Learn how to finish a quilt without using a binding.
This quilt finishing technique is referred to as the pillow case method or the envelope method. This method is appropriate for small quilts, such as baby quilts, and quilt hangings. It is a quick and easy way to finish a quilt.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
1 Square up your quilt.
2. Cut a piece of batting and backing fabric about two inches larger than the quilt size. Some people tell you to cut the backing fabric and batting the same size as the quilt top but I find if I do that when I am sewing the fabrics and batting together, they have a tendency to shift and pucker.
3. Place the batting on flat surface and smooth out.
4. Place the backing fabric right side up on the batting. Make sure the batting and backing fabric are smooth and flat. Pin around the outside edge of the fabrics to hold them in place.
5. Center the quilt top, right side down, on top of the backing (backing and quilt top are right sides together).
6. Making sure the quilt top is smooth and flat, pin every 6 to 8 inches around the quilt top securing all three layers together.
7. On the right edge of the quilt, begin stitching about 2/3 of the way down from the top, using a 3/8” seam allowance and using a walking foot if available.
8. Continue stitch all around the quilt leaving a 10 to 20” opening on the right side which will be used to turn the quilt right side out. Make sure the opening is big enough to be able to insert your hand and turn the quilt right side out.
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9. Trim the batting and backing fabric to the same size of the quilt top.
10. To reduce bulk and excess fabric, carefully trim away as much batting as you can from the seam allowance and trim the corners.
11. Turn the quilt right side out through the opening.
12. Push out the corners and press the quilt flat.
13. You can either hand stitch the opening closed OR you can sew the opening closed by edgestitching around the entire quilt 1/4" from the edge.
14. Finally tie or quilt by hand or machine
Other Binding tutorials you may be interested in are below.
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Learn how to machine bind a pot holder with this tutorial.
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Traditional Quilt Binding - How to finish the edges of a quilt, wall hanging, table runner, placemat, and any quilt projects.
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