How to Easily Put Binding on the Back of Your Homemade Quilt – Step-by-Step Quilting Binding Instructions

Putting the Finishing Touch on Your Quilt with Backing

Once you’ve assembled all the pieces and stitched together the top of your quilt, it’s time to complete the project by adding a backing. The backing is a key structural element that provides stability, strength, and insulation. It also gives the quilt a polished, professional look. In this article, I’ll explain the different backing options and provide a step-by-step guide to attaching it properly.

Choosing the Right Backing Material

Fabric is the most traditional choice for backing. It comes in a huge variety of prints and solids. Cotton is very durable and breathable, while flannel adds extra coziness. From my experience, a tight weave like quilting cotton results in fewer puckers during quilting. Fusible fleece backing is easy to work with but doesn’t last as long through washings.

Flannel makes for a snuggly backing that’s perfect for cold weather. Choose a dark solid color to help hide any stitching mistakes. The thicker texture means it’s trickier to keep puckers under control during layering and quilting though.

Batting can double as backing if you select a thick, lofty variety like cotton or wool. This one-step process is quicker than layering separately. However, batting isn’t as durable or attractive as fabric on the backside over time.

Upholstery weight fabric results in an extremely durable, long-lasting backing. But it’s heavier and stiffer to work with, and more expensive than standard quilting fabrics. Save it for quilts that will see especially heavy use.

No matter what you choose, buy at least a half yard more than the width and length of your quilt top. This allows for shrinkage and squaring up the edges. Darker colors are less likely to show stitching imperfections too.

Cutting and Preparing the Backing

Once you’ve selected the backing material, take the following steps to get it ready for layering:

1. Cut the backing fabric at least 6 inches wider and longer than the quilt top.
2. Remove wrinkles by steaming or laying it flat under a heavy object like a book for a few days.
3. Fold in half lengthwise and press a sharp crease. This helps you line up the backing during assembly.

Layering and Basting the Quilt

Now it’s time to put all the quilt layers together. Here are the key steps:

1. Lay the backing fabric right side down and smooth it out without wrinkles.
2. Center the backing lengthwise and widthwise on a large, flat surface like a floor or extra-large table.
3. Lay the batting on top, smoothing it out without wrinkles or creases.
4. Place the quilt top right side up on top of the batting, aligning the edges.
5. Starting in the center, use large straight pins, safety pins or spraying basting spray to pin or spray baste the layers together.
6. Work outward in both directions, securing the layers 1-2 inches apart. Pin on all four sides as well.

Concentrate basting at the quilt center where it will see the most use. Also pin pieced areas, where layers could shift more easily. Then the quilt is ready for quilting!

Adding Binding

Now for the final step – attaching the binding. This is what pulls everything together in a completed look. Double-fold binding works best to enclose the raw quilt edges.

1. Cut binding strips 2.5 inches wide and piece them together if needed.
2. Press seams open and press one long raw edge 1⁄4 inch to the wrong side on all strips.
3. Starting in the middle of one edge, align raw edges and pin binding to front of quilt.
4. Sew binding to quilt edge using a 1⁄4 inch seam. Stop 1⁄4 inch before corner and backstitch.
5. Fold binding up at 45 degree angle and then down even with next edge. Begin sewing 1⁄4 inch from folded edge.
6. Repeat mitred corners, mitering all four corners. Leave a 6 inch tail when you finish.
7. Fold tail over beginning tail and stitch in place by hand or machine to complete the circle.

And with that final step, your quilt is completely finished and ready to be enjoyed! I hope these tips help nicely quilt any project. Let me know if you have any other quilting questions.

Steps for Quilting a Backing onto a Quilt

FAQ

1. How do I get started putting a backing on my quilt?

   Basically, you’ll need to lay your quilt top right side down and place the backing fabric on top with the wrong sides together. Make sure it’s big enough to extend past the edges of the quilt top by a few inches so you have enough to fold over and secure later. Kind of align the edges and smooth out any wrinkles.

   

2. What’s the best way to baste the layers together?

   There are a few different options for basting. Pin basting works well but can be time consuming. Sort of like using safety pins or basting spray which helps hold the layers together without physical pins. However, thread basting is considered the most secure method where you sew long stitches to tie everything in place before quilting.

3. Do I need to add batting between the layers?

   Yup, batting is essential to give your quilt some loft and coziness. It goes right in the middle under the quilt top. I’d recommend using a rolled batting for easier handling. Make sure to smooth it out evenly without any wrinkles or bumps. On the other hand, some quilters like using multiple thin layers of flannel instead of solid batting which gives a different texture.

4. How do I finish the raw edges once it’s quilted?

   When the quilting is done, you’ll fold the excess backing fabric over the front of the quilt and to the back. Basically just match up the edges neatly. Then stitch close to the folded edge to secure, and maybe add binding if you want extra reinforcement and a polished look. Is that fair? But binding isn’t totally necessary – you could just finish with zig zag stitches if wanting a casual look.

5. What’s the best way to keep my quilting stitches even?

   Marking guidelines with washable fabric markers can help keep your stitching straight and evenly spaced. You can draw lines or use a quilting template and ruler. Perhaps try practicing on scrap fabric first to get a feel for an even handling and pace. Overall evenness comes down to going slow and maintaining focus. On the other hand, slightly wavy or organic lines can look nice too depending on the design’s aesthetic.

   

6. Any tips for preventing the layers from shifting as I quilt?

   Thorough basting is key so the layers don’t slide around on you. I’d also remove the quilt from the frame periodically to press it and reinforce the basting. Maybe try rolling up the finished sections too, rather than just leaving the material in a pile. Minor shifting is normal but taking breaks helps relieve stress so your stitches remain consistent. All in all, it just takes practice to gain confidence and control as you quilt.

7. Is there a “right” way to quilt it or are designs up to personal preference?

   It really comes down to your creativity and what style you enjoy. Straight line quilting is a simple starting point. But you could experiment with meandering loops, novelty shapes, repeated patterns – the options are stunning. Awful lot of quilters follow the fabric’s print with their stitches too. Anyway, the great thing about quilting is putting your own special touch on it! I’d say just have fun and don’t stress about rules.