{"id":39,"date":"2025-03-23T01:35:42","date_gmt":"2025-03-23T01:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/curiousquilter.com.au\/blog\/?p=39"},"modified":"2025-11-01T04:46:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T04:46:27","slug":"quilt-experiment-finishing-a-quilt-with-a-facing-instead-of-a-binding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/curiousquilter.com.au\/blog\/index.php\/2025\/03\/23\/quilt-experiment-finishing-a-quilt-with-a-facing-instead-of-a-binding\/","title":{"rendered":"Quilt Experiment: Finishing a Quilt with a Facing Instead of a Binding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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I have always finished my quilts with a traditional binding, a technique I learned decades ago and have used ever since. I like the look of the neat, framed edges, the final step, the finish line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But recently I finished a quilt and hesitated, for this quilt I knew I wanted the whole quilt top to go right to the edge. A traditional binding would create a visible border, not the look I wanted, So, I decided to explore new quilt finishing techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After doing some research I came across facings<\/em>. I was already familiar with the concept of facings in garment making but hadn\u2019t considered it for quilts. In the coming weeks I\u2019ll be sharing some of the methods I found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I wasn\u2019t convinced a facing would hold up as well as a binding or look as clean as I hoped. But curiosity <\/strong>won out, and I set aside my usual binding technique in favour of this new approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image left shows a quilt finished with a traditional binding (left) and a quilt finished with a facing (right).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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I found that the process of attaching the facing wasn\u2019t difficult, but it was different and not without challenges. The facing made the edges thicker than I expected and I found it difficult to keep the wide facing strips flat on the back as I was stitching it down, even though I used clips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I enjoyed taking the time to hand stitch the facing strips to the back as I find hand stitching very relaxing.  It was as I was stitching the facing to the back that I started to see the magic of this quilt finishing technique. No framed border, just the quilt itself, floating like a piece of artwork. I think it would be difficult to sew the facing to the back by machine, unless you can incorporate those stitches into your quilting design. Perhaps something to try next time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was pleased with how clean the quilt finished without the interruption of a binding. The double fold facing made the edges of the quilt thick and I\u2019m undecided on how I feel about that. I don\u2019t know how well the facing will hold up in comparison to a traditional binding, only time will tell, but I\u2019m guessing those thicker edges will wear well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would I use a facing again to finish the edge of a quilt? Yes, when I want my quilt design to go right to the edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you tried this method before? If so, leave a comment, I\u2019d love to hear about your experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until next time, Happy quilting!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n