Magic Binding with Flange

Someone had shared with me a post over a year ago for a “magic binding”.  I had successfully used the technique on a charity quilt, posted about it, and then forgot it.  A month ago a friend showed me a quilt she did with the technique and reminded me that I had written about it on my blog.  Thanks Erin for the reminder.

Since I am currently finishing up a number of baby quilts and a number of Triangle Frenzy table toppers, this was a good opportunity for me to get caught up on my binding.  So I thought I would re-share the technique, with a few more photos and suggestions for successfully creating this magic binding.

Step 1  - Calculate number of strips needed. 

Measure the perimeter of the quilt.  Divide by 40 and round up to the next whole number.

Step 2 - Cut the strips.

Binding fabric strips are cut at 1-1/4”.  (Blue fabric in photo.)

Flange fabric strips are cut at 1-1/2”.  (Red fabric in photo.)

For all strips, cut 45 degree angles on the ends.  Keep my strips folded wrong sides together when making this cut.

Step 3 – Combine binding and flange strips for one long strip of each.

Because I folded the strips before cutting the 45 degree angle, the strips will all interlock.  If one side doesn’t work, flip to the other side when piecing.

Step 4 - Combine both long strips together.  

Step 5 - Cut a 45 degree angle on combined strips. 

Step  6 - Press toward BINDING  FABRIC.

Step 7 - Fold long piece in half wrong sides together and press again.

Step 8 - With flange side up, sew the flange on the BACK side of the quilt.

Step 9 – Combine beginning and end of binding.

Here is my tip for this step.  Leave about a four inch tail before starting to stitch down the binding.  Start stitching in the middle of one of the sides.  When you are about eight inches from the start, lay the binding flat and mark the point the end matches the start of the binding.  Also draw a short mark that shows the “angle direction” of the starting piece.

Open the binding and match the 45 degree angle on a ruler with the bottom of the binding.  The pencil mark should be at the 3/8 inch mark on the ruler.   (Technically this should be ½ inch – but because we are working with bias, I have found more success making it a bit smaller.)  Cut the 45 degree angle.

 Now sew the start and finish pieces together with ¼ inch seam.  You should now be able to sew the continuous binding down with no gaps or extra bulk.

Step 10 - Press binding toward the quilt front and pin in place.   

The flange should extend slightly beyond the ¼ inch sewing line.  I like to use the red Clover Wonder clips to hold the binding in place until I can sew it down.  

Step 11 - Stitch in the ditch on the flange.

Change thread on the machine so the top thread matches the flange cover (dark blue) and the bottom thread matches the backing fabric or the quilting thread used for the back of the quilt (light blue in my example).   

Here are a few additional Triangle Frenzy quilts with the Magic Binding.  These were made using the Triangle Frenzy patterns by Bunnie Clealand and are a great way to use border fabrics.

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Happy quilting.

Kari

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