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| What's your preferred method of binding? |
Therefore, my first experience with binding was when I made that
controversial multi-zip organizer
in 2015. Because the PDF was abso-fricken-lutely no help at all in
terms of how to sew the binding, I had to look online for a similar project
and ultimately did what was done for whatever it was that I found.
I eventually incorporated that same technique when I created my own pattern
for sale.
But guess what? I don't do it that way any more. Why? It's not quite
foolproof.
What is foolproof? Well, in my humble opinion, the way I now do it is fairly foolproof. But before I go there, let me illustrate a couple of not so foolproof methods of attaching binding. (Bias or otherwise; the former is required when you are binding something with curves. By the way, in all my examples here, I am referring to 1/2" double folded bias binding or tape.)
First, there's the "cheater" method.
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| "Cheater" method of attaching binding... (this is my Travel Toiletry Tote) |
The idea here is to wrap the unfinished edge without unfolding the
(double folded) binding and then just sew around once.
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| While you can sew along one side nicely, the other side may be a bit "off"... |
While this eliminates the step of going around a second time, the result won't
be the best, particularly if what you're binding is thick.
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| Cheater method using ribbon as binding... (this is my Tablet Envelope) |
That said, if you use this technique with ribbon like I've
done above, it can work out fairly well.
The second method is what I did with my own multi-zip organizer projects.
With the binding completely unfolded, one raw edge is lined up with the raw
edge of whatever it is being bound. (Note: this should be the
front side of whatever is being bound.)
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| Common step 1 for attaching bias binding... |
The binding is then sewn at just under a half inch (I like to use 3/8" or
1cm).
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| Common step 2 for attaching bias binding... |
The remainder of the binding is then refolded and wrapped around to the other
side and secured.
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| Common step 3 for attaching bias binding... |
The sewing part, however, is done from the original (right) side, stitching in the ditch.
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| The "stitch in the ditch from the front" method... |
If you're very good at this, this method does produce a tidy finish. If
you're just moderately good, you may occasionally experience this on the opposite side...
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The other side of the binding may not always be secured with this
method...
(this is my Tea Cozy) |
Having part of your binding not sewn down is hardly optimal, but you can't
control what you can't see and that's what happens here with this method.
My current go-to method — which I consider essentially foolproof — is the method I've been using for the past couple of years. Technically, it's identical to the last method, except that the final sewing is done from the second side without the requirement to stitch in the ditch.
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| Step 1 & 2 are done on the back side of whatever you're binding... |
The binding is completely unfolded and one raw edge is aligned with the raw
edge of the item being bound. (Note: this should be the back side of
whatever is being bound.)
It's then sewn down at just under 1/2" (3/8" or 1cm again).
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| Step 3... |
The binding is
then refolded and wrapped around to the other side; i.e., the right side. (I've found that the bias binding usually takes on a life of its own and "knows" what to do here.
There's actually not a lot of need to use clips to hold it in place.)
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| The edge stitch from the front method... (this is my Quilted Hanging File Organizer) |
Finish by edgestitching the binding in place. This technique may not produce
the perfect finish that the previous method might — provided one is perfect at stitching in the ditch (which I am not) — but it generally produces very good results. And there won't be any issue with the binding not being sewn down at any point.
Do you have a go-to method of binding that you prefer?
'Til next...
