Bind Your Quilt with Backing Fabric! Quick and Easy!

leahday.com/pages/prepare-qui... What is a self binding quilt? It's where you bind the quilt edges with the backing fabric! Learn how to measure, cut, fold, and stitch the backing fabric as binding in this video. This method is faster than traditional binding because we don't have to cut and sew extra binding strips.
#quiltingbasics #quiltingtips #quiltingtutorial
A few notes about this method:
This is NOT a mitered binding technique. The corners have a squared-off, overlapped finished and you do have to take a few stitches by hand in order to turn the corners neatly and securely.
For a mitered binding technique, check out this tutorial - leahday.com/pages/prepare-qui...
For a faster mitered binding technique using precut bias binding, watch this video - • How to Sew Binding In ...
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Ceramic Marking Pencil - leahday.com/products/ceramic-...
Jump ahead to your favorite part of this bind a quilt tutorial:
00:00 Self Binding Quilt? See the look
00:15 Measure and Mark Backing Fabric
01:11 Cut on Line with Scissors - 2 Sides Only
02:32 Folding Backing Fabric
03:18 Tip - Glue the fabric down!
04:09 1st Line of Stitching Preview
04:36 Suspend Your Quilt
05:04 Fold and Stitch Binding to BACK
07:00 Why I Cut with Scissors
07:50 2nd Line of Stitching Preview
08:39 No Show Stitches? Here's How
09:50 Stitch Backing Binding to FRONT
10:27 Mark and Cut Remaining Sides
11:22 Key Cut the Backing for Corners
12:05 How to Fold the Corner
13:46 3rd Line of Stitching - Turning Corner
15:45 What is your fav binding method?
16:30 Leave LONG Thread Tails!
17:15 Hand Stitch Corner with Thread Tails
19:51 Don't Extend the Binding Beyond Edge
20:23 Where to Begin Last Stitching Lines
21:35 Final Look of Binding with Backing Fabric
22:06 Bye Bye See Ya Later!

[@rootsrocksfeathers1975]

I love using the backing for binding, but I've never seen the corners done this way. I think I'll try this next time, thank you, Leah! ~Cynthia

[@LeahDay]

I'm still playing with this idea and trying to find a way to cut it to do mitered corners. The tricky part is pulling the fabric back and around, but more playing at my cutting table and I'm sure we'll find a way!

[@rootsrocksfeathers1975]

@@LeahDay I'm sure you will, Leah!

[@cherylwilliams42]

Gosh! I love the hearts you put on that quilt. I must do more QAG!

[@LeahDay]

I'm so glad you like it! The heart stitching was not quilt-as-you-go, but was just the method I used to satin stitch the circular appliques in place.

[@pamela4822]

I actually used my backing for binding on some wall hangings. It works great.

[@LeahDay]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing!

[@beatricewright5304]

I'm the worlds' slowest quilter. I haven't finished my first quilt yet...lol...it's a kennel quilt for my dog. So I haven't done any binding yet. I'm brand new to quilting. So far I've been pretty frustrated with trying to cut properly. I'll get the hang of it though. One of my friends said it's supposed to be relaxing....not frustrating...

[@LeahDay]

Are you trying to make every part perfect? Perfectionism often leads to procrastination and then to paralysis... It's okay to make mistakes and to be a beginner. If it's really frustrating, try to see all the steps to quilting in a different way where perfection doesn't make it any better. I hope that helps!

[@kristisnyder4435]

Great video. I appreciate a new way to bind quickly! Also, Betty is adorable!

[@LeahDay]

Awesome! She really is a doll!

[@SewWhittle]

I’ve done this style of binding too, but I did mitre corners. I loved your process too, but you lost me at “get a needle to sew a few stitches”. 😂

[@LeahDay]

You're welcome to try with no hand stitching... just probably not going to finish as neat.

[@juliec2393]

Excellent tutorial. I don't like the guide on my 1/4" foot either & moved it out of the way so I could see the edge of the presser foot 😂 I've never tried binding this way, but planning to do it on the next round of NICU covers.

[@LeahDay]

Wonderful! So happy to be able to help you quilt for charity!

[@AliciaSaginario]

Good morning. I love this technique, thank you for sharing.

[@LeahDay]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@patriciaguevara8793]

I think I’ll need to try this technique out - thank you - very informative 😊

[@LeahDay]

So glad you enjoyed learning this!

[@VonnieOdette]

I prefer mitered corners and double fold binding. I do like this variation of using backing fabric, though. I may try it if I have a quilt that I haven't tested the tension really close to the edge of the quilt after changing my bobbin on the longarm.

[@LeahDay]

That is my preference as well, but when I don't feel like cutting binding, or piecing bias packs together (I can get really lazy!) this works and is pretty efficient. It's nice to have multiple options!

[@sandycampbell6087]

When folding over binding, what about bypassing ‘traditional’ stitching by folding binding edge over to front side & machine stitch binding in place or would this create a ‘puff-like’ binding? Just trying to eliminate extra step in traditional stitching & save time. Just a thought :).

[@LeahDay]

This does work and both reduces the fabric needed and saves one line of stitching. The problem is this - the edge of the quilt is rarely free of extra stitching lines or basting. Personally I like to stitch a victory lap around the outer edge to stabilize it. If you only fold backing to the front, any extra stitching on the edges of the quilt will show, and at least to my eye, look pretty bad.

[@sandycampbell6087]

@@LeahDay Makes more sense about bad stitching showing up as want to have quilt back look as nice as front! Thanks for pointing that out, Leah! BTW, plan to use this technique on my next quilt :).

[@lindabrookshire1963]

Where could I find the quilt suspension system that holds your quilt up all your sewing

[@LeahDay]

You can find it here - leahday.com/products/quilt-suspension-system

[@maryt2887]

Hi, Leah. Would you explain why the first two sides are cut at 2 1/4 inches and the other two are cut at 2 inches? Thank you.

[@LeahDay]

I explain this in the second half of the video - you could go as wide as 2.5 inches or as narrow as 2 inches. This is entirely based on your preference. It will be easier (more fabric to work with) at 2.25, but I noticed the edge of the quilt was not very plump. I like a fat, puffy edge which wears better than a flat creased edge from having a bit too much fabric. So just know - any distance between 2-2.5 will work, it’s up to you to test and decide how you like it.

[@victoriamurphy3771]

Where did you purchase the quilt suspension system?

[@LeahDay]

We sell them! You can find it here - leahday.com/products/quilt-suspension-system

[@victoriamurphy3771]

What marking pencil are you using?

[@LeahDay]

One of my favorites! You can find it here - leahday.com/products/ceramic-fabric-pencil

[@victoriamurphy3771]

I should have watched the whole video, which is amazing btw, before asking questions….sorry about that… I noticed something on the left is holding your threads away from your machine/quilt. May I ask what that is? Thanks, Leah.

[@LeahDay]

What time is the thing you noticed? LOL! Not exactly sure what you're referencing.

[@victoriamurphy3771]

As I watched further it looks like something that is attached to or an actual part of your machine.

[@victoriamurphy3771]

@@LeahDay 6:47 just above your hands on the left.

[@jodieschlaerth9607]

@@victoriamurphy3771that’s the thread guide. It’s in a spot that is more visible than mine.

[@florencemcowen5526]

Is it possible to use a mitered cornet ith this method???

[@LeahDay]

No, not that I’ve found yet. Because we pull the fabric back and then to the front, the corners will be trickier to miter. Still playing though!

[@florencemcowen5526]

@@LeahDay Please let me know how this works, if it does. I love this method and I'm going to do it on a quilt I just finished quilting. Thank you so much for all your guidance

[@victoriamurphy3771]

What iron are you using?

[@LeahDay]

I've switched to a Japanese Panasonic dry iron which you can check out here - amzn.to/3VVL5L3

[@rkirk111]

Why are you showing video black and white instead color? It's hard to see because of background and bright. I can't see too well. Thanks for showing video. Please next time color video the whole time.

[@mouseboots46]

I see color. Purple

[@mouseboots46]

A very old fashioned method.

[@theresek863]

I also see color. It is not black and white for me.

[@SewWhittle]

At 13:52 it turns black and white periodically for short times and through 21:37. Must be the lighting.

[@LeahDay]

There was a contrast issue with my camera - largely because it was such a dark purple fabric. Had I not played with the color a bit, even going to black and white in places, you wouldn't have been able to see anything. Doing my best, but I'll probably make this video again with intentional high contrast for clarity!