Have you ever seen a quilt hanging on a wall that looks like a piece of art in a gallery? It has perfectly crisp, clean edges with no visible border or binding. It looks so modern and professional. You might wonder, “How did they do that?”
The answer is a wonderful trick called quilt facing. It’s a way of finishing your quilt that hides the edges completely. While traditional binding creates a frame around your quilt, facing folds to the back, making it invisible from the front.
Learning how to face a quilt might sound complicated, but it’s easier than you think. It’s the perfect way to finish a quilted wall hanging or an art quilt. Today, I’m going to walk you through every step to give your quilt that stunning, borderless quilt finish.
What Is Quilt Facing, Anyway?
Think of quilt facing as a secret, hidden frame. Instead of sewing a strip of fabric around the outside edge like you do with binding, you sew strips to the front and turn them all the way to the back.
This creates a sharp edge and lets your quilt’s design be the star of the show. The quilt facing technique is all about creating a clean, minimal look. You see the quilt, not the finish.
Many quilters love this method for wall art because it doesn’t distract from the piecing or quilting. It just looks… clean.
When Should You Use Facing vs. Binding?
Both facing and traditional binding are great ways to finish a quilt. Neither one is better than the other; they just give different looks and work best for different projects. Knowing when to choose each one is key.
Here’s a simple table to help you decide.
| Finishing Method | Best For… | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Quilt Facing | Wall hangings, art quilts, table runners, modern quilts. | Creates a clean, borderless edge that makes the quilt look like a piece of art. It’s less bulky. |
| Traditional Binding | Bed quilts, baby blankets, any quilt that will be used and washed a lot. | Creates a very strong, durable edge that can handle years of love and wear. |
For a project you want to hang on the wall, learning how to face a quilt is a fantastic skill to have.
Gathering Your Supplies
Before we start, let’s get our tools ready. You don’t need anything fancy, just your basic sewing supplies.
- Your Finished Quilt Top: Trimmed and squared up.
- Fabric for Facing: You can use the same fabric as your backing or another coordinating cotton.
- Sewing Machine: A walking foot is very helpful but not required.
- Thread: Choose a color that matches your facing fabric.
- An Iron and Ironing Board: Pressing is very important for this technique!
- Sharp Pins: You will want to use plenty of these.
- Scissors or a Rotary Cutter: For trimming your quilt and fabric.
- Needle for Hand Sewing: For the final, invisible stitches.
Once you have everything, you’re ready to begin the magic.
How to Face a Quilt: A Step-by-Step Guide
We’re going to break this down into simple, easy-to-follow steps. Just take it one step at a time. You can do this!
Step 1: Prepare Your Quilt and Facing Pieces
First, make sure your quilt is trimmed neatly and all your corners are perfect 90-degree angles.
Next, you need to cut your facing fabric. This is a special part of the quilt facing technique. You will cut two different kinds of pieces:
- Four Corner Squares: Cut four squares of fabric, each 4×4 inches.
- Four Side Strips: Cut four strips of fabric that are 2.5 inches wide. For the length, measure each side of your quilt and subtract about 2 inches. You’ll have two shorter strips and two longer strips.
Now, take your fabric pieces to your ironing board. Fold the four squares in half diagonally to make four triangles and press them well. Then, take your four long strips and fold them in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press them.
Step 2: Attach the Facing to Your Quilt
Lay your quilt on your table with the pretty side facing up.
First, place one of your pressed triangles in each corner. Line up the raw edges of the triangle with the raw edges of the quilt corner. Pin them in place. This part might feel strange, but trust the process!
Next, take your pressed side strips. Place them on top of the triangles, again lining up the raw edges with the edge of the quilt. Center each strip on its side. The strip should overlap the triangle on each end by about an inch. Pin everything securely. The more pins, the better!
Now, take your quilt to your sewing machine. Sew all the way around the quilt with a quarter-inch seam. A walking foot can help all the layers feed through evenly.
Step 3: Turn and Press for That Clean Edge
This is where the magic really happens and you achieve that finishing a quilt without binding look.
First, carefully trim the fabric at each corner to reduce bulk. Be very careful not to cut into your stitching line.
Now, let’s turn the facing to the back. Start with one side. Gently pull the facing strip around to the back of the quilt. Use your fingers to push out the corner so it’s nice and sharp. The facing should wrap around the edge so you can’t see any of it from the front.
Use your iron to press it flat. This helps set the crisp edge. Use your pins to hold the folded edge of the facing strip in place against the back of the quilt. Work your way down the side, pressing and pinning as you go. Repeat this for all four sides.
Step 4: The Final Touch – Hand Sewing
The last step is to sew the facing down by hand. This ensures no stitches are visible from the front.
Thread your hand-sewing needle and tie a knot at the end. Use a blind stitch or a simple whipstitch to sew the folded edge of the facing strips to the quilt backing. Your stitches should only go through the backing and batting, not all the way to the front.
Here’s a very important tip: Do not sew the diagonal openings of the corner triangles closed! These will act as perfect little pockets. You can slide a small dowel rod through them to easily hang your beautiful quilted wall hanging.
FAQs
What is the golden rule of quilt borders?
The golden rule is to always measure first. Measure your quilt top through the middle. Then, cut your border strips to that exact size. This stops your borders from being wavy. It keeps your whole quilt flat and square.
How can you finish off the edges of your quilted product?
There are two main ways. The most common way is called binding. This adds a fabric frame around the edge. The other way is called facing. This method hides the finish on the back of the quilt. It creates a clean, modern look.
What do you put around the edge of a quilt?
That fabric frame around a quilt’s edge is called binding. It is a long strip of fabric. It covers the raw edges of the quilt sandwich. This makes the quilt strong and gives it a finished look.
Which side of quilt batting faces up?
For most batting, it does not matter. Both sides are the same. But some batting has a right side. Look closely for tiny bumps or dimples. The bumpy side should face down, toward your backing. The smoother side should face up. Always check the package instructions.
Should I square up a quilt top before adding borders?
Yes. You should always square up your quilt top first. This is a very important step. It makes sure your quilt has straight sides and true corners. Adding borders to a squared quilt ensures everything will lie perfectly flat.
You Did It! A Perfect Borderless Finish
Take out your last pin and step back to admire your work. You have just learned how to face a quilt! You’ve created a stunning, modern finish that lets your beautiful quilting shine. It’s a technique that adds a truly professional touch to any wall hanging.
With a little practice, this method will become a favorite in your quilting toolbox. It’s a wonderful alternative to traditional binding and is perfect for so many projects.
Now it’s your turn to try it. What quilt will you finish with this amazing technique? Let us know in the comments below