Master the Art of Sewing Satin Blanket Binding with Beautiful Mitred Corners
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Materials Needed
- Cutting the Fabric
- Preparing the Blanket Binding
- Sewing the Binding onto the Blanket
- Creating Mitered Corners
- Attaching the Binding to the Remaining Sides
- Finishing the Binding
- Creating a Multi-Color Edge
- Conclusion
Introduction
Welcome to this satin blanket binding tutorial! In this article, I will guide you step by step on how to create beautiful and professional-looking bindings for your blankets. Whether you're making baby blankets or lovies, this tutorial will cover everything you need to know to achieve a perfect finish. Let's get started!
Materials Needed
Before we begin, let's gather all the materials you'll need for this project. Here's a list of items you'll need:
- Polyester fleece fabric
- Satin blanket binding
- Sewing machine
- Clips
- Vanishing ink pen
- Brother NV 50S sewing machine (optional)
- J foot or walking foot (optional)
- Scissors
- Pins
- Knitting needle
- Needle and thread
Cutting the Fabric
First, we'll start by cutting the fabric to the desired size. For this tutorial, we'll be cutting 13-inch square pieces, but you can adjust the measurements according to your preference. Make sure to cut away the selvage edges, but if the edge of the fabric doesn't look or handle differently, you can keep it as it'll be sewn into the binding.
Preparing the Blanket Binding
Next, we'll prepare the blanket binding. You can either purchase pre-cut blanket binding in packages or buy it off the roll. Look for binding that has a nice soft feel to it. The binding should measure about 1 3/8 of an inch wide or 36 millimeters. There is also binding with one side slightly wider, so make sure to use the wider side on the back.
To prepare the binding, open it up and iron out any creases. Then, place one edge of the binding right along the center crease and fold the other side of the binding over it, leaving a good half an inch or 12 millimeters of satin past the end. Use clips to secure the binding in place, making sure it doesn't slide away from the crease.
Sewing the Binding onto the Blanket
Now it's time to sew the binding onto the blanket. Use a vanishing ink pen to mark a line an eighth of an inch or three millimeters from the edge of the blanket. Then, take the other end of the binding and mark the width of it from that line. We'll be sewing a holding stitch along the line and across this edge to the mark. Repeat the same process on the other end.
If you're using a Brother NV 50S sewing machine, make sure to switch the J foot for the end foot so that it's easier to see. Alternatively, you can use a walking foot for bulkier fabric. Stitch across the binding edge first, and then pivot and stitch across the side. Repeat this step for the other end.
Creating Mitered Corners
To create beautiful mitered corners, remove the clips that are close to the end and open up the binding. Flip the binding over onto itself, poking out the top corner and folding it back from the stitch line. Match the bottom edges of the binding and pin them in place about two inches from the fold. Flip over to the other side, match the edges, and pin them in place as well.
Take your time to do this as satin can be slippery. This method might not be the easiest or fastest, but the results are worth it. Once the corners are pinned, mark the width of the binding on the bottom edge from the fold. Then, draw a line from that mark to the top corner. From the corner, mark an eighth of an inch or three millimeters down, leaving the top corner free.
Now, start stitching from this mark, back-tacking stitch all the way down to the edge, and back-tacking again. It's important not to stitch right on the line, but just a tiny bit to the right of it. This will create a nicer mitered corner over the bulk. Once done, check that the corner is nice and flat, and then stitch between the marks.
Attaching the Binding to the Remaining Sides
With one corner completed, it's time to attach the binding to the remaining sides of the blanket. Clip the binding onto the next side and repeat the steps for creating mitered corners on the other two corners. Take your time and ensure that each corner is properly pinned and stitched. The corners should have a nice pivot point and a flat appearance.
Finishing the Binding
Once the binding is attached to all four sides of the blanket, it's time to finish it off. Clip most of the binding in place at the bottom and fold in the half inch of binding from the start. Clip it together to secure it. Check that the sides are the same length and adjust if necessary. Then, cut off the binding half an inch or 12 millimeters from the edge.
Next, flip the blanket and sandwich the start of the binding between the end of the binding, with right sides together. Match all of the short ends and clip them to hold them in place. This will create a continuous piece without any twisting. Turn it over so that the short edges are on the right side and adjust everything to make it nice and even. Pin the binding edges together again on both sides.
Creating a Multi-Color Edge
If you want to create a multi-color edge and use up shorter pieces of binding, here's how you can do it. Clip and pin two of the sides of the blanket, and zigzag the binding edges together from the very top to the bottom edges. Remove all the clips and trim the binding ends, leaving half an inch or 12 millimeters from the blanket edge.
For the other two sides of the blanket, measure across with the binding and add half an inch or 12 millimeters on either side. Fold over, sandwich, and mark as before. Then, swing the same piece over and join it to the other end. Repeat this process for the other side and make sure to stitch from the very top of the corner to the edge of the binding. Zigzag the inner edges exactly the same way and hide the ends of the threads.
Conclusion
And there you have it! You've successfully learned how to create a satin blanket binding. With this technique, you can give your blankets a professional and polished finish. Remember, take your time, be patient, and enjoy the process. Happy sewing!
Highlights
- Learn how to create a beautiful satin blanket binding
- Step-by-step instructions for cutting the fabric
- Preparing the blanket binding
- Sewing the binding onto the blanket
- Creating mitered corners for a professional finish
- Attaching the binding to the remaining sides
- Finishing the binding with a multi-color edge
- Tips and tricks for a perfect result
- Enjoy the process and happy sewing!
FAQ
Q: Can I use a different fabric for the blanket?
A: Yes, you can use different types of fabric for your blanket. However, keep in mind that the technique described in this tutorial works best with polyester fleece fabric.
Q: How do I adjust the measurements for different blanket sizes?
A: In the tutorial, we provided measurements for a 13-inch square blanket. If you want to make a larger or smaller blanket, simply adjust the size of the fabric and binding accordingly.
Q: Can I use a different type of binding?
A: While satin blanket binding is recommended for this tutorial, you can experiment with other types of binding as well. Just make sure it has a soft feel and is wide enough to cover the edge of the fabric.
Q: How do I care for blankets with satin binding?
A: To keep your blankets with satin binding in good condition, it's best to follow the care instructions on the fabric label. In general, it's recommended to wash the blankets on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals.
Q: Can I use this technique for other sewing projects?
A: Absolutely! The technique of sewing satin binding onto fabric can be applied to various other sewing projects, such as pillowcases, baby bibs, and more. Feel free to get creative and try it out on different projects!
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