How To Face A Quilt Binding ~ Tutorial

Here is my tutorial for how I faced the binding on my

My Dream Big Quilt

The hanging tube for this quilt was  also constructed with the facing strips

that bind the quilt.

I started by squaring and trimming my quilt with the edges even.

There is no need to leave any extra batting or backing fabric when facing a quilt. 

Then I cut by my facing strips: 

Two 3.5" wide strips (sides)

and

Two 5.5 " wide strips (top and bottom) 

Length was determined by the length of the sides of my quilt plus 3"

I used the extra 108" backing fabric strips,

but any color may be used as it will not be seen on the front of the quilt.

I decided to make a hanging tube top and bottom of my quilt.

If I only wanted a hanging tube at the top I would have cut only one 5" strip 

I sewed a 1/4" seam attaching the 3.5" facing strips to either side of my quilt.

Right Sides Together

I used wonder clips to secure the pieces in every step and removed as I sewed.

Then I pressed the facing strips over the edge of the quilt
pressing toward the outside.

Then I "stay stitched" the seam by stitching a line 1/8" away from the pressed fold.

This stitching line is very important to the turning process.

You can see the 1/4 seam allowance under the presser foot if you look closely. 

This stay stitch line secures the edge.

It will not be visible on the front on the quilt as it will be turned to the back.

Then I pressed a 1/2" hem on the raw outside edge, carefully turned, pressed and clipped the facing strip as I went along.

Then I hand stitched the facing strip to the back of the quilt.

You can see the 1/4" of the quilt front turned to the back of the quilt.

Here is my first side faced.

You cannot see any binding fabric or stitches on the front of the quilt.

The outside edges of the side can be cut even with the edge and do not need to be stitched 

as this edge will be closed when attaching the top and bottom facing. 

Clip strips to the top and bottom of the quilt,

right sides together

allowing 1 1.5" overhang on either side.

This will turned under after the next step.

Sew strips to top and bottom of the quilt

leaving the overhang open.

Press the facing strip away from the front on the quilt,
pressing toward the outside edge.

Stay stitch the top and bottom 1/8" from the pressed edge
securing the strip to the seam allowance on the back.

Press a  1/4" hem and then press the overhang inward to finish the raw edges.

Machine stitch securing the overhang to the facing seam.

 Machine sew hem on tube to secure.

Secure all overhang edges in the manner.

Machine sew a 1/4" hem on the outer edge of the facing tube strip.

Turn the facing to the back.
This also turns 1/4" of the front of the quilt to the back.
Use Wonder Clips to secure.

Ready to hand stitch the facing and hanging tube to the back.

Leaving the ends of the tube open ... 

Hand stitch the hanging tube facing to the back of the quilt.

 Katniss was my quilty kitty supervisor for this process.

My finished facing.

My new wall quilt!
I really like this facing alternative to the traditional binding
as it does not add an additional design element to the quilt.

I hope you find this quilt facing tutorial useful.

If you have an questions, please contact me.
My email address may be found in my header under
"Contact Me".

Happy quilting!