Please note: this is not a comprehensive tutorial for creating and adding binding to a quilt. There are many wonderful online tutorials that cover all details for making binding (my favorite is here.) These are simply the steps I use to add binding specifically to my Christmas Tree Skirt.
1) Create your binding. For this project, bias binding is recommended, but a straight-grain binding will work fine.
2) Begin attaching binding, starting on one of the outside edges of the tree skirt. When you come near the first point on the skirt, stop sewing 1/4" before you get to the seam line. Back stitch and remove tree skirt from machine.
3) Fold binding strip back so that it is in line with the raw edge of the next section you will be sewing. The fold on the binding strip should align with the seam on the skirt:
4) Fold the binding strip back on itself, lining up the raw edge of the skirt with the raw edge of the binding strip:
5) Starting at the edge of the fold, back stitch a bit and then begin stitching the next section of binding.
Repeat steps 2 through 5 for each of the outside points of the tree skirt.
6) When you get to one of the points at the tree skirt opening, stop sewing 1/4" from the point. Fold binding strip back so that it is in line with the raw edge of the next section you will be sewing.
7) Fold the binding strip back on itself, lining up the raw edge of the skirt with the raw edge of the binding strip:
8) Starting at the edge of the fold and back stitching a bit, begin stitching the next section of binding.
9) The center opening of the tree skirt is the trickiest part because of the concave angles and the small space in which to work. When you get to a point, stop sewing right at the point. Leave the needle down and raise the presser foot. This will help with the pivot. Rotate tree skirt so that your next part is lined up:
10) Leaving the needle down and the presser foot up, pull the binding strip around so that it lines up with the raw edge of the next section of tree skirt. The binding behind the presser foot may bunch up a little, but don't worry about that. Just make sure that the binding ahead of you lies flat and is lined up with the raw edge of the skirt:
11) Lower presser foot and begin sewing next section. Repeat at each concave point in the tree skirt center opening.
12) When you get back to your starting point, join ends of the binding. Now that your binding is attached to the front of the tree skirt, I recommend that you hand stitch it to the back. Machine stitching it is possible, but might prove to be challenging around some of those concave points in the center opening.
Have questions? Leave a comment or shoot me an email! The pattern for the Christmas Tree Skirt is available in my pattern shop and my etsy shop (both are pdf versions).
Now I don't know if this is the 2nd comment or the first. I love your finished tree skirt. I have made about 4 dozen of them for craft show and wedding gifts. I have been sewing for 52 years at least. I did find your directions a bit needy. I never did a binding before so the width would have been nice. Your directions for cutting out the panels took both my husband and I awhile to figure out. I don't like having to ask him for help but I had no choice. I will use this pattern again. Thank you
ReplyDeletea 2 1/2 " width is good
DeleteI had my husband help me as well to cut the trapezoidal. He held down the yard stick while I cut the pieces.
DeleteI just purchased your pattern. Thank you for publishing. Would you happen to have a general idea of the length of bias tape needed?
ReplyDeleteI measured my skirt and it looks like it would need about 6 1/3 yards
Deletebeginner question - I only know bias tape use as inserting the edge into the fold then sewing... for this I would sew the edge to the top of the skirt then fold over and hand sew to the back? Probably my poor quilting knowledge.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly - What I'm using here is a bias binding and not traditional bias tape. You could use bias tape for this project but I would recommend using double fold bias tape. This youtube video shows an example of how you could use double fold bias tape to bind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPakMj6XPUY
DeleteI found it easier to make a paper pattern to cut out the panels. That way I only had to measure once.
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ReplyDeleteJust finished! & I Love it. I personally found the instructions very clear, I learnt how to cut a 60 deg angle using my ruler and mat and the whole process went smoothly. I've made a paper template for my next one, but woukd encourage everybody to follow the pattern and learn how to cut your angles correctly. Very nice, easy to follow and first of many makes for me. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas 💕
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm not sure if you're still checking this post, but I was wondering if you could explain how to handle the ribbons... Or do you have pictures of what it looks like finished? I'm not sure what the pattern means by "be sure to catch just the ends of the ties." Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm not using this pattern but doing a skirt very similar to this, and I'm just planning on attaching the ties to the back after the binding is on. I'll sew them to just the backing.
DeleteI'm not using this pattern but doing a skirt very similar to this, and I'm just planning on attaching the ties to the back after the binding is on. I'll sew them to just the backing.
DeleteHello, I am attaching binding and whilst I understand how to the the outer points/corners I'm not sure how to place/fold and sew the binding at the V between the points, any help would be appreciated. Thanks
ReplyDelete