How to Make Binding

Binding is simple to do. Using bias binding on a curtain or pelmet gives it a professional finish and draws attention to the line of the drapes. Always use a contrasting fabric to that of your curtains. A striped fabric cut on the bias for binding purposes looks stunning when used on curtains panels that are plain. Binding can finish the look of your curtains and give them a professional touch.

To find the bias of your fabric, fold in one edge of your fabric diagonally, so that the diagonal edge of the fabric is running parallel to the selvedge (that is the direction of the weave) of the fabric. The folded line is your bias.

Mark out the strips according the your required width, multiplied by 2 (for back and front of binding) along the bias of the fabric. Allow an extra 1cm for seams.

To get the correct length of binding required for your curtain edge, you will probably have to join the strips of fabric together. Place two strips of fabric, right sides together, with the top raw edges matching, running parallel to each other.

With the top edges parallel together, your strips will not lay on top of each other, but splay apart in a triangle shape. Stitch a seam 5mm from the top edge of the fabric. Press open the seam. Your bias strips should now be joined together and run in one straight line with each other.

Fold in a 5mm raw edge towards the wrong side of the fabric, each side of the binding strip, and press in place.

Fold your bias binding strip in half lengthways, over the edge of your curtain, to enclose the raw edge of the curtain within the binding strip. Pin, tack and press in place.

Remove the pins, and sew a line of stitching 5mm in from the edge of the bias binding strip, securing the binding to the main curtain fabric.

Alternatively, if you do not want your stitching on the bias binding to show through the right side of final curtain, attach the bias binding by hand:

Attach first one side of the binding to the curtain fabric. Place the curtain fabric right side up. Unfold one edge of the binding strip and place right side down, following the raw edge of the curtain to be bound. Pin and tack in place, checking the edging meet.

Remove pins and machine stitch 5mm in from the raw edges of both fabrics, attaching the binding strip to the front side of the curtain fabric.

Now turn over your curtain fabric so the right side is facing down. Fold over the bias binding strip so it encases the raw edge of the curtain fabric. Press in place. Pin and tack.

Using slip stitch, attach the second edge of the bias binding strip to the back side of your fabric panel. When you turn the fabric back over to view the curtain from the right side, no stitching is visible where the bias binding joins the main fabric.

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