Single Fold Bindings

I don't claim to be an expert in this quilting art, but if it's one thing that really bugs me lately, it's fat, sloppy bindings. I noticed them on different things from the doll swap this time, but lately, while looking through the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap they were really apparent. You find these big fat double bindings on these cute, tiny little mug rugs that are only 5 x 7 inches or so to start with. And tell me why in the world do you need all that fabric to bind something so tiny that probably will hardly get handled at all?

Let me show you my method. First of all, I cut my strips 1 1/4 inches and attach them with a walking foot at the 1/4 inch mark, right side to right side, just like if you were going to do a double binding. See below:

Note, that I left a tail, just like you'd do on a normal big quilt, but the binding fabric is only single. I sew it on and turn corners just like you would a regular binding.

And you'll have to excuse the pictures here cause this next one should go after the one after it....I'm such a dunce on this thing, it's a wonder sometimes that I get anything loaded. Anyway, skip this next picture and go to the one following........do it now, please.......

Yup, right here!!!!!! When, I'm done attaching the binding, just like I would a double binding, instead of turning it over, I iron the binding away from the top of the quilt and try to get a crisp edge so that when I turn the whole mess over................now go back to the picture above.......see, it's flipped over there.........it almost sticks up by itself.

Oppps, I guess it's here too.......don't tell me I loaded the dumb thing twice???? E-gads! Anyway, here it is upside down. You're looking on the backside. And it's a real shame I don't have 3 hands here because I couldn't hold the camera and do the fold over at the same time, but that's what you do. You almost fold that fabric in half and sew it down. See the next pic.....

See...here I have it pinned. I know, I could use clips, but I always have pins handy so pins it is.
See how skinny and tight it looks? Well, that's because it is! When you're all done sewing it down in the back, I iron both sides and get it looking perfect. I wish I could have shown you the finished binding on the front of this, but the dumb computer would only let me load 5 pictures from my computer. Besides, my swap partner hasn't even seen this placemat yet, so I'd hate to spoil the surprise. I will post a different quiltie though so you can see what I mean about skinny, flat binding on these cute little wall hangings, mug rugs, or doll quilts.

Try it, and you'll never go back to double, fat, bindings except on your bigger quilts. I guarantee it!!! Besides, this will save you fabric too. :D