Binding a Quilt Using The Classic Rollover

By Becky Jorgensen

This article covers how to bind a quilt using the classic rollover. I know, you might think that this is a cop-out, but really it is truly a bind and looks like a bind -- on the front. (hee hee)

If anyone is stuck on bindings out there- this is for you! This is really a pretty quick way of doing it and great for beginners.

1) Before quilting, you need to make sure that your back is LARGER than your front!! This is the only way that this type of binding will work. You should always have extra on the sides when quilting anyways, but just in case, check.

2) After quilting, you need to trim those edges. The TOP of the quilt and the batting need to be trimmed to the edge of the top of the quilt. Scissors are the best here. You need to especially make sure that the back does not sneak into that scissor line and get snipped. (I really hate it when that happens.) You want to be cutting ONLY the TOP and the BATTING here. NOT THE BACK!!!

3) Trim the back. Now you can use a super long ruler with your rotary cutter and trim the back. Take your ruler and measure 3/4 inch past the top and be consistent on this! It helps the front look nice. Do this on all four edges.

4) Now we make the binding. Take that 3/4 inch extra back and fold it. Line the raw edge right up to the edge of the top and batting edge.

5) Fold once more. It will fold onto the top of the quilt and be 1/4 inch past the edge.

6) Pin, hold or clip into place. Now, here is where I cheat. I have been doing the binding for too many years to mention, so I can just whip it over to the machine and get that thing done in no time. No pinning or clipping for me. I know how to keep it in place and make it behave. You may notice this is very similar to rolling the edge over on a blanket and making it a nice edge.

7) Sew that edge down. Take it to the sewing machine and sew right along that edge. You don't want to be so close you are constantly jumping off and missing it, but not so far in it looks like a rookie was doing it. Hey, rookies become pros, so don't give up.

As an alternative, you could hand sew that down if you would like. After you fold, fold and pin or clip in place; sit and stitch it down.

A little note on corners: Corners can be tricky. This is the way I do them and I get a nice mitered corner on the top.

Stop sewing at least 1 inch before the end of the side you are stitching down. This will give you enough room to fold over the next side and make that corner look nice.

Fold that next side CORNER in a triangle.

Fold the edge until it meets the edge of the top and batting edge, just like above. Then fold it again so it overlaps the top 1/4 inch.

Continue sewing along that edge to finish the binding and then —keeping your needle in the down position AND on top of the next side that you just folded nicely— turn the corner to the next side.

Finish sewing and folding and mitering the binding until you have done all 4 sides. Isn't that quick and wonderful?

Anyone have any questions or suggestions or hints that you would like to share? Does anyone oppose doing it this way? Leave a comment and let us know.