I posted a photo on my Instagram the other day and a comment was made about how I stitch the corners of my binding. Years ago I noticed my mom used it on a quilt and I just messed with it until it was second nature for me. I’m sure the method has a name. I’ll call it the Cutting Corners binding technique.
I use a ladder stitch to bind my quilts and if you need some direction on that Turning Turning’s blog has a great tutorial.
1) As I approach a corner I fold the corner binding towards the middle of the quilt and bring the binding’s folded edges on the right and left sides together at the inside corner so that they just touch.
Secure where the right and left sides come together with a clip.
The goal is to aim for the right and left fold of the binding to come together at an equal measurement and create 90 angle at the corner. Binding clips on either side of the corner can help even things out.
2) When I approach the corner I take the needle into the quilt back and bring it out through the binding’s corner fold. It might be easier to do the next step before pulling the needle through.
3) Grab with your needle the opposing folded corner of binding and if things are looking even pull your needle through.
These two points where the needle is pictured above is where you will complete some tacking stitches.
4) Once you feel it’s got enough stitches to be secure, take your needle into the right side and through into the quilt backing, coming out into the fold of the binding. Continue with the ladder stitch.
It should look all nice and square from the front. I’ve never had any issues with it coming untucked. Anyone know of the name of this technique?
Let me know if you have any questions.
Poof, Somewhat Circular Hex is another sample for my Hexagons by Machine workshop next week;) Now I need to get a post up on it.
Happy Tuesday. I’m off to get my tax crap together, exciting stuff Deb;)
I greatly appreciate you sharing that technique! Corners are the one thing that I don’t feel like I have “mastered”. I’m going to try this on my next quilt! Thanks!!
great!~
Hmmm…. I have never see this before. thanks. I just do it the “normal” way! LOL. I will have to try it to see how it feels.
glen
Wonderful idea, I will give this a go on my quilt that’s waiting for me to do the finishing work on the binding.. Thanks a bunch… <3
Take care and happy blogging to ya, from Laura ~
Love those hexies and will definitely be using that technique soon, I suspect as it looks neater than my current method (if you can even call it that). Thanks for sharing!
This is neat. I will have to try it.
wow.. I like it thanx. I sure it would look good on a jacket of some sort too! hhhmmm… thinking. 🙂
That’s a nice-looking binding corner. I get how your are doing this BUT you haven’t explained how you got to here. Is the first stitching of the binding the same as with the regular way? That is, do you sew to within 1/4 in. of the end; stop, remove the fabric; flip the binding up and bring it back down and continue stitching–OR–do you skip this step and just ease the binding around the corner?
Makes sense to me!
Joan
I really like this technique, thank you for sharing it. I utterly detest binding and machine stitch the whole kit and caboodle just to get it done and out of the way, so I might try this method on a smaller project and see if it helped heal the binding pain 🙂
I haven’t seen that method before either and am definitely going to give it a try. Thank you.
Love it! Looks like it may be a little easier to turn the corner – will try on my next quilt.
I think it is a variation of a mitered corner. I googled it and looks like a technique similar to one that is often used to make cloth napkins.
I also use the ladder stitch on my bindings since it is almost invisible if I take my time. It’s time consuming on large quilts but makes for a very nice finish.
Love all you work and following your blog. I made a pillow with opposing triangles and it came out beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity. It is VERY inspiring.
I also follow your instructions for invisible zippers and they have all come out perfect!
Oh I would love it if you sent me a picture of the pillow!!;)
Have you had judges criticize it in shows? I have found that they often think different = wrong on technique issues such as this. How do those exposed stitches hold up over time? It looks cute.
I don’t show my quilts very often, only when I’m a featured artist generally. The stitches hold up great, better than the sides of the binding.