In most cases when making a quilt, the maker finishes the raw edges by sewing on a binding. Generally, this is a 2-1/2" strip of fabric, folded in half, then stitched around the outside edges of the quilt by sewing machine, wrapped around to the back of the quilt and hand stitched in place. The binding is either done in the same fabric as the border of the quilt, or a contrasting fabric is used.

Sometimes though, this "plain" edge isn't enough. One solution is to insert a contrasting fabric piping between the quilt border and the binding. An easier solution is to make Two-Tone Binding!

Step 1: Determine the Colors to Use

To make Two-Tone Binding, choose the two colors for your binding. Take a look at the photo above. The top edge of the picture is the binding of the quilt. You will notice that in the body of the quilt, there are multiple 1/4" red strips "floating" in a field of black. I wanted to replicate that look on the binding.

The color that appears closest to the final border of the quilt will be Color 1 for our instructions - that's the narrow red strip, and the outside binding will be Color 2 - that's the black edge.

Step 2: Measure and Cut

Measure your quilt just as you would for regular binding to determine the length of binding you need to make.

Cut the number strips of each color to make your binding length.

Note: These instructions are for 2-1/2" wide binding.

The Color 1 Strips should be 1-5/8" wide.

The Color 2 Strips should be 1-3/8" wide.

Step 3: Join the Strips

Starting with Color 1, sew all the strips together into one long strip, just as you would for regular binding. Press the seams open to reduce bulk.

For Color 2, sew all the strips together into one long strip. Press seams open.

Step 4: Sew Two-Tone Togehter

Sew the two color strips together with a 1/4” seam allowance.

Press your seam toward the narrower strip (Color 2).

Press the binding in half, matching the raw edges exactly. Note from the picture that just a tiny bit of Color 1 shows on one side of the binding.

Step 5: Attach Two-Tone Binding to Your Quilt

The back of the binding will look like it’s made of Color 1 only. Normally, binding is sewn to the front of the quilt, but Two-Tone Binding is sewn to the back of the quilt, with the Color 1 side facing up, and the two-tone side is against the quilt. Check out the notes on the photo above.

Step 6: Finish the Quilt

After sewing in place, roll the binding to binding to the front of the quilt and hand tack in place using a thread color that matches Color 1. Don’t forget to stitch down your mitered corners!