Binding irregular quilt edges can be tricky, but there are several non‑traditional finishing methods that avoid binding altogether. This is one of my favorite “bindless” techniques... perfect for quilt rugs, table runners, placemats, Christmas tree skirts, and other small or medium‑sized projects. In this tutorial, I’m using my Roxy The Forest Fox Jelly Roll Rug as an example.
The idea is simple: quilt the front and back separately, then sew them together around the irregular edges. Because of this, you’ll need two pieces of batting, one for each side, each cut a few inches larger than your project.
Important: Use the same quality fabrics for the front and back to prevent uneven shrinkage after washing. Also keep the quilting density similar on both sides.
Front of the Quilt
- Lay your finished quilt top right side up on a piece of batting.
- Pin or spray baste to secure the layers.
- Quilt as desired (stitch‑in‑the‑ditch or custom quilting both work beautifully)
- Straight‑stitch around the outer edge, about ⅛″ from the edge, to stabilize the shape.
- Trim away the excess batting.
Back of the Quilt
- Lay the backing fabric right side up on your second piece of batting.
- Pin or spray baste to secure.
- Quilt as desired; this is a great opportunity to practice free‑motion or straight‑line quilting.
Assembly
- Place the quilted front and quilted back right sides together and pin around the edges.
- Sew around the entire shape with a ¼″ seam allowance, leaving a 6″–8″ opening along the longest edge for turning.
- Trim away any excess backing.
- Clip concave corners to release tension and trim bulk from convex corners (be careful not to cut into the stitching). Fiskars 5″ Easy Action Snips are excellent for tight spaces and layered cuts.
- Turn the project right side out through the opening. Use a point turner (I love the Clover Point 2 Point Turner) to gently push out corners and smooth the seams.
- Press the edges from the back side using steam.
- Topstitch around the entire project, closing the opening as you sew.
Additional Tips
If your project has very complex edges and it’s difficult to leave an opening for turning, try this variation:
- Front: Finish as described above.
- Back: Quilt as usual, then cut the backing in half and sew it back together with a ¼″ seam, leaving a 6″–8″ opening in the center.
- Assembly: Sew around the edges as usual... no need to leave an opening. After turning, close the opening on the back with an invisible ladder stitch, then topstitch around the edges.
Other Options
If you’d like to explore another bindless finishing method that uses only one piece of batting, check out my tutorial on Non-Traditional Quilt Finishing.
