5 Binding Decisions to Make When Finishing a Quilt

Imagine you’ve just finished quilting your latest project (or gotten it back from the longarmer), and now it’s time to bind your beautiful quilt. What do you do? If you’re like most of us, you have a tried-and-true binding method that you use every single time…probably the way you were first taught)! Raise your hand if you usually attach double-fold binding using your sewing machine before folding it over and finishing it off with hand stitching. 🙋

To be clear, that’s a great way to bind and finish a quilt! But it’s not the only way. You can actually work through all kinds of decisions as you make, prep, and sew your binding that can completely change the look and feel of your binding…and make a surprisingly big impact on your overall quilt.

Think of these choices as your chance to imagine something different for your next quilt! Let’s walk through some of them together…and get inspired to try something new.

My Clover Ruby Sue quilt is machine bound with a sweet print

1. Select a binding method
2. Choose your binding type
3. Consider the width you want
4. Decide on a color or print
5. Pick your stitches
How to explore your options
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1. Select your binding method

Before you start dialing in the nitty gritty of your binding, you need to figure out the big picture. Do you want to attach a separate binding to your quilt, like most of us do? Or do you want to create a foldover binding using your backing fabric? Maybe you even want to create a facing instead of binding? You have quite a few options for finishing the raw edges of your quilt, it all depends on the vibe you want to create!

A classic separate binding

Sewing a foldover binding made from the backing fabric

Now is also the time to decide if you want to make any changes to the shape of your quilt, like curved corners or scalloped edges…because flourishes like those will affect the decisions you make for your binding!

My Zen Garden Nightingale quilt with scalloped edges

My Spiceberry Petite Plaid tree skirt with curved edges

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2. Choose your binding type

Let’s assume you want to attach a separate binding (instead of doing a foldover technique). Next, you need to figure out what kind of binding you want to choose!

STRAIGHT VS. BIAS

Straight grain binding is usually the default choice, since it’s easier to handle (no stretching!) and simpler to make.

Classic straight grain binding

But if you’re working with curves (like curved corners or scalloped edges), you’ll want to cut your binding on the bias instead. A bias cut gives your binding strips a little stretch and flex, which lets them go around those curves beautifully. Just make sure you don’t accidentally stretch out your bias binding as you work with it!

(Technically speaking, bias biding is slightly more durable over time, but straight grain binding works just fine for most quilts - and it's what I use 99.999% of the time. And even if your binding wears out, you can easily replace it!)

Cutting bias binding from yardage

DOUBLE-FOLD VS. SINGLE-FOLD

You can also pick between double-fold binding (aka French binding) and single-fold binding. If you’re not sure about the difference, there’s a good chance you use double-fold. That’s the kind where you cut a strip, fold it in half, sew it onto your quilt, fold it over the raw edge, and then stitch it down. (This gives you four layers of fabric on one side and two on the other, with two layers on your raw edges.)

Double-fold binding ready for use

For single-fold binding, you sew a flat strip of fabric to your quilt, and then fold it over on itself and again over the raw edge of your quilt. You end up with two layers of fabric on each side of the quilt and one covering the raw edges.

Since you’re working with less fabric, single-fold binding can give you a cleaner, flatter look (perfect for art quilts or show quilts)…but double-fold binding is slightly more beginner friendly and maybe a smidge more durable, which is why I think it’s so widely used).

DIY VS. PRE-MADE

Any kind of binding (straight or bias, double- or single-fold) can give you a beautiful finish, but you’ll need to decide which kind you want before you start measuring and cutting…or before you buy ready-made binding from a store. Many big box craft stores carry pre-made binding (though it’s usually 100% polyester, so be careful with your iron), or you can find super cute 100% cotton binding from online shops like Bessie Pearl.

Of course, making your own binding isn’t difficult…and when you make your own, you have complete control over every single detail! That’s why I almost always make my own, even though pre-made binding can be a useful shortcut.

3. Consider the width you want

Next you need to decide how big you want your binding to be. You can keep it narrow for a sleek, modern look, or make it wider to create a bolder frame around your quilt.

For standard double-fold binding, 2.5” is probably the most common width…although personally I love to make my binding a bit narrower at 2.25”. It really comes down to personal preference!

My Speckled Heirloom Hearts quilt with 2.25" binding

If you want, you can make your binding even wider…but if your quilt has an edge-to-edge pieced design (without a border), you run the risk of cutting off part of your design (especially your points).

For single-fold binding, you may want to cut your binding narrower, especially since you’re probably going for a sleeker look. Some people go as skinny as 1-¼”! Again, it just matters what look you’re going for.

4. Decide on a color or print

At this point, you get to make one of the most fun (and most impactful) decisions about your binding: what fabric you want to use!

There are so many different ways to decide, even if you’re just sticking to a solid color. You can match the binding to your background for a super subtle effect, or you can add a contrasting pop of color for extra interest! I also love to pick an accent color from my quilt top and use that as my binding…and it’s amazing how sometimes it really pulls the whole quilt together.

I matched the binding to the background fabric of my 90s version Granny Patch quilt

The binding adds a fun pop of color to my black and white Kona Homecoming quilt

I used an accent color from the quilt top to bind my Cherry Blossom Granny Patch quilt

Things can get even more exciting when you branch out into prints. Small geometric repeats, like stripes, plaids, and ginghams, give you room to play with grain lines. You’ll get a completely different effect if you cut your binding on the cross grain instead of the straight grain…and a fun diagonal look if you cut on the bias!

This stripe-y binding adds extra playfulness to the Cover Valley Song quilt

You can play around with other prints too. Just keep in mind that a big print may get cut off or look distorted when you turn it into binding…so if you really want to use a larger print, test it out with a small strip before you commit. Personally, I don’t use prints for my binding too often…but I’ve always liked the look when I have!

I love how the bold print looks on the binding for my Tangerine Knitted Blooms quilt

Of course, you don’t have to commit to just one fabric! Scrappy binding is another great option, especially for scrappy quilts…but it works with other kinds of quilts too!

I made a scrappy binding for my Blossoming Mosaic Star quilt

5. Pick your stitches

Now that you’ve made so many choices, you just need to decide one more thing: how you want your binding stitches to look!

First, you need to decide if you’re going for hand binding or machine binding.

If you pick hand binding, you can go for traditional, hidden options like a whip stitch or invisible stitch…or you can go for a bolder, more modern look with chunky hand binding. I also love playing around with hand-stitched stars, cross stitches, and flowers, which add an extra special touch.

I'm a big fan of chunky hand stitch binding!

With machine binding, you can always go for the default straight stitch, but you can also play around with zigzags and decorative stitches too!

I did some basic but beautiful machine binding on my Cover First Gift quilt

Your stitches may be small, but they make a big difference in how your binding looks. So feel free to express yourself…or to hide them for a classic feel. As with all the other decisions we’ve made about binding, there are no wrong answers here!

How to explore your options

With just these five different decision points, you can create completely different looks! Think about how a foldover binding with hand-stitched stars creates a completely different look from a machine-stitched straight grain binding...and how they both would look so different from a whip stitched bias binding around curved corners!

Instead of being an afterthought, binding can be a beautiful finishing touch. Of course, it can feel a little intimidating to branch out from what you know…which is why we explore and explain many different binding options inside Quilt Finishing Fellowship!

Registration will reopen in 2027... get on the Quilt Finishing Fellowship waitlist and you'll be the first to know when doors reopen. 🙂

Happy binding!

Frequently asked questions about quilt binding

WHAT IS THE STANDARD BINDING FOR A QUILT?

Most quilters use a straight grain, double-fold binding cut into 2.5” wide strips…but there are no rules that say you have to bind your quilt that way!

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HAVE SOMEONE BIND A QUILT?

Lots of longarm quilters will bind your quilt for an extra fee, but the exact amount depends on your quilt size, if you want the binding completely finished or just attached on one side, and whether you provide the binding or have them make it. Plan on budgeting at least $40 to have someone bind your quilt…and potentially more depending on the quilt size and finishing method.

WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO BIND A QUILT?

Machine binding is usually the easiest way to bind a quilt! It’s faster than hand binding, and you won’t need to learn any new stitching techniques to get started.

DO YOU START BINDING ON THE FRONT OR BACK OF A QUILT FIRST?

If you’re making a traditional quilt for a show, you probably want to attach the binding to the front of the quilt first and then hand-finish it on the back. That’s the most widely accepted method…but there’s no hard and fast rule that says you have to do it that way.

5 Binding Decisions to Make When Finishing a Quilt

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