How do I make a bias quilt binding?

I am making a baby quilt and need to make a self-made bias binding. I am a beginner.|||A binding can be single or double layer - I prefer double because it wears better and is easier to finish. It can also be bias or straight grain. Bias is best if you have curved edges on your quilt, because it has more stretch. If you have straight edges, you can use fabric cut on the straight of grain (selvage to selvage). It's easier to cut.





Cut strips of fabric 2 1/2" wide (best size for a beginner). Sew them together end to end to make a long strip of fabric that it at least a few inches longer than the total of all sides of your quilt. When you sew the ends together, don't sew straight across. Cut them at a diagonal and then sew them. This way when you fold it in half and then wrap it around the edge of the quilt, you won't have one giant lump of seam. Fold the long strip in half and press all the way along it. You may want to use a little steam, or spray some water on it, or even use spray sizing or spray starch to give it a little more oomph.





Starting on a side (NOT at a corner), place the binding on the front of the quilt, with the CUT edge of the fabric lined up with the edge of the quilt. Sew the binding onto the quilt using a 1/4" seam, but don't start at the very beginning of the binding. Start an inch or two from the edge. This will help when you get to the end.





When you get to the corners you need to miter them. It is easier than you think! Mark the point 1/4" from the corner. When you get to this point, stop sewing (do NOT go past it!). I like to take one or two back stitches and then go forward again to that point. Fold the binding back (so it forms a T from the edge of the quilt). The binding will make a perfect 45 degree angle in the corner. Hold the binding in place and fold it forward, so it matches the edge of the next side of the quilt. You want to keep that angle, and the fold in the binding should be even with the first edge. Start sewing again in the same spot you left off - 1/4" from both edges in the corner. Continue until you ALMOST reach your starting spot.





Trim the extra binding off you have only a couple of inches of overlap. Fold one of the ends back INSIDE itself at an angle (just like when you sewed the strips together). This gives you a finished edge. Tuck the other end inside the folded back end. Make sure the folded end completely covers the cut end by at least an inch. Finish sewing the edge to the quilt.





Now to finish! Fold the binding over the edge of the quilt. At the corners, work them until you have nice neat folds so the fabric lies flat. You can use many different things to keep the binding in place, but I like to use those old hair clips - the flat metal ones that pop open and closed (see below for an example, but look for them in beauty supplies - they're cheaper). It's a lot easier on the fingers than pins. I don't clip the entire binding. Instead, I use about five clips at a time, spaced four inches apart. I just keep moving the clips forward. Hand sew the binding to the back of the quilt, keeping your stitches hidden behind and inside the binding. It's a little time consuming, but it looks much nicer.





If you prefer to machine sew your binding entirely, then follow the same steps but attach it to the BACK of the quilt and fold it to the front. Using your sewing machine, sew along the edge of the binding from the front of the quilt. Try to stay about 1/8" inside the binding edge. This will look nice from the front, but you'll have a thread line on the back of the quilt. Be sure to use bobbin thread that matches the quilt backing!





Check out the links below for instructions with pictures.|||I could answer this, but you wouldn't understand. Go to a fabric store. The people there can tell you.