This is a technique we've used in several tutorials, and it's been so popular, we thought it should be its very own project so you can refer to it whenever you need it. It's a great way to finish the edge of a blanket, a table runner, a wall hanging – just about any flat square or rectangle. Admit it ... you rubbed that satin blanket binding on your cheek and sucked your thumb, didn't you? Oh, wait, that was me. The technique takes a little practice, because you have to make sure you are catching both sides of the binding as you stitch. But I have great confidence in you, and I know you'll be binding everything in site in no time.

1. Seam together your bias tape or blanket binding tape to create a length that will go completely around your project with about 1" - 2" extra. For example, if you're making a baby blanket that is 34" x 34", you would need approximately 138".
2. Starting in the middle of one side of your project, unfold your tape and slip it over the the raw, edge stitched seam. Work from the right side. Be very careful that your middle fold is right on edge and your binding is even on both sides. Pin from your starting point to the first corner.
   
3. Bring your project to your machine, and starting in the middle (where you started pinning), stitch the binding to the project, staying as close to the edge of the binding as you can. This is where that practice comes in; make sure you are catching both sides of the binding equally.
   
4. Sew to the corner and stop. Back-tack to lock your seam.
5. Remove the project from under the needle and clip your threads, but do not cut your binding.
   
6. Fold a pleat in the corner to make a 45˚ angle. Pin. Encase the new side's raw edge with the binding, working your way to the next corner. Press and pin in place.
   
7. Return to your machine, and matching your first line of stitching, edgestitch around the corner and down the side to the next corner. Stop at the corner and back-tack.
   NOTE: By "around the corner" I mean you should drop your needle in at the end of your original line of stitching, stitch into the corner, pivot, and then stitch down the new edge. This way, your line of stitching around each corner will appear uninterrupted.
   

8. Repeat these same steps at each corner.
9. When you return to your starting point, tuck under the raw edge of the binding, match bottom edges and match your stitching line to finish. Press.
   
10. If you want super flat and secure corners and ending overlap, you can slip stitch the corner folds and the tucked fold where the binding ends.

Hints and Tips

If you prefer to make real mitered corners, Starting in the middle of one side, attach your binding, mitering all four corners and making a simple folded edge finish where your ends meet. For more details, link to our tutorial, Bias Tape: How To Make It & Attach It.

Comments (13)

shellyc said:

... I used this tutorial and it work wonderfully! Thanks sooo much!

January 11, 2012

Beginner19 said:

... Ok Thanks!

August 31, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @ beginner 19 -- yes -- that is what step #10 is explaining: "If you want super flat and secure corners and ending overlap, you can slip stitch the corner folds and the tucked fold where the binding ends." You can see that well in our Teen Pretty Pack Blanket tutorial: http://sew4home.com/projects/bed-linens/796-teen-pretty-pack-minky-marshmallow-bound-blanket

August 31, 2011

Beginner19 said:

... I am going to make a baby blanket like the one shown at the top, I have never sewn mitered corners before and I have some questions. If I am only sewing along the bottom part of the binding, like shown, then on each corner won't there be a little gap where it should be sewn? Where the corner meets the top of the blanket. I'm just thinking this through in my head and I'm trying to figure out if I need to sew each corner down in addition to the sewing mentioned above. Hope this makes sense.

August 31, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Nanassewmuch4fun -- thank you for such a nice compliment... wow - a notebook - I'm impressed

April 01, 2011

Nanassewmuch4fun said:

... Hi Liz - I just love Sew4Home I'm making the Spa Wrap and it's so wounderful that you can print your projects and tutorial's so we can have them hands on while we work on our projects. I've even made a notebook with all the projects I want to try. You make it seam so easy...... Thanks!

April 01, 2011

Nat said:

... thankyou for this tutorial, I used it to make a baby blanket, I did make some mistakes, but overall happy with it. http://craftybitsnpieces.blogs...anket.html

March 03, 2011

christina said:

... i think you're right....it seems a little daunting....

January 13, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi christina -- I'm not 100% sure what you are asking. It sounds as if you want to make a two layer blanket - minky on one side, satin on the other with the same satin as the binding? If that is correct, I would suggest the easiest way to do it would be to cut identical squares of both the satin and the minky and stitch them wrong sides together around all four sides (stitch close to the raw edges) ... if you add batting between, you may also need to do some lines of quilting across the blanket to keep the layers from shifting. Then cut a strip from your satin to use as the binding and bind as shown above. Trying to wrap the back around to the front as the binding could be done, but is much more complicated in terms of cutting and folding so it wraps correctly and looks good on the corners. Could be done, but would take much more time and space than I have here. So -- use another piece of matching satin to make your trim -- way easier and faster and it will still look just dandy.

January 13, 2011

christina said:

... how do I do do the trim if I am using the back of the blanket....minky on one side, satin on the other with the satin folded over as the trim?

January 13, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Mary, you need to fold the 2-1/2" strips into your own "double fold bias tape" so that you have folded edges to work with, like the packaged bindings. So, you probably would want to start with a wider strip than 2-1/2". Here are a couple projects where we used this technique, so you can see the strip sizes we started with and how it worked out: Blanket: http://sew4home.com/projects/b...by-blanket Spa Towel: http://sew4home.com/projects/b...y-spa-wrap

December 13, 2010

Mary Malone said:

... I make a bunch of baby quilts for at risk babies and children. I don't MIND handstitching the binding - but if I can do THIS that would be great! I'm thinking it would work with 2 1/2 " strips we quilters use for binding quilts, right? This will be super with fleece on one side and flannel on the other or 2 sides flannel. Thanks for this one! Also, I LOVE my Janome mc 4000 but I may be looking for an UP grade! Mary

December 13, 2010

manny said:

... me encanta!! antes no sabia como hacerlo y ahora parece tan facil!!....GRACIAS!

September 21, 2010

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