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Make binding that's just right for each side of your quilt!

Reversible quilts are novel and lots of fun to make and use. However, you may face a dilemma when binding a reversible quilt, especially if the two sides vary widely in color and style. What binding fabric will enhance both sides of the quilt? Try this easy binding method to solve the problem. It enables you to select two fabrics for the binding, thus accenting both sides of the quilt nicely. When you finish quilting your reversible quilt, follow these simple directions to make a 1/2" double-fold, French binding.

DIRECTIONS

• Measure the perimeter of the quilt and add 12" to this measurement. This is the binding length. Choose two fabrics for the binding.
• Mentally assign each side of the quilt a letter, Side A and Side B.
• Trim the excess batting to within 1/4" of Side A and Side B.

• Cut as many 1" wide strips from the Side A binding fabric as needed to equal the binding-length measurement. Cut with the lengthwise or crosswise grain for straight-edge quilts or on the bias edge for curve-edge quilts. Be sure to allow about 2" extra for every seam you'll sew to join the strips.
• Join the strips with diagonal seams. Trim and press the seams open.

• In the same manner, cut and join 2" wide strips of Side B binding fabric.
• Place the Side A and Side B binding strips right sides together. Sew them along their length with a 1/4" seam. Press the seam allowance toward the darkest fabric.

• Fold the strips in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press.

• Beginning several inches from one corner, position the binding on Side A of the quilt, placing Side A of the binding against the quilt. Leaving about 6" of binding free, align the raw edges of the binding with the raw edge of side A of the quilt. Pin the binding in place. Adjust as needed.
• Still leaving 6" of binding free, stitch the binding to the quilt with a 1/2" seam allowance, measuring from the raw edge of the batting.
• When you reach a corner, stop stitching 1/2" from the edge of the batting and backstitch. Clip the threads and remove the quilt from the machine.
• Fold the binding up and away from the quilt, forming a 45° angle, as shown.

• Keeping the angled fold secure, fold the binding back down. This fold should be even with the edge of Side A.

• Begin stitching at the fold, through all layers, and continue stitching around the quilt in this manner to within 6" of the starting point.

• To finish, fold both binding strips back along the edge of the quilt so that their folded edges meet about 3" from both lines of stitching and the binding lies flat on the quilt. Finger press to crease the folds. Cut both strips 1 1/4" from the folds.

• Open both strips and place the ends at right angles to each other, right sides together. Make sure the seamlines will be aligned when stitched. Fold the bulk of the quilt out of your way. Baste the strips with a diagonal seam, as shown. Open the binding and check to be certain the side A and side B fabrics are correctly aligned. Readjust if necessary and sew the diagonal seam.

• Trim the seam to 1/4" and press it open.
• Fold the joined strips so that the wrong sides are together again. Place the binding flat against the quilt and finish stitching it to the quilt.
• Fold the binding to Side B, keeping the seamline along the edge of the binding. Trim the batting as needed so that the binding will be filled with batting when you stitch it to Side B.
• Blindstitch the binding to Side B, covering the seamline.

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