Choosing fabric for your baby quilt binding is the last and final opportunity to make your statement on your quilt.
Take a good look at the fabrics that you have chosen for your quilt. Did you make one that is so soft and cuddly that is whispers lullabies, or have you created one that has those loud sounds vibrating that requires your binding to shout back at you? Either way, choosing the binding for your baby quilt involves searching for just the right color and fabric. The best part is there is no wrong choice, so enjoy being creative and have fun.
If you have just sat for hours sewing and then hand quilting your baby quilt, you may have a baby quilt binding fabric idea in mind. Whether or not some idea has come to mind, find a place where you can spread out the entire quilt, on the floor, the bed, or even on a wall. As you position the binding fabrics, be sure that the same amount or equivalent amount of fabric for the binding width sticks out and check it out by standing back from a distance.
Think about the colors and use these as a road map for choosing the baby quilt binding. As you look from the distance, view or squint. Find the colors that seem to pop out. Choose either a particular color or group of colors and repeat them in the binding. If there is a dominate color in your baby quilt, downplay it and avoid using it in the binding. Look to see if there is a color that you might need more of, one that is seldom used in the baby quilt, if so, add this one to the baby quilt binding.
Opposites do attract, look at the patterns in your baby quilt. If your quilt has a big and bold pattern, use a small checked border print in your baby quilt border. Cutting on the bias, adds a geometric touch to fabrics with floral print. For a quilt with a small print design, use a large printed fabric with lots of color. This creates movement that is constantly changing and provides a way to put many colors into your baby quilt binding. This type of quilt binding creates an irregular line and a less precise edge of color.
Stripes and checks are perfect for baby quilt bindings. If stripes are cut on the bias, the stripe runs diagonally making the binding twirl around the baby quilt’s edge, much like the stripes on a barber pole. A straight grain stripe requires accurate cutting, folding, and sewing but if set parallel to the quilt it will appear to frame the baby quilt. A striped baby quilt binding sewn perpendicular to the quilt will create a fringelike effect. On the other hand, checks create movement. Cut carefully on the straight-grain of the fabric and follow the lines. Yet if you want your baby quilt binding to look more askew using the checks, cut off the grain.
Plaids are very effective on as a baby quilt binding. If you have a plaid on your quilt, cut the fabric on the bias. There will be no color change, but the border will gently contrast and add a nice accent to the baby quilt.
Choosing fabric for your baby quilt binding is the last decision you will make for your project, have fun.