Flange Binding with the AcuFeed™ Ditch Quilting Foot
Hi, friends! Sandy here from Thai Charm.
Flange binding is one of my favorite ways to add a little extra detail to a quilt without adding much extra work. That tiny pop of fabric along the edge almost looks like piping, and it gives you one more opportunity to play with color.
For this tutorial, I’m using my Fall Mini Blocks pattern with the BOO Extension to make a little Halloween project. This size works beautifully as a mini quilt, table topper, or even a placemat. For the finishing touch, I’ll show you how to make flange binding and finish it completely by machine using my Janome Continental M8 and the AcuFeed™ Ditch Quilting Foot.
What you’ll need
– Finished and quilted Boo/Fall mini quilt: finished size 12″ x 19″. (Get the pattern HERE)
– 1/8 yard of main binding fabric (black): cut (2) 1 1/4″ x WOF strips
– 1/8 yard of flange binding fabric (pink): cut (2) 1 1/2″ x WOF strips
– Coordinating cotton thread
– Rotary Cutter
– Quilting ruler
– AcuFeed™ Ditch Quilting Foot
Join the Binding Strips
Join the 1 1/2″ binding strips end to end with diagonal seams to create one continuous strip. Repeat with the 1 1/4″ flange strips. Trim the seam allowances to 1/4″ and press open.
Place the binding strip and flange strip right sides together, aligning one long raw edge. Sew along the aligned edge and press the seam toward one side.
Fold the joined strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, matching the long raw edges. Press well. Since the two strips are different widths, a narrow strip of the flange fabric will peek out along the folded edge.
That little peek of color is what creates the flange!
Attach the Binding
Once you have your Fall Mini Blocks and BOO Extension quilt top finished, layer it with batting and backing, baste, and quilt as desired. Trim and square up your quilt, and now we’re ready to add the flange binding.
With the main binding side facing the back of the quilt, align the raw edges of the binding with the raw edge of the quilt. Attach the binding to the back of the quilt just as you would with traditional quilt binding, mitering the corners as you go. Once you reach the starting point, join the binding ends using your preferred method and finish attaching the binding.
Install the AcuFeed™ Ditch Quilting Foot
Now it’s time to switch to the AcuFeed™ Ditch Quilting Foot.
One thing I love about using the Ditch Quilting Foot for flange binding is the center guide. It sits right in the seam between the flange and binding, helping me keep my stitching right where I want it. Paired with the AcuFeed™ system, it also helps feed all those layers evenly as I sew.
To install the foot, gently slide the current AcuFeed™ foot off the holder. Then, align the Ditch Quilting Foot with the holder and slide it into place until it is securely attached.
Attach the AcuFeed™ holder to the presser bar and tighten the thumbscrew to secure it to the machine. Now we’re ready to stitch in the ditch!
Finish the Binding
Fold the binding over the edge of the quilt and toward the front, then press it in place. You’ll see the little flange peek out between the quilt top and the main binding. Miter the corners and secure the binding with clips as needed.
Position the center guide of the Ditch Quilting Foot right in the seam between the flange and the main binding.
Slowly stitch around the quilt, letting the guide follow the seam as you go. This secures the binding while keeping your stitching neatly tucked right along the flange. When you reach a corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, pivot the quilt, and continue along the next side. Continue stitching all the way around the quilt to finish your flange binding.
And that’s it! Your flange binding is finished.
I love how that little peek of contrasting fabric adds an extra pop of color and frames the BOO mini so nicely. It’s such a simple detail, but it can add a fun finishing touch to mini quilts, placemats, table toppers, or even a full-size quilt.
