Why are my binding corners sometimes too tight?

[Sheilago]

I really thought I knew how to do mitred binding corners, using the method I saw online years ago. I sew to about an inch from the corner, then fold the binding up at 45 degrees to the corner, then fold it down along the next side and begin stitching from the top. Usually this works, but sometimes I get corners where there doesn’t seem to be enough fabric to get nice square corners and they’re a little rounded. I can’t work out why.

Has anyone got any idea? My latest quilt has broader than usual binding . I cut 3” strips for the double layer binding , so it’s about 3/4” wide  each side , instead of the usual 1/2”. Would the width of the binding affect this?  :thinking:
I didn’t think it would if I folded at 45 degrees to the corner, but the corners are all a bit tight. They’ll have to do: I’m not unpicking all the binding , but I’d like to know for the future.

[twopence]

When I sew the mitred corners I stop stitching 1/4inch away from the corner (if I am sewing a 1/4inch away from the edge) lift the needle, fold the binding up at 45 degrees and down then put the needle back down and carry on stitching.  That is the same as you are doing but I am going nearer to the corner before lifting and turning the binding and there always seems to be enough binding fabric to have square corners.

[charley]

@Sheilago I trim the corners a tiny bit if it looks a bit tight. I usually use 2 1/4" binding, but occasionally 2 1/2" too.

[Ploshkin]

I too stitch to 1/4"  from the corner ( if doing a 1/4" seam).  Perhaps the corner is getting squished out a bit sometimes so there's a smidge more fabric and wadding in there.  A trim, like Charley says, should solve that.
I'm currently leaning on a quilt on the back of my sofa that has quite rounded corners.

[Efemera]

I stitch to within 1/4” take the needle out fold at 45% and then stitch from the top down the next side.

[Sheilago]

Thank you for the suggestions. I’ve gone back and sewn the binding closer to the corners and trimmed more of the bulk away, which seems to have helped a bit. I think I need to experiment with how I fold the binding fabric as I go round the corner.

[Sheilago]

I had a bit of spare time, so just watched this video on binding. It shows an interesting little technique of sewing into the corner at 45 degrees before turning. It also shows a great way of joining the binding at the end, so you can’t see where you started and ended.I’ll definitely try that next time.
Hope this is the correct way to add a link!

https://youtu.be/0vCWpxBRs20

[Iminei]

@Sheilago ... the link goes to a tutorial for knitting ?!!

[Sheilago]

Fixed it @Iminei  . For some reason my you tube always defaults to an old crochet tut I used years ago 

[Flobear]

Thanks for the link @Sheilago .
I do what charley and Ploshkin do and trim a smidge off the corner of the sandwich and put it out for the birds to reduce congestion.
I also sew up to the quarter inch away from the turn then reverse a couple of stitches (can't stop being a lightsider deep down  ) and cut the thread. I then carefully fold the binding how I want it to go, add a smidgette for ease (another lightside moment) and restart stitching from a quarter inch in from the end. Sounds a lot of faff but it only has to be done 4 times so it's no big deal.

[charley]

@Sheilago yes, I sew up to 1/4" from edge, then sew into the corner at 45 deg, cut thread, then fold fabric up, and then down, and start stitching again. I trim the corners a little as I stated before. I think I know what you mean by joining the end bits too, I have finally got that bit to stay in my head.

[Ploshkin]

I also do the stitch off the corner at 45° bit.

[rubywishes]

I was always taught that you stop from the corner at the same distance as your "seam" allowance. So if you are sewing your binding on using a 1/4" foot/distance from the edge of your quilt then you stop  1/4" from the corner. If you are sewing with a 1/2" allowance, then you stop 1/2" from the corner.

[Iminei]

That is exactly correct @rubywishes  ...

and when I sew my extra wide bindings with a 5/8ths foot (ie a normally positioned needle) I stop the same distance from the edge, pivot and sew a 45 degree angle off the quilt and back again before cutting my threads, folding the mitre and starting again.

[Lowena]

That's what I do too