This is a basic tutorial for binding. It’s nothing fancy, but it does add to the item that is being made. In this tutorial I am making a Pillowcase Dress. The binding is under the arm. This gives the outfit a finished look and takes it up a notch. Binding can add interest and more color to a project with binding too!
How to sew Binding :
- Cut the fabric 2 inches wide. The length with vary on the item that you are binding. Mine for the dress was approx 11 inches long. {be creative here…use a coordinating color to add interest to your piece or match it with the same fabric}
- With fabric wrong side up, fold over the edge of the fabric about .25 inches. Repeat for the other side.
- Next is pinning the binding. With the right side of the fabric, in this case the dress, and the right side of the binding, pin it together slightly away from the edge of the fabric.
- Once it is nicely pinned, set your machine to about a 2, or a tighter stitch. Too stitch this on you want to stitch in the ditch, meaning, stitch along the pressed line
- Now that you have it stitched down, head back to the ironing board and fold and press it down to the back side of the fabric. Once that fabric is in place, pin it down.
- The last step is to stitch the back of the binding in place and the way I do this is to sew it down with the visible side up on the machine. You want the side that will be worn on the outside of the garment to be stitched nice and straightNow you have attached your binding!!
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Wow, you make this look so easy and you are absolutely correct, it adds a professional touch to the finished product. That fabric is great too.
Thank you for sharing.
Mommy Sauri~
http://casadesauri.blogspot.com
So glad you found this helpful! I found the fabric cheap at hobby lobby!
So informative, thank you. Just one ? where did she get her pins! they are adorable and totally would put a smile on my face.
Lisa, I found the pins at Joann’s. These are great because they are easy to pull out as I sew and I am not digging for the little tiny silver ones and breaking a needle!
i’ve been sewing for 17 years now and i have NEVER been taught a good way to do binding. this is perfect!! thank you! :D
Leslie, I am so glad you came across this one! I taught myself. I bought a fancy machine that will fold the material and press it for binding and I don’t every use it. The old fashion way is always easier! Let me know if you have any more questions!
finally a easy diy sewing tutorial! thank you. I might actually be able to pull this one off!
Do It!!! Let me know if you do, I’d love to see pictures!
Katy this is fantastic! You make it lOok like something I could actually do! Haha :) thanks for sharing.
Mandi, you can do this! Practice, it gets easier!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us Katy! I am so happy to have you apart of our little LS ‘Family’ ;)
Hello, Love your BLOG. Just an added note, making/cutting fabric to be used for binding and/or casing for piping would be easier to work with if the fabric is cut on a bias (hense the name bias tape)this allows for greater ease and flexibility. Example if where you are sewing the binding around a placemat, bib, or even garment armholes; cutting it on a bias allows the fablic to curve better and remain laying flat. But for small projects pot holders, placemates etc with square edges/straight lines cuting the fabirc with the grain uses less fabric and would be fine.Not sure if I explained myself clearly or not..also investing in a cutting mat and rotary cutter makes this super easy, either way you cut it!!thanks, keep up the great work