3-Yard Quilt Binding 101 - Economy Binding
When I came up with the concept of 3-yard economy quilts, I wanted to make the largest quilt possible with just 3 yards of fabric. I knew that I couldn't get the traditional double fold binding from 3 yards and still achieve my goal of making a big quilt with a little fabric. You see, a traditional double fold binding uses 1/2 yard for a quilt the size that I can make with 3 yards and I preferred to put that fabric in the quilt top. That's how the single fold, economy binding became the standard for the 3-yard quilt designs. (If you prefer a double fold, you will need to add 1/2 yard fabric to make it).'
Watch this clip on how to cut and press the binding.
Once you cut the 1 1/4" strips of fabric, sew these strips together end to end and press as shown in the video clip above. Place the right side of the strip to the right side of the quilt top, leaving a tail of fabric of about 4 or 5 inches loose. When you begin stitching, use a scant 1/4" seam allowance. (a scant quarter inch is about one stitch less than a regular 1/4")You can see where I began stitching the strip to the quilt top in the next photo.
Sew to the first corner. Lock stitch or take a couple of stitches back. Remove piece from the machine.
Now fold the strip at a 90 degree angle and secure with a straight pin.
Next, fold the strip back over itself.
Return to the machine and begin stitching a scant quarter inch from the edge.
Repeat this for all 4 corners. Once you get close to the place you began, stop stitching about four inches from the starting point. Lock stitch. You will have a long tail at the beginning and end of the binding.
Bring the two ends together and place a pin where they meet.
Check to make sure the binding matches securely with the quilt. Now fold the excess quilt away from the binding and place a pin to hold it out of the way.
Stitch the two ends of the binding together where it is marked with the pin. Remove pins from quilt and binding. Check to see if the binding fits securely next to the quilt.
Once you are confident the binding and quilt match up, trim the long tails 1/4" from stitching.
Press 1/4" seam open.
Stitch binding and quilt together closing the opening.
Turn the binding to back of quilt and blind stitch in place. The corners will fold nicely into a miter. Here's the back.
Here's the front.
If this tutorial was helpful, let me know. If you have questions, I would like to know those as well.
Watch this clip on how to cut and press the binding.
Once you cut the 1 1/4" strips of fabric, sew these strips together end to end and press as shown in the video clip above. Place the right side of the strip to the right side of the quilt top, leaving a tail of fabric of about 4 or 5 inches loose. When you begin stitching, use a scant 1/4" seam allowance. (a scant quarter inch is about one stitch less than a regular 1/4")You can see where I began stitching the strip to the quilt top in the next photo.
Sew to the first corner. Lock stitch or take a couple of stitches back. Remove piece from the machine.
Now fold the strip at a 90 degree angle and secure with a straight pin.
Next, fold the strip back over itself.
Return to the machine and begin stitching a scant quarter inch from the edge.
Repeat this for all 4 corners. Once you get close to the place you began, stop stitching about four inches from the starting point. Lock stitch. You will have a long tail at the beginning and end of the binding.
Bring the two ends together and place a pin where they meet.
Check to make sure the binding matches securely with the quilt. Now fold the excess quilt away from the binding and place a pin to hold it out of the way.
Stitch the two ends of the binding together where it is marked with the pin. Remove pins from quilt and binding. Check to see if the binding fits securely next to the quilt.
Once you are confident the binding and quilt match up, trim the long tails 1/4" from stitching.
Press 1/4" seam open.
Stitch binding and quilt together closing the opening.
Turn the binding to back of quilt and blind stitch in place. The corners will fold nicely into a miter. Here's the back.
Here's the front.
If this tutorial was helpful, let me know. If you have questions, I would like to know those as well.
That was soooo helpful, Donna! Thank you. Your work is such quality work and your tutorials are excellent!
ReplyDeleteHi Annelle, thank you so much for taking time to comment! Donna
Deletewow you make it look so easy. And it was THANKS
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'm glad it was easy!
DeleteThank you for these instructions.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! and thanks for your comment! Donna
DeleteI wanted to watch the video since I'm a beginner quilter but there isn't a video just written instructions with pictures. No better off than I was reading the pattern.
ReplyDeleteHi Ally,
DeleteI'm sorry you were disappointed. I do videos on somethings, but chose still shots so the pictures could be studied. I'll take to my web guy about doing a video too! Thank you for taking time to write to me! I always want to know what our customers are thinking! Donna
Hi Donna! I recently purchased three 1 yard kits from you at the Oaks show in Pennsylvania. Today I whipped up a beautiful kit in a few hours! It went together so easily and I was just thrilled with it! Easy cutting and sewing when you're just in the mood to sit down and get right to sewing without dealing with complicated instructions. I received your excellent book with my kits and it was a great help. I look forward to purchasing many more kits in the future. Thank you so much!! Marianne
ReplyDeleteHi Marianne,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comments! I appreciate you for taking the time! My new book releases this week. I think you will love it! check it out. https://www.fabriccafe.com/Easy-Peasy-3-Yard-Quilts-book-p/031740.htm
Thanks for your instructions! I really like the less bulky binding you get with this method. I have used it for four charity quilts. I appreciate that you have written instructions with photos rather than a video.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Donna Robertson
DeleteVery clear, thank you! However, in my pattern for "It's a Snap", p. 16 in the book "Pretty Darn Quick!" I am told to cut two "border extensions" 4" long and a "binding extenstion: 8" long. But nowhere in the directions does it tell me how to use that or what it is for. I just eliminated it from the pattern and did fine. Can you say something about what the purpose is of these "extensions"
ReplyDelete?
That's a great question! I consider a 3-yard pattern is an economy quilt. In order to make sure there is enough fabric for most quilters to make the pattern work, I use 42" as the width of fabric when I estimate yardage and the cuts that must be made. Good quality fabrics usually have small selvages that must be trimmed off, but occasionally, those selvages are large and a quilter would not have enough fabric to make the borders. Therefore, to accommodate various widths of fabric, I create border extensions to ensure there is enough to do the border. I hope that helps! Donna Robertson
DeleteThis is exactly what I needed. My Mother In Law gifted me one of your 3 yard quilt books for Christmas. I finished my first pattern and I'm getting ready to start binding tomorrow. I was worried about the corners but this clarifies everything. Thank you! This is the first quilt I've done entirely by myself! It has been great fun making your quilt!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it helped! Donna
DeleteYour tutorial for binding the quilt was very easy to follow. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated. I am referring your website and tutorials to others interested in quilting. 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate it! Donna
DeleteDo you use a walking foot or a traditional foot for sewing the binding to the quilt?
ReplyDeleteI usually use a 1/4" foot to apply the binding that I finish by hand. If sewing the whole process on the machine, I recommend using a walking foot. Donna
DeleteGreat tutorial! Very clear,helpful directions. Love making the 3 yard quilts!
ReplyDeleteLinda, that is awesome! Thanks for your comment! Donna
DeleteLove the 3 yard quilt idea and can't wait to start my project. I did notice this shows the binding machine sewed to the front of the quilt but when I'm reading the book, it says to machine quilt the binding to the back of the quilt? Which one should I do? Also would love pictures of when you turn the binding from the front to the back and the corners. Thank you for all your guidance!
ReplyDeleteYou actually put right side of binding to right side of the quilt then machine stitch, turn to the back side and hand stich in place. Look for the Blog with the photos on this same site.
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