My go-to products for hand binding a quilt
Hand binding is a sewing technique used to close the outer raw edges of a quilt with a needle and thread, entirely by hand. It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of finishing a quilt. After all the cutting, piecing, sewing, binding, and machine quilting, this final step feels like the last human touch I get to add to the quilt. In a way, it feels like I’m adding my own signature to the piece.
I’ve made lots and lots of quilts over the years, and this is the method I’ve used to finish every single one except for two. And honestly, I much prefer hand binding to finishing the binding on my domestic sewing machine. There’s just something about those final stitches being done by hand that makes the quilt feel even more personal.
With that being said, here are the tools I’ve found to be essential for finishing your quilt binding by hand. Grab your project and let’s get to it.
My Go-to products for hand binding a quilt:
Your quilt (pictured here is my juniper quilt pattern)
A cup of your favorite drink in your favorite mug. Mine happens to be a maple latte in my beautiful travel mug by Amanda Lynn Creative (I've linked her shop at the bottom if you are interested).
Bias tape cut in length of the perimeter of your quilt + 4 inches. I like to cut my bias tape at 2 1/2 in which I have found to work quite well when hand binding.
A leather thimble or your favorite thimble. I love the leather clover thimble because it doesn’t slide off my finger and has great durability.
Organic thread gloss by my all time favorite Ponderosa Thread Gloss
Thread snips
Sharps size 8
Hand quilting thread
