I was taught to cut my binding strips 3” wide and machine stitch on the back wrap it around to the front then machine stitch it down. My quilts are meant to be used, loved and washed a lot and this really holds up. Anything that helps me create quilts more easily is great in my book! I live the binding bobbin!

I love hand sewing binding, I find it really relaxing to do it watching TV at night. I hate sewing binding on completely by machine. To begin with it was because I didn’t like the way it looked ( I wasn’t very good at it) but I just find it enjoyable to do it by hand and easier to deal with the bulk of the quilt.

3” binding has been my go to for a while now. So much easier. ❤

I love hand binding! I think of it as sealing the love into the quilt at the end. I used to cut my binding at 2.5 inches, but I now cut it at 2.25 inches, and love the result I get. I love how we all use different measurements and techniques, to make our quilts unique.

My mom always took a piece of heavy cardboard and would cut it in the shape of the binding bobbin, but bigger. She had all of her binding wrapped up like that. She has done it that way for over 50 years now. It is funny that people make these old things new again LOL

I have been using 3” for my last 2 quilts! It makes such a difference!!! Yeah so glad you said 3” is better!!!❤❤❤

I do the same method when I sew bindings all on the machine, except I still do 2.5 inch width but just move my needle over all the way to the right when I sew it on the back. And then flip it over and sew. It looks exactly like yours. It was huge when I discovered doing it this way!

I actually love binding. It’s my favorite thing to do and I get into the groove when I cut my fabric. I make my binding strip 2 1/4 inches I use stitch in the ditch and it comes out perfect.

I've been using 3" Since I started making quilts. However I don't sew it on at 1/4" it's more like 3/8's , because I wanted it to be more even on both sides and so far it has worked out great.

I hate cutting but I love binding by hand! Ironically, the fact that I had no idea how to do the binding kept me from quilting for decades until KZfaq came along! That quilt binding spool sure is pretty!

Oddly, I love cutting and binding. Cutting as it offers so many possibilities and binding as it's my final interaction on the quilt. People in my guild think I am nuts!

I always use 3 inch binding because it's wider and easier for me to sew on my quilt. Thx...now I don't feel so bad for not using the 2.5 inch. You're the best...

Omg, I just made a quilt and decided to try your 3" binding....I am floored. It is so much better than the 2.5", how can that be. I'm new to quilting and struggle with the 2.5" binding ( not the straightest on my sewing or cutting ) this makes it so much easier. Thank you for this tip.

I agree! I have been making my binding 3" for a long time. I'm 65 and it is just so much easier on my hands.

I have used this method too. Yes is it great! I love playing with my binding too. I also use paper towel rolls to keep my binding from knotting up. But that acrylic keeper is super cute.

3” binding is such a great change! Thanks for sharing this tip!

I would have liked this to be a demo video rather than the constant repeating that this is a game changer. I kept advancing the video but the sewing demonstration was never there. Just my POV, I like presenters that get right to the point of the video.

Good idea. I machine bind all my quilts usually using the flange binding and they look fabulous. Been doing this way for 10 years. So much easier.

I make utility quilt like my grandmother. She always wrapped the backing fabric over to the front, doubled it and stitched it down. If I feel fancy, I'l miter the quarters, but mostly I overlap the corners. I like to have the batting nearly as wide, then I roll it tightly and stitch it flat. Fast, easy, and functional.

I was sewing on a binding for one of my friends, I was having a hard time pulling it over far enough with her hanging sleeve on the back. That’s when I decided I was going to make all of my quilts with a 3” binding. So glad I did, I love it, it’s so much easier, I was surprised to see your video and you were doing the 3” binding. I’m with you, I’ll never go back to 2.5”’s. ❤

I always bind with 3 inch binding too. Makes all the difference in the world. Another great tip? If you have a serger, serge the quilt edges before you bind. I longarm and finish professionally and this makes the edges lay much better.

Great and thank you I’m going to try this out on my lap quilt.

I must be the odd one in the bunch, but I love binding. I attach my binding by machine, too, but I do love attaching the binding. I use 2 1/2 inch and it works perfectly for me, and I don’t find it difficult at all to do the binding. Might be bc I’ve been sewing garments for almost 60 years.

I use decorative stitches to attach my binding to the front of the quilt, so I don't mind it showing on the back.

What a difference a 1/2 inch makes on the binding! Love this tip. Such a simple adaptation to make life easier.

I love hand sewing a binding on it’s a time to just let your mind relax and rest.

Thanks for this idea of having a wider binding. I'm going to try it. Have to say I love the hand sewing and it looks so much niceron a quilt. You do need to fit some some slow sewing into your life if it's so busy. Really good for mental health to sit and hand sew slowly!

Sometimes i just want to macine the binding, so this will really help. I am going to try it. But, honestly, the favorite part of quilting is hand sewing the binding on. It relaxes me. But i am retired and have lots of quiet time.

Finally someone said it out loud! lol. Yes, traditional quilting methods, hallowed be the ways, have existed and are a definite set of foundational knowledge for those just starting out. As my 90-something piano teacher used to say, almost at every lesson, foundational knowledge , like learning and understanding music theory while simultaneously learning to actually play, is absolutely a non-negotiable - or, in her words, "you can’t break the rules without knowing the rules!" All that said, quarter inch seams, fabric allowances prior to trimming/squaring-up, 2.5" binding - all become arbitrary when you understand and can adjust for the math. Now, everyone hates math (myself included) which is why the “standards" of quilting have stuck (i.e., been memorized) but you cal literally make a quilt out of any sized block or piecework, with any sized seam allowance, as long as you remember (queue trumpet fanfare and drumroll…) to account for whatever seam allowance in your final measurements. And no offense, it’s basic math here….not calculus (though some of the more "expert level" patterns give me anxiety as surely the creator was a math major…but the rule still applies here, although a bit more complexly…. Anyway…. THANK YOU. My seams tend to be closer to half an inch AJ’s as with the binding method here…quilt making became immeasurably less tedious and frustrating. At the end of the day….know the rules but don’t be imprisoned by them. This is supposed to be fun, right? Find a way and make it your own. Unless you’re in a competition, a gorgeous quilt is still gorgeous and only the snootiest of eyes will care to comment on your work. ❤

I love your idea about making binding. I actually love binding because it's the last step before you are FINISHED!!!! ❤️ I am intrigued by the idea of 3" binding. I will try it on my next quilt as i already made the binding for my current quilt. Great tutorials BTW. Cheers! 😊

Thank you for showing the up close views of the back. My idol, Eleanor Burns, always taught 3 inch binding. ❤❤❤

I’m a visual learner and a beginning quilter. It would help to actually show your sewing on the binding.

3 inches!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yesssssssssssssssssss. My standard. So happy I found a member of my quilting tribe. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

I have been cutting 2-3/4" binding, which has been a good choice for me; but I will try out 3" next time. Every little bit of "easy" is a good thing! Thank you!

I prefer videos without padding and for presenters to get to the heart of the demo quicker. I didn’t get through it sorry.

This is the first time I found your channel. I love to do binding by hand or machine. I will follow your recommendation and start using 3 inch wide binding. I have always been following the rule that the binding has to be the same width on both sides of the quilt. I do Ike how you use a straight stitch to attach the folded edge and it looks nice on the back with the quarter inch wide binding. I will look forward to see your other videos and I will let you know when I make a project for myself and use the 3 inch wide binding. Thank you so much for your easy and relaxing way you present things. You are a natural teacher and I will look forward to see all your videos.

Hi Christen. Wow...this binding idea of yours is a game changer!!! So grateful to you! I'm not a "modern" quilter, however I've subscribed because if you have something to say, I'm LISTENING!!! Hugs from the Rockies in Canada.

I do the 3" binding and have begun to appreciate the binding process. It means I am close to celebrating another project I can be proud of!❤

Hi Christen. Maybe this is what I need. I use to do decent binding no trouble, but now I have wet macular degeneration and the binding process is not going very well at all! Someone had suggested using 3" binding, but I didn't know how it would look. So, thanks for sharing! I hope it's the answer to my problem. Happy quilting!

Thank you for pointing out the differences between bought binding and homemade binding.

Thanks for all your tips on binding.

I tried a faux flange binding and love how it goes on by machine. Game changer!

Honestly thought this was going to be pointless but honestly…. I’m impressed. Just finished a quilt with 3 inch binding and I’m in love. I will NEVER go back to 2 ANYTHING inches.

Thank you so much for this video I am new to quilting I have wanted to make a quilt for years and I am dyslexic so I am a visual learner books are hard for me. Your videos have inspired me and this is the year. I am working on my first quilt. I started last weekend. Keep the videos coming.

SOMEONE SAID IT!!! lol I LITERALLY Just Five Minutes Ago said to myself, I’m going with a wider binding…and Then This Video Popped Up!!! HAHA LOL. Whoohoo! :)

OMG!!!! I tried out this method and boy did it make a difference! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE , this! I will never go back to the other width again. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I love your channel and all your tips. Thanks again. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I tried this! My binding came out fabulous. Thank you so much!!!!

I sew my binding to the back by hand, but I have always used 2-5/8” or 2-3/4” wide binding. I want to have enough binding to easily cover the bobbin thread that shows from sewing the binding to the front. Sometimes I want to sew the binding on with a 3/8” seam, so I adjust the binding width to accommodate that. I also take into account the thickness of my batting. I keep samples of various widths of binding and test them on my quilt by pinning before I cut my binding strips. Loved this video.

I've used three inch binding for a long time because it is easier for me to put on the quilts I've made. It is easier to wrap to the back for me.😊

Omg…..I totally agree! I frequently use 3 inch and I love how much easier it is, but I also love the way it looks with that little bit extra. Thank you for this!

Thank you! I made the 2.5” binding for a hot pad yesterday…The corners were awful! I thought about doing a 3” but, oh no…EVERYONE says it must be 2.5”…..Making another hot pad today…and I’ll be trying the 3” for sure! 🩷🩷. Blow off the naysayers! This is YOUR channel! Talk and tell things the way You want. I enjoy the details…if others don’t, they can easily move along…💕

I recently added a 3 inch binding to a quilt per your instructions. LOVED IT😊😊. Best binding I've sewn . Will recommend this technique to my quilt guild. Thanks so much!

Thanks so much for explaining this! I just now finished binding a quilt and also had that stitch line below the binding. I will definitely be a 3 inch binding girl! May even 4. You are awesome!

Thank you for this video. I started doing my binding 3" a while ago. The 2 1/2 was just so frustrating. I can't believe the difference but felt like I was inadequate and "breaking the rules". It is refreshing to know I am not alone. Thank you again. Looking forward to following you for more tips

That's so odd to hear you say quilters don't like cutting & binding... I really enjoy both - especially hand-sewing binding but I do a lot more all machine binding now. I like to machine sew to the Front first then I can either machine or hand-sew to the back.

I love, love, love this post! Hind binding is too hard for my fingers now and 3” looks like both sides will look perfect!! Thank you!!!

I love cutting & enjoy machine binding. Ive never tried 3" binding, but i will def try it now. Thank you💜

This video popped up as I was searching for easy quilt binding. First, you are really pretty, with a good attitude, nice voice, and interesting presentation style. Second...BLESS YOU!!! YES to the wider binding! BIG hugs from your new subscriber!! 🤗🤗

I love a 3" binding. It's so much easier to attach and the results are perfect. The extra half inch allows for much better coverage over a thick batting. My 2.5" bindings were a minor disaster. 3" all the way, every time for me.

I use a 4 inch binding👍 I totally agree, changed my life!

I just finished a quilt and decided on a 3 inch binding. You are right! It was so much easier. Thanks for sharing!

Great! Since I’ve started quilting few years ago, I’ve always done 3” binding….found it easier to work with and I like the extra width. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for posting about 3 inch binding! I used to hide the fact that I used 3 inch binding! I won't hide that anymore! When I changed to 3 inches, my binding looked so much better & wasn't as stressful as 2 1/2.

I quilt cause I love the whole process.

I am totally in agreement. Makes binding easier

I just found your channel. You have such a cute personality! You are cheerful, bubbly, and so fun to watch! Thank you for the great tips!

I also hate the binding process. I sew my binding on and I find it very intimidating. I think having more material to work with is a dream come true. Thanks for the tip! I'm going to try this for sure!!

I've been using wider bindings for a few years now and you are absolutely correct. It is much easier. I cut mine & sew it so that the front and back stitch lines are 1/8" onto the binding fabric, avoiding the random line on the back.

I switched to the binding foot for my machine, so I use 2 1/4" binding. Love the binding tool, but for those of us who can't afford it, I use a piece of pool noodle 😊

I've never heard of this, but I'm willing to give it a try 😊.

I never knew there was a "standard" size for binding. I vary it depending on the quilt. I just finished a quilt and put a 3/4" (!) binding on it (that's 4 5/8" cut strips, or 3 1/8" for single fold) and I LOVE the look, like another border on the edge. Thanks for the ideas for quick binding. I might try it, but I do enjoy hand-sewing binding on the back. It's theraputic. Like knitting. Great video!

I am certainly going to try this. Thank you for the idea.

I've always loved sewing the bibding diwn by hand. I love the handwork and I love how it looks. I must be an anomaly because I also love cutting up fabric. Hmmmmm....

Great video! Thanks! I actually love the entire binding process. It means that my quilt is all done. 🥰

I hate doing binding. This seems like this will help a lot! Thank you! I can’t wait to try it!

Ok, i did the 3 inch on my last quilt! I'm a convert!! Thanks so much for sharing this tip!!! 😁

Thank you so much for sharing! I will definitely be using your technique on my first quilt that is ready for binding! I used 2.5" binding on placemats for practice and to say it was a struggle is an understatement!

Thank you for showing the BACK of your binding stitches. I have watched 100 videos of the 1/4 in run off to make perfect corners, but could find nothing to solve my problem of the stitches in the back not looking nice and uniformly straight! Sure the front looks good but I hated when for whatever reason I could not make it look uniform in the back and some spots would run off the edge. Why I wasn’t smart enough to make it a little bit wider!!!!???? I am going to run and bind the large mug rug I made last night and try this! Thanks again!!

This is exactly how I’ve been doing it for years!!!

I have been using this method for years but I always use 2.25 or 2.5 inch binding and it works beautifully. I have never thought of 3 inch. I guess it would depend on the style of quilt you are making. I wouldn't want to have my points cut off with the binding using wider binding if the quilt was a style without an added border. Thanks so much for your lovely channel. I enjoy watching it. 🥰

I do the 3 1/2 binding I love how it frames the quilt. Thanks for all the ideas 💡

I tried 3 inch binding once and I didn’t find it life changing but a left compensating foot for binding is life changing no matter what size binding you are using! Happy Quilting!

Will definitely try 3” as when I did 2.5 I wasn’t happy with the results. Thank you!

Thanks for mentioning the flange binding! I too feel this is much easier to do than a regular binding. And, everyone who has received one of my quilts thinks it looks so complicated!

I am definetly going to try this method, I'm not in the love to bind camp either. Anything to make it easier I will try. Thank you for showing this

I am definitely going to try the 3” binding on my next quilt coming up. I wished you would have shown the actual process rather than just the results. It does not say your video is a tutorial but I am happy to try this and hope I love it. Thank you!

So love your channel! I am going to try this 3" instead of 2 1/2". I have tried the flange binding before. Makes it look so much more professional. Going to try the 3" soon. Thank you for sharing.

Going to try this on the quilt that I'm working on now! Thanks!

Thank you , I’am going to do a three inch binding the next time I finish my quilt . Beth

I don't mind binding and I'm going to try the 3" binding for the quilt I'm getting ready to finish. It sounds like a good idea! I do all my binding like you, on both sides using the machine. It's not a time factor for me because I'm retired - I just hate hand sewing. Like I've said before, if hand sewing were a required part of quilting, I'd have to find another hobby!

Thanks for the idea of using a 3" binding! Im going to try it!❤❤

Thank you! I have been doing it this way for years as I never hand sew.

I almost always machine stitch my binding. I taught myself how to quilt mostly by playing with my machine and listening to the answers when I asked questions. I didn’t even know there were “rules” until I discovered KZfaq 8-10 years ago. I make the back larger on twin sized and smaller quilts. I fold it then fold it again and iron it before sewing it down. My corners end up looking mitered. I almost always make anything larger in 3 or 4 sections and then use a quilt as you go method to connect them. There are a few different methods and whatever matches the pattern of the quilt top is the method I use. I have done a couple of jelly roll race imitations vertically instead of horizontally and used 5 inch wide strips instead of the 2.5”. I do my best to make the joined sections and the binding roughly the same size as the strips. Sometimes, I make a ruffled binding using a qayg technique I learned by purchasing instructions from Lea Louise. They are always my favorite surprisingly because I am not a girly girl. I like cutting and piecing. I like eyeballing and experimenting. I consider patterns to be guidelines and inspiration. I do not like free motion quilting. I know, gasp. I don’t like the act of doing it and I really don’t like the way it looks. I think the pattern is what makes it special. I love that you also give yourself permission to be a rebel. Great video.

lol 😂I’ve been breaking the binding law for a long time 😂 I’ve only made my binding strips at 3 inches.

I use 2.25” binding and sew it to the front using a 1/4” seam, then flip it to the back. If I finish it with the machine, I stitch in the ditch from the front so my top thread is hidden and I have the bobbin thread showing on the back. I use clips to hold the binding in place as I sew. My binding is full and I like the finished result. Remember, there are no quilt police and you can make your quilt any way you want to. It’s your quilt.

Girl I've been doing this 😂. I just thought, who made these rules 😂. Thanks for bringing this to light. I was tired of struggling with 2.5. My quilts are gorgeous and I just started not even a year ago. This makes a difference. I actually love putting the binding on.

I wish I’d seen this last week. Can’t wait to try it!

Thanks. I'm not a quilter, but I need to re-bind a quilt.

Yes! I use 3 inch for binding also. It's so much easier to roll over to the other side. I put my quilts in quilt shows and have won blue ribbons.

I have tried doing 3 inch binding and it is really easier and looks nice.