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This is a handy way to bind quilts or anything where you are trimming with eyelet lace or any sort of decoration.

Step 1.  You will be sewing the eyelet lace onto the back of the quilt.  IMPORTANT: The eyelet lace needs to be right side up!  Don’t dismiss that.  Line up the edge of the gathered eyelet lace with the raw edge of the quilt.  Stitch down the eyelet lace just along the gathered section.

Stitched at the gathered section of the eyelet lace, right side up, along the back edge of the quilt.

When are you stitching around the corner, cut a little slit at the gather section (NOT INTO THE LACE) to give the lace some give as you stretch it around the corner.

Tiny slit into the gathered section of the eyelet lace to make it around the corner.

Once you have made it around the quilt you’ll need to connect the lace.  This process will require you to leave at least 3″ of eyelet lace unstitched on either side or it will be impossible to work.  Simply stitch the two ends together at a section where you can line up the ωωω and stitch to the center of the ω for a seamless effect.  Trim off the additional eyelet lace and leave 1/4″ and iron the seam closed to either side.  Then continue to stitch the remaining eyelet lace into place.

Line up the ωωω and stitch to the center of the ω for a seamless effect.

Step 2.  Determine the width you would like your binding to appear on the front of the quilt and double that width, then add 1/2″ that will be sewn in and hid.  For the quilt I am sharing, my finished width is 1/2″.  That means I needed to cut 1 1/2″ of binding strips.

1 1/2" binding strips

To connect your strips check out the picture below for the best way to see the technique.  Stitch from corner to corner, then trim the excess and leave 1/4″ that you’ll iron closed and press to the side.  DO NOT CONNECT ALL STRIPS.  You only need enough to sew along each side, not attaching the corners.  In other words, you’ll need four strips total in the length of each side of your quilt with a few inches to spare on all sides.

Connecting binding strips.

Step 3.  Fold your binding strips in half horizontally and iron them.

Step 4.  Place the raw edge of the binding strips along the raw edge of the quilt and gathered eyelet lace.  You are still working on the backside of the quilt.  You will stitch down the binding 1/4″ in from corner to corner leaving 3″ unstitched on either end.  You’ll need to connect the corners and need some wiggle room.  While you are sewing the binding down it is a very good idea to make sure the eyelet lace is not bunched and laying crooked.  I gently tug at it as I make my way along the edge of the quilt.

Stitch the raw edge of the binding 1/4" in, on the top of the eyelet lace.

Step 5.  You have made it to the corners…horray!  This part is a bit tricky, but you can do it!  Trim off the excess binding.  Mark the corners where they meet with an erasable fabric pen.

Mark the corners where they meet with an erasable fabric pen.

You’ll use the marked corners to match up the binding.  Then you will stitch from the marker to the corner of the binding.

Pinned corners.

Before you trim the excess fabric off, make sure the corner fits perfectly.  If it doesn’t, rip out the thread and try again.  Once you have it perfect, cut off the excess fabric leaving 1 /4″, but this time you will iron the seam OPEN.  Then simply stitch 1/4″ around the corner.  It is helpful to sew with the needle down so it is simple to rotate once you reach the corners.  Repeat 3 more times and finish all corners.

Iron the corner seam OPEN!

Step 6.  Pat yourself on the back.  You are on the home stretch and this part is easy!  Flip the quilt over.  You’ll now be working on the front.  Fold the binding over to the front leaving the eyelet lace to your right.  Make sure it isn’t tucked under your quilt.  You will now stitch along the very edge of the binding, hiding the raw edge of the quilt, gathered eyelet lace, and raw binding.

Stitch along the very edge of the binding.

If you sew with your needle down, making the corners will be a breeze.  Depending on the thickness of the material you are working with, you may need to trim out any bulk in your corners.  Feel free to do so, but don’t get to close to your thread stitches.  Keep going along the entire circumference of your quilt.

YOU’RE DONE!  Phew, hope you love it!  This is a fun way to add decoration to a quilt or any project you may be working on.

Eyelet Lace Binding

♥ R

NOTE:  If you are fuzzy on any part of my directions please feel free to contact me.  I’m here to help!

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