How to Hand Bind a Quilt - Tutorial

Welcome back to the final installment of my Quilting Binding Series! Over the past few posts, we’ve explored how to make the quilt binding, how to attach quilt binding to your quilt, and how to machine-finish quilt binding. Today, we’re going to dive into a technique that many quilters cherish for its timeless appeal—hand binding. This method is perfect for those who want to add a personal touch to their quilts with some intricate stitching or who simply enjoy the meditative process of hand stitching.

Neatly hand-bound quilt with pink and lavender binding, demonstrating the clean finish achieved by hand stitching, as discussed in the blog post about hand binding a quilt.

Why Hand Bind a Quilt?

Hand binding offers a few distinct advantages that can elevate the finish of your quilt. One of the main benefits is the beautiful, seamless look it provides on the front of your quilt. By attaching the binding to the front and folding it over to the back, you create a crisp, clean edge that machine stitching can’t quite replicate. Additionally, hand binding allows for more control, which is especially helpful when working on corners and edges, ensuring that every part of your quilt looks as polished as possible. It’s a wonderful way to add that final, loving touch to a quilt that will be cherished for years to come.

So now that you know the benefits, let’s go through the steps to hand bind a quilt together!

Hand Binding A Quilt

Step 1: Attach Your Binding

Quilt in progress with lavender binding partially attached, showcasing the initial steps of hand binding, as outlined in the blog post about finishing a quilt's binding by hand.

The first step is to make your binding and then attach it to the quilt. Most of the time, if you finish the binding by hand sewing, you will attach it to the front and fold it to the back. This provides the cleanest finish on the front of the quilt, which is the best thing about hand binding, so for the purposes of this tutorial, I'll assume we're attaching the binding to the front.

Step 2: Fold Binding Over

Close-up of a hand folding lavender quilt binding over the edge, illustrating the preparation for hand stitching the binding in place, as described in the blog post on hand binding a quilt.

After attaching the binding to the front of the quilt, gently fold it over to the back. Make sure the binding is snug against the edge of the quilt top. To get the sharpest results, you can iron your binding on the front of the quilt.

Step 3: Secure Binding

Lavender quilt binding secured with clips, along with small scissors and a thimble, ready for hand stitching as described in the blog post on finishing quilt binding by hand.

Next, secure the binding to the back of the quilt. Pins or binding clips, such as Wonder Clips, can hold it in place. This will help the binding stay in place as you stitch. I like to use clips, but only a handful, 3 or 4, and move them as I go. I don't like clipping the whole binding down because that just seems like a lot of work, but having 3 or 4 really helps so my hands don't get so tired.

Step 4: Thread Needle

Hand holding a spool of white Gütermann quilting thread, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right thread for hand binding a quilt, as discussed in the blog post about hand binding techniques.

As mentioned above, choose a thread color matching the binding or the backing fabric. Thread a hand-sewing needle with a single strand of thread about 18" long and knot the end. I use a quilter's knot, but you can do whatever knot works best for you!

Step 5: Stitch It Down

Close-up of a needle and thread beginning the hand stitching process on lavender quilt binding, secured with a yellow clip, demonstrating the whip stitch technique as described in the blog post on hand binding a quilt.

You can use several hand stitches to attach the binding to the back of the quilt. Two common options are the ladder stitch and the whip stitch. I like to use a whip stitch to get the cleanest look.

Start Stitching: Begin stitching the binding to the back of the quilt. Insert the needle into the fold of the binding near the corner where you finished sewing the binding on the front of the quilt.

Close-up of a hand carefully guiding a needle through lavender quilt binding, illustrating the precision of the whip stitch technique as described in the blog post on finishing a quilt's binding by hand.

To whip stitch your binding down, first tuck the thread's knot underneath the binding. Then, grab some of the quilt's backing, push the needle through the fold on the binding, and stitch down into the quilt, making sure not to sew all the way to the front side of the quilt—you want to grab some of the backing and maybe some batting. Bring the needle back up and push it through the fold on the binding, grab onto the backing, and repeat.

Partially hand-stitched lavender quilt binding with clips securing the edges, showing progress on the whip stitch technique, as discussed in the blog post on hand binding a quilt.

Continue stitching along the entire length of the binding until you run out of thread (see step 7 for how to knot your thread) or until you reach a corner. Take care to keep your stitches small and consistent for a clean finish.

Step 6: Mitered Corners

Three-step collage showing hands folding and securing lavender quilt binding into a mitered corner with clips, demonstrating the process of achieving crisp corners in hand binding, as explained in the blog post on hand stitching quilt binding.

When you reach a corner, fold the binding neatly to create a mitered corner on the back of the quilt. I like to push my thumb into the corner to get a crisp fold and then place a clip to hold it together.

Four-step collage showing the process of hand stitching a mitered corner on a quilt with lavender binding, demonstrating the steps to secure the corner with neat and invisible stitches, as detailed in the blog post on hand binding a quilt.

Grab the very corner of your folded binding and stitch it down. Next, insert your needle into the binding about halfway up on the mitered fold and make an invisible stitch here to secure the corner and ensure it lays flat. Continue stitching around the quilt, repeating these steps on each corner.

Step 7: Final Knot

As you reach the point where you started stitching, continue for about an inch to overlap the ends of your stitching and provide added security to your binding.

Close-up of a needle and thread securing the final stitches on a lavender quilt binding, highlighting the clean and meticulous finish achieved through hand stitching, as described in the blog post on hand binding a quilt.

To finish your stitching, make a small knot on the back of the quilt. Insert the needle through the backing fabric, then bring it up a short distance away and pass it through the loop to create a knot. Repeat once or twice to fully secure it, and then trim any excess thread.

Finished quilt with lavender binding, showcasing neatly mitered corners and a smooth, hand-stitched finish, as described in the blog post on hand binding a quilt.

By hand stitching the binding to the back of the quilt, you’ll create a clean and professional finish that adds to the overall beauty of your quilt.

Conclusion

Quilted piece with the word "MRS" in bold red letters, finished with lavender binding and neatly mitered corners, illustrating the final result of hand binding a quilt as described in the blog post.

And there you have it! Hand binding may take a bit more time, but the results are truly worth it. The crisp edges, clean finish, and the love you stitch into each inch make this technique a favorite for so many quilters. Whether you're working on a quilt for yourself or creating a gift for someone special, hand binding is a wonderful way to complete your project.

Quilt Binding Series

If you’re new here or just finding this post first, be sure to check out the earlier posts in this series to get the full picture:

Quilt Binding - Part 1: Making the quilt binding
Quilt Binding - Part 2: Attaching the binding to the quilt
Quilt Binding - Part 3: Finish the binding by machine
Quilt Binding - Part 4: Finish the binding by hand

I hope this series has inspired you to try something new and that you’ve found the perfect method for your quilt's binding.

Happy quilting!

2 comments on How to Hand Bind a Quilt - Tutorial

Marty — August 24, 2024

I learned to quilt in 1987 (!) and this is how I learned to bind quilts. This is my preferred method, in addition to big stitching the binding down with a fun contrasting thread. Nowadays so many machine stitch both steps, though I understand for well used quilts some prefer this method, but I prefer the old fashioned way! Great tutorial Fran. The corners can be a challenge, esp when the seams of the binding fall right into that corner!
Marty — August 24, 2024

I learned to quilt in 1987 (!) and this is how I learned to bind quilts. This is my preferred method, in addition to big stitching the binding down with a fun contrasting thread. Nowadays so many machine stitch both steps, though I understand for well used quilts some prefer this method, but I prefer the old fashioned way! Great tutorial Fran. The corners can be a challenge, esp when the seams of the binding fall right into that corner!