Calculating binding for a quilt is an important and necessary step in the quilt-making process. Binding refers to the fabric that is sewn around the edges of a quilt to finish it and give it a polished look. It’s important to properly calculate the binding needed for your quilt so that it fits correctly and looks finished.
The amount of binding needed for a quilt depends on several factors, including the size of the quilt, the width of the binding, and how much extra fabric is needed for joining the binding strips together. The formula for calculating the amount of binding needed is fairly straightforward, but it’s important to take accurate measurements in order to avoid running out of binding fabric or having too much leftover.
In this article, I’ll explain how to calculate the amount of binding needed for a quilt in a clear and concise way. I’ll also provide tips for measuring accurately and choosing the right width for your binding strips. With this information, you’ll be able to finish your quilt with a beautiful and professional-looking binding.
Calculating Binding Yardage
When it comes to quilting, binding is the finishing touch that gives your project a professional look. Calculating the yardage you’ll need for binding can be a bit tricky, but it’s an important step in the quilting process. Here’s how I calculate binding yardage for my quilts:
Step 1: Determine the perimeter of your quilt
The first step in calculating binding yardage is to determine the perimeter of your quilt. To do this, simply add up the length of all four sides of your quilt. For example, if your quilt measures 60 inches x 72 inches, the perimeter would be:
60 + 60 + 72 + 72 = 264 inches
Step 2: Determine the width of your binding
The next step is to determine how wide you want your binding to be. Most quilt binding is between 2 and 2.5 inches wide, but you can make it wider or narrower depending on your preference. For the sake of this example, let’s use 2.5 inches.
Step 3: Calculate the amount of fabric needed
To calculate the amount of fabric needed for your binding, use the following formula:
(perimeter of quilt x width of binding) / 40 = total yardage needed
So for our example quilt, the calculation would be:
(264 x 2.5) / 40 = 16.5
This means that you would need 16.5 inches of fabric for your binding.
Step 4: Round up to the nearest inch
It’s always a good idea to round up to the nearest inch when calculating binding yardage. In this case, we would need to round up to 17 inches.
Calculating binding yardage may seem complicated, but it’s an important step in making sure your quilt looks polished and professional.
By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to determine exactly how much fabric you need for your binding, and avoid any last-minute trips to the fabric store.
Determining the Width of Your Binding Strips
When it comes to binding a quilt, the width of your binding strips is one of the most important factors to consider. The size of your strips will determine the final width of your binding and how much fabric you’ll need for the project. In this section, I’ll go over the process of determining the width of your binding strips.
Consider Your Quilt
Before deciding on a binding strip width, it’s important to consider the size and style of your quilt. A larger quilt will require wider binding strips, while a smaller quilt may only need thinner ones. Additionally, the style of your quilt may also influence your decision. A quilt with intricate or busy patterns may require a thinner binding, while a simpler quilt could benefit from a wider one.
Calculate the Binding Width
Once you’ve considered the size and style of your quilt, it’s time to calculate the binding width. A good rule of thumb is to multiply the thickness of your batting by two and add the width of your desired finished binding. For example, if you are using batting that is 1/4 inch thick and want a finished binding width of 1/2 inch, your binding strip should be 1 1/4 inch wide.
Keep Extra in Mind
When cutting your binding strips, it’s important to keep extra fabric in mind for the corners and seam allowances. To allow for mitered corners, each strip should be cut the length of each side of the quilt plus an additional 10-12 inches. Additionally, each strip should be joined to the next using a diagonal seam, which will require additional fabric.
Determining the width of your binding strips is crucial to the overall success of your quilt. By taking the size and style of your quilt into consideration, calculating the binding width, and keeping extra fabric in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful finished product.
Calculating the Length of Your Binding Strips
To calculate the length of binding strips for your quilt, there are a few things to consider, such as the thickness of the batting and the desired width of the finished binding. Here’s how to calculate the length of your binding strips:
- First, measure the perimeter of your quilt. Add up the length of all four sides of your quilt in inches. Let’s call this number “A.”
- Then, decide on the desired width of your finished binding. Typically, binding ranges from ¼” to ½” in width. Let’s call this number “B.”
- Add twice the desired finished binding width to the perimeter of your quilt. The formula is A + (B x 2) = total length of binding required for quilt.
Here’s an example to help illustrate this formula:
Let’s say you have a quilt with a perimeter of 96 inches.
You want the finished binding width to be ½ inch.
To calculate the length of binding required for the quilt, use the formula A + (B x 2) = total length of binding required for quilt:
96 + (0.5 x 2) = 97 inches
You will need 97 inches of binding fabric for your quilt.
It’s important to remember that you’ll need to add a little extra length to the total length of binding just to be safe. Generally, adding 10-15% extra binding length should be enough.
Calculating the length of your binding strips doesn’t have to be complicated, and it’s an essential step to creating a finished quilt. By following the formula above, you’ll be able to ensure you have enough binding fabric for your project, and you’ll be one step closer to a beautiful finished project.
Piecing Your Binding Strips Together
After cutting your binding strips and ensuring that they have the proper length, the next step is piecing them together. This may seem intimidating, but in reality, it’s a simple and straightforward process.
- Lay two strips on top of each other at a 90-degree angle, with right sides facing each other. This creates an L-shape.
- Sew diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner, using a ¼ inch seam allowance.
- Trim the excess fabric, leaving a ¼ inch seam allowance.
- Press the seam open with an iron.
- Continue this process until all of the strips are joined together, forming one long piece of binding.
It’s important to pay attention to the direction of the fabric when piecing the strips together. If you’re using a print, ensure that all of the strips are facing the same way to maintain consistency in the design.
Once you’ve pieced together your binding strips, it’s time to attach them to your quilt. With the binding wrapped around the edge of the quilt and mitred at the corners, sew it onto the quilt with a ¼ inch seam allowance. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end to secure your stitches.
In conclusion, piecing your binding strips together is an important step in quilting. By following these simple steps, you can create a beautiful and professional-looking quilt binding.
Attaching Your Binding to Your Quilt
Once your binding strips are prepared and joined together, it’s time to attach them to your quilt. This section will explain step-by-step how to attach your binding to your quilt, ensuring a neat and professional finish.
Step 1: Place Binding on Quilt
Begin by laying your quilt on a flat surface with the back of the quilt facing up. Take one of your binding strips and place it along one edge of the quilt, aligning the raw edge of the binding strip with the raw edge of the quilt. Pin the binding strip in place at the beginning of the edge, leaving a tail of binding strip hanging loose.
Step 2: Sew Binding to Quilt
Using a straight stitch, sew the binding strip to the quilt edge, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Sew until you are approximately 1/4 inch away from the corner of the quilt.
Step 3: Form Corner
Stop sewing 1/4 inch away from the corner, and carefully fold the binding strip upwards, forming a 45-degree angle on the corner. Hold the angle in place with your fingers and then fold the binding strip back down over itself, parallel to the next edge of the quilt. This will form a neat and clean corner.
Step 4: Sew Mitered Corner
Slowly sew the binding strip down the next edge of the quilt, starting at the corner where you created the 45-degree angle. When you reach the next corner, repeat step 3 to create another mitered corner. Continue this process until you have sewn binding to all four edges of the quilt.
Step 5: Join Binding Ends Together
Once you have sewn binding to all edges of the quilt, stop sewing approximately 10 inches before you reach the starting point of the binding strip. Trim the end of the binding strip at a 45-degree angle. Take the tail of the binding strip left hanging loose in step 1, and measure it so that it overlaps the trimmed end by 2.5 inches. Cut the tail to this length, and then join the two ends together by sewing a straight stitch through them.
Step 6: Finish the Binding
Finally, fold the binding over the edge of the quilt to the front side of the quilt. Secure it in place with pins, and then use a blind stitch to sew the binding to the front of the quilt. This will give your quilt a neat and professional finish.
By following these simple steps, you can easily attach your binding to your quilt with a neat and professional finish. Happy quilting!
Conclusion
To sum up, calculating the binding for your quilt is an important step that ensures a professionally finished look. With proper measurements and a well-chosen fabric, you can make an attractive and functional binding that will last for years.
Remember to take into account the width of the binding, the seam allowance and the length required for the perimeter of your quilt. Once you have all these measurements, add them up and add an extra 10% to account for any unexpected discrepancies.
When cutting your binding strips, make sure you cut them at a 45-degree angle to ensure a precise fit. Moreover, joining the strips together using a diagonal seam will reduce bulk and give a neat finish.
In conclusion, by following these simple steps with care, you will achieve a beautiful quilt with a perfect binding. Remember, practice makes perfect, so do not be afraid to experiment and try new techniques to improve your skills.
