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Creating and Applying Binding to the Quilt

Definitions

Binding refers to any fabric that is sewn to the edge of the quilt in order to help hold the quilt layers together.  In the photo below, the corners of three quilts are pictured.  Notice the binding around the edges.

There are many types and sizes of binding.  Since binding is made from fabric there is no limit to the colors available.  (Refer to photo below.) 

In this tutorial you will learn about a type of binding officially called French (Double-Fold) Straight of Grain Binding.  (Whew, that was a mouthful!).  Don't be scared off by the fancy name, this is an easy binding to make.   It is also one of the most common bindings.  Because it is made with a double fold, it is very durable. 

You may have heard quilters talk about bias binding.   This is the strongest binding for quilts.  It is the only binding that will 'bend' around curves such as those found in scalloped borders.  The type of binding that we will be making may also be cut on the bias (thus becoming 'French Bias Binding') but this requires a more advanced cutting technique.  For this beginner's class, we will only be working with binding cut on the straight of grain.
  

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