, you need to stitch the short edges to the back of the quilt.

Can I use a sheet for quilt backing?

Many quilters still use sheets for their quilt backing. But you need to be careful and experiment on your own to know if it will work well with your projects.

Try to use cheaper, lower-thread-count sheets. They tend to work better than the high-thread-count sheets with tighter weaves, making it difficult for your needle to pierce. You need to avoid wrinkle-free sheets, which also make it difficult to penetrate with your needle.

You can also try washing and drying your sheets before using them to prevent bleeding and shrinking.

Can you use flannel for quilt backing?

Many crafters use flannel quilt backing and are happy with the decision. But you need to be careful in handling them to ensure that you will get quality results.

You always need to prewash your flannel. If you need to piece flannel pieces together, you can use a ½” seam allowance to account for the extra fraying. Remember that flannel is very linty, so you need to clean out your machine frequently.

You also need to quilt with a walking foot to get the ideal results. Use a relatively thin batting since flannel will add extra bulk to your quilt. Use spray starch if ever you have trouble with the flannel stretching.

What is the best fabric for quilt backing?

Many crafters believe that quilting cotton is the best choice to use for the backing. But keep in mind that patterned quilting cotton could be tricky to piece on a large-scale quilt.

How do you pick fabric for quilt backing?

First, you need to consider whether you want a single, large-length, or many backing fabric pieces. It will all depend on your personal preferences. Keep in mind that not all fabrics are large enough to span the entire width of larger quilts.

You also need to pick your thread colors to know which fabric will be best for your quilt backing. After doing so, you can now choose from the different materials to use for your quilt backing. The quilt backing you select depends on the amount of time and money you are willing to invest in your project.

If you want details on your top quilt, you can use a solid fabric in matching color. Doing so will highlight the top work without drawing attention away from it because of the backing. You need to choose a backing fabric that compliments your top quilt well.

How do you back a quilt batting?

1. Lay down your backing fabric on a flat surface after sewing it together. Make sure that it is square with the floor.
2. Tape down all the edges of the backing fabric and make sure that it is taut and square.
3. Spread out your batting into the backing and smooth out all the wrinkles.
4. Put the finished quilt top on the batting, making sure it is larger than the quilt top.
5. Next, you could either baste or pin your layers together. Avoid placing pins where you intend to stitch.
6. Finally, remove all the pins and finish the edges.