I love using fleece to bind the edges of a lot of my upcycled sweater sewing projects. Like sweater slippers, hats and cozy blankets. This fleece binding technique is so easy and it makes the finished edge look so sharp and crisp.
So without further chit chat, let’s get to it.
Choosing the binding fabric
The great thing about using fleece fabric is that is DOES NOT FRAY! You can use a knit fabric as long it is doesn’t have too much cotton in it. If the knit has a lot of cotton, it will fray.
If you have a knit shirt that you don’t wear anymore, but you like the color or print, reuse for binding! I do it all the time.
You can test the fabric by cutting a strip and then pull and stretch it. If the edges fray, then it won’t work for binding. If it doesn’t fray, you are good to go.
Bulky fleece, like Polar fleece tends to be a little too bulky. Have fun mixing up colors and prints with your projects.
Cutting out fleece strips
Cut out strips of fleece (on the stretch) 2 – 2 1/2 inches by however long you need for your project.
If you don’t have a fleece piece long enough, no worries, you can join several strips together. I will show you how easy it is.
Joining strip together
Place the strips Right Sides Together (RST) and overlap the edge by 1/4
inch. Make sure the top piece is on the right side as shown above.
Stitch from point to point as indicated in photo. I just eyeball it, but if you needed to, you could mark the edge with a piece of masking tape.
Back stitch at the begging and end of the seam.
Trim the seam leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Now clip the edges.
Finger press the seam open.
Ta dah, now you have one continuous strip of binding.
This technique alleviates the bulk that you would get with a straight seam. It offsets the seams so they are not all in one place and still gives you the bias stretch. |
Fleece binding application
Sew, using a 1/4 -3/8 inch seam allowance. (Which is usually the edge of your pressure foot) Stretch as you sew.
Back stitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
If your binding is going to be on the thinner side, trim the edges.
Finger press the seam towards the binding.
Fold the binding to the width you want over the the inside.
Pin in place.
Stitch IN THE DITCH of the previous seam.
You will have extra fabric.
CAREFULLY trim the excess fabric close to the seam. Be very careful not to clip the fabric underneath. I have sadly done this.
Now wasn’t that a snap!
Look how nice and even and crisp the edges are.
Whether it is a cozy blanket or a pair of sweater slippers that you need to bind, get out your fleece and give it a whirl.
Learn how to make and bind your own mini weekly planner with these cozy sweater strips.
Any questions or suggestions, please, let’s chat.
Jan Howell
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Jan Howell
Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.
