Hello, fellow makers! The final step in making a quilt is often the most rewarding. The binding is like the frame on a beautiful picture. It brings everything together and gives your creation a clean, finished look. But let’s be honest, hand-sewing a binding can take hours. It can be slow and hard on your hands.
What if I told you there’s a way to get a stunning, two-color finish on your quilt without a single hand stitch?
Welcome to the magic of the faux flanged quilt binding. This clever technique gives you a beautiful little “peekaboo” line of color tucked inside your main binding. Best of all, you can do the entire process on your sewing machine. This guide will walk you through every step in simple, easy-to-follow language. Let’s create a beautiful finish you can be proud of!
What is a Faux Flanged Binding?
Before we start sewing, let’s talk about what makes this binding so special. A faux flanged binding looks like you attached two separate pieces of fabric: a thin inner strip (the flange) and a wider outer strip (the binding).
The secret is that it’s actually one clever strip of fabric that you create yourself. This method gives you that pop of color and a professional look. It’s the perfect way to add a custom touch to your quilt. And since it’s a full machine quilt binding technique, it’s strong, durable, and fast.
Gathering Your Supplies
A great project starts with having the right tools ready. You don’t need anything too fancy for this. Here’s a simple list of what to gather before you begin.
| Item | Purpose | Expert Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Finished Quilt | Your masterpiece, ready for its frame! | Make sure your quilt is trimmed and the corners are squared up. A straight edge is key for a straight binding. |
| Two Fabric Colors | One for the main binding and one for the peekaboo flange. | Choose high-quality quilting cotton. Good fabric makes the process much smoother and looks better in the end. |
| Matching Thread | Thread to match your flange fabric and thread to match your quilt backing. | You’ll use one color on top and another in the bobbin for the final step, so having both is important. |
| Basic Sewing Tools | Sewing machine, rotary cutter, mat, ruler, and an iron. | Your iron is your best friend here! Pressing at each step is the secret to a crisp, professional two color quilt binding. |
Step 1: Cutting and Preparing Your Fabric Strips
Accurate cutting is the foundation of this technique. The measurements are very specific to create the flange effect. Don’t worry, it’s easy once you know the numbers!
You will cut strips from your two chosen fabrics. One fabric will be your main binding, and the other will be the skinny flange.
| Fabric Piece | Width to Cut |
|---|---|
| Flange Fabric (the “peekaboo” color) | Cut strips at 2 inches wide. |
| Binding Fabric (the main, outer color) | Cut strips at 1 and 3/8ths inches wide. |
To find the total length you need, first measure the distance around your quilt. Just add up the lengths of all four sides. Then, add an extra 15 inches to that number. This gives you plenty of length for turning corners and joining the ends neatly.
Once your strips are cut, sew them together end-to-end to create one very long flange strip and one very long binding strip. Press the small seams open to keep them flat.
Step 2: Creating the Two-Tone Binding Strip
Now it’s time to combine your two long strips into one. Place the two strips on top of each other with the right sides of the fabric facing together. Make sure to line up the long edges perfectly.
Take the layered strip to your sewing machine and sew along the entire length with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You will now have one extra-wide, two-toned strip.
Next comes the pressing. First, take your strip to the ironing board and press the seam allowance toward the smaller fabric (the binding piece).
Once that is done, you will do one more fold. Fold the entire strip in half lengthwise, matching up the raw edges. Press it firmly. When you are finished, you will have a beautiful, professional-looking binding strip. One side will show just the flange color, and the other side will show both the binding and the flange.
Step 3: Attaching the Binding to Your Quilt
This is where the magic really happens. We will attach this binding completely by machine, starting on the back of the quilt.
Preparing the Starting Corner
Before you start sewing, you need to prepare the beginning of your binding strip. To do this, make a 45-degree cut on the starting end. Then, simply fold that angled edge under by 1/4 inch and press it. This creates a clean, finished pocket that you will use to join the ends later.
Sewing the Binding On
Place the binding strip onto the back of your quilt. The raw edges of the binding should line up with the raw edge of your quilt. The side of the binding that shows only the flange color should be facing up at you.
Start sewing about 6 inches away from the prepared corner, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. When you get close to the first corner of the quilt, stop sewing 1/4 inch away from the edge. Backstitch to secure your stitches, and remove the quilt from the machine.
To create a perfect mitered corner, fold the binding strip straight up, creating a 45-degree fold. Then, fold the strip back down so it lines up with the next edge of the quilt. This creates a little triangular fold of fabric at the corner. Put the quilt back in your machine and start sewing from the very edge, continuing down the next side. Repeat this process for all four corners.
Joining the Ends for a Seamless Finish
As you sew around the quilt and approach where you started, stop about 8-10 inches away. Now you have two ends to join.
Lay the end of your binding strip over the starting pocket you created. Trim the end so it overlaps the start by about an inch. Simply tuck this raw end neatly inside the folded starting pocket. Pin it in place and sew the final section down, stitching right over the join. It’s that simple! This is a great trick for a no hand sewing quilt binding.
Step 4: Finishing on the Front
Your binding is attached! Now for the final, satisfying step. Flip your quilt over to the front.
Carefully roll the binding from the back over to the front. The fold of the binding should just cover the stitch line you made. Use clips or pins to hold it in place all the way around the quilt. As you do this, your mitered corners on the front will form naturally. Just fold one side over the other for a sharp, clean look.
Now, take it to your machine one last time. You are going to “stitch in the ditch.” This means you will sew right in the “ditch” or seam between your flange and your main binding. Use thread that matches your flange color in the top of your machine, and thread that matches your quilt backing in the bobbin.
Sew slowly all the way around the quilt. An edge-stitching foot can be very helpful here if you have one. This final line of stitching will secure the binding on the front while creating a nearly invisible stitch on the back.
FAQs
How much does it cost to bind a quilt?
The cost changes. It depends on who does the work. If you bind it yourself, you only pay for fabric. This is very cheap. Paying a professional costs more. They often charge by the inch.
What size is a flange binding in inches?
The flange is the small strip of color. It is about 1/4 inch wide. This creates a thin, pretty line on your quilt.
What is the formula for binding a quilt?
First, measure all four sides of your quilt. Add those numbers together. Then add 15 extra inches to that total. This is the final length you need for your binding strip.
How to make binding with a flange?
You need two fabric strips. One strip is wider than the other. Sew them together along one long edge. Then press it. Fold the whole strip in half and press again. This creates the flange.
What is the alternative to binding a quilt?
You can use a “pillowcase” method. Place the quilt top and backing right sides together. Sew almost all the way around the edge. Leave a small hole. Use the hole to turn the quilt right side out. Then sew the opening closed.
A Beautiful Finish for Your Cherished Quilt
And there you have it! A gorgeous, durable, and professional faux flanged quilt binding done completely with your sewing machine. You get the beauty of a two-color accent without any of the slow work of hand sewing.
This technique is a fantastic skill to add to your quilting toolkit. It proves that a beautiful finish doesn’t have to be difficult.
What color combination will you use for your next faux flanged quilt binding? Share your creative ideas in the comments below!