Finshing Quilt Binding by Machine

I've got another set of videos for you! This time I'm sharing a great method for finishing quilt binding by machine that works so well, it takes a close look to see that it wasn't done by hand.

 

The above video shows the technique with a few adjustments so that you can actually see it. Instead of my walking foot, I'm using an open toe embroidery foot and more importantly, I'm using black thread so you can see the stitching.

The basics of the technique is that the binding is first stitched to the back of the quilt and then it is stitched down on the front with a very small blanket stitch with a mono-filament thread or a very fine matching thread.



For my Janome 6600P, I am using Mode 2, stitch 38 with a width of .5 or 1 and a length of 2-3. The stitch must be mirrored in order to have the stitch land properly on the binding. This technique can also work with a blind hem stitch, but I am unable to adjust that stitch to fall as I need it on my Janome, so I stick to the blanket stitch.

The second video is shot as I actually finish stitching the binding as I would normally finish it, using the walking foot and mono filament thread. At the end, I show you a very close up view of the binding to show how well the machine stitching hides.


I challenge you to give this technique a try! It's pretty straight forward and yield very good results.

5 comments:

  1. Except for edges that are curved, such as scallops, I have always sewn my bindings to the back and then flipped them to the front for machine stitching.

    BUT .. I've just always top-stitched them down in matching thread. I never considered mono filament with a blanket stitch. Will the mono filament thread of today (as opposed to the "fishing line" of long ago!) launder well?

    The reason I ask is because I machine stitch the binding so that I *know* it will withstand many vigorous launderings. If the mono filament thread isn't going to hold up, it defeats my purpose.

    I'd sure love to use the method if it's durable.

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    1. I’ve used this method mostly on smaller things, but I specifically used it on a “couch quilt” for the kids to see how it would hold up. It’s withstood heavy use by 3,6,and 8 year olds, including a round of stomach flu! The new monopoly threads are so much better than the fishing line of 10 years or so ago.

      (I sent the same response to you via email as I'm not sure if replying here sends an email to you.)

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  2. Thanks for sharing the videos. You're husband is a funny guy! :D

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  3. thanks, Amy.

    Interestingly, no email from you ever arrived but I (obviously) saw your reply here. :-)

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  4. Hi Amy. Thanks for the videos! They are very informative and I was happy to see an actual video of you attaching the binding and listening to you walk yourself through the steps. How wide do you cut your binding? I'm going to try your technique on the next quilt I bind and see how it works for me. I already do this basic method but not with the blanket stitch or with monofilament thread. I'm curious how wide your binding is because when you fold it over to the front it lines up perfectly with that stitch.

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