While I don’t love the process of binding a quilt, I love what it symbolizes. The project is nearly complete and ready to be used!
This week, we are sharing a little twist on a regular binding. We are using a Flange Binding. You’ll need 2 fabrics and a couple extra steps, but overall the process is about the same as regular quilt binding. We’ll be attaching our binding by machine, but you can hand stitch it as well if you prefer.
What is Flange Binding?
Flange Binding is a binding that includes two fabrics, a main fabric and an accent fabric. The accent fabric will only show a tiny amount and is a fun variation on a regular binding. This type of binding works really well with contrasting colors so that the accent really stands out. If you are using similar colors, it’s going to be hard to see the difference.
Flange Binding – Step 1
As stated, you’ll need 2 fabrics, a main and an accent. You are going to need to cut a long enough length of each to bind the project, but the widths will be slightly different.
The main fabric is going to be cut at 1 1/4″ wide. Cut enough strips the width of the fabric that you can sew them together and create the length needed for your quilt top.
The accent fabric is going to be cut at 1 1/2″ wide. This seems wrong, but we promise, it needs to be bigger! The accent fabric will be the half that sits inside the fold and that little extra will make what folds around and shows in the finished binding.
After you have cut your strips, you’ll want to sew the strips of each fabric together to create two long skinny strips.
Want a Different Sized Binding?
We are using a 2 1/4″ strip to make our binding. If you prefer a different size, just remember that your main fabric needs to be 1/4″ less wide than your accent fabric.
Flange Binding – Step 2
After you have sewn your two color strips together, make sure to iron the seams. Lay the skinner strip on top of the wider strip and sew them together along the length of the strip. Iron this seam towards the skinnier main fabric. After you have ironed the seam, fold your binding in half and iron it again. One side should be all the accent fabric and the other side should be mostly the main fabric with a small strip of the accent fabric.
Flange Binding – Step 3
We are now going to sew the binding to the quilt top. For this technique, you are going to want to start on the back of the quilt. Even if you plan to hand bind it, make sure you sew to the back first. Leave a nice tail, about 10″ and start in the middle of a side. Lay the binding down and sew with a 1/4″ seam all the way around the quilt, making sure to fold and pivot at the corners so that when we flip the binding, you will get a nice mitered corner. When you get to the last side, stop 10-15″ from the start and secure with a backstitch. Leave a tail about 10″ long and trim the extra binding.
Flange Binding – Step 4
Lay the tails down along the edge of the quilt, one on bottom and one on top. In about the middle of the unstitched portion, make a mark on all sides of both binding strips. Unfold the binding on the bottom with the right side up. Unfold the binding on the top with the right side down. Match up the main fabric edge of the top binding with the marks on the bottom binding, right sides together. You’ll be creating a 90 degree angle with the two strips. Pin as needed. line up the mark on the accent fabric side of the top strip with the main fabric edge of the bottom fabric. Pin in place. Draw a line from corner to corner where the two strips meet. Sew on this line. Double check that your binding is the right width and laying correctly. After you have confirmed it fits, trim the seam to 1/4″.
Flange Binding – Step 5
Fold the binding back in half and finish sewing the binding strip to the back of the quilt. Make sure to secure both ends with a backstitch.
Flange Binding – Step 6
Fold the binding around the front and sew on the line between the two fabrics. If you are hand sewing, you can sew along the edge. We like to use a stitch in the ditch foot for this step. It makes staying lined up right on the seam line really easy. Fold and pivot around your corners as needed.
With only a couple extra steps, you can easily add a little extra touch to your finished quilt! We love using flange binding on mini quilts and also on quilts meant for kids. This look also works great on holiday projects and works best with two contrasting fabrics. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Happy Quilting!
Kimie and Missy
