Monday, June 17, 2019

Quilt Facing - A tutorial


At my first QuiltCon in 2017, I discovered quilts that were finished with facing instead of binding.  I really loved the finish look it gave to smaller quilts. 

There are several good tutorials out in blog land that I learned from - this is how I do it.  (I'm writing this down for my benefit as much as yours!)

Let's get started!


  • Measure the dimensions of your quilt.
  • Cut 2 strips 3'' x height measurement.  Press in half, wrong sides together
  • Cut 2 strips 3'' x width measurement.  Press in half, wrong sides together

It doesn't matter if you attach the strips to the top and bottom first or to the sides.  In my example, I am starting with the sides.

Pin a side strip on the right side of the quilt (just as you would a binding) aligning it to the top and bottom edge.  The raw edge of the facing strip is aligned with the raw edge of the quilt.

With a 1/4'' seam, attach all 3 edges.


Fold to the side and press as much of the facing strip as you can - the part sewn to the top and bottom will be a bit restrictive.

Top stitch on the facing strip as close to the edge as you can securing the raw edge of the quilt to the facing strip.  This helps to get a crisp edge.   Again, the top and bottom edge will make it hard but just catch as much of the side as you can.

Repeat for the other side facing strip.


Pin bottom facing strip to quilt.  Once it is aligned, TRIM off about 1/2'' from each end.  This helps to reduce bulk.

As you did with the side facing strips, flip over, press and then top-stitch as close to the edge as possible.  This will be easier to do than the side facing strips.

Repeat steps to attach facing strip to top of quilt.


Flip over the facing strip on the top of the quilt and finger press to get a nice edge.  Secure with binding clips.

The photo on the left below shows the quilt on the back, the one of the right is the front view of this same step. 

Secure facing strip to the back of the quilt in the same manner you would secure a binding strip.  Repeat for the facing strip on the bottom of the quilt.


Carefully clip corners of facing strips at side of the quilt.  Flip the facing strips to the back creating a nice finished corner.

Secure with binding strips and attach by hand.


Here what your corners will look like from the back of the quilt and the front of the quilt.



Have a wonderful day! Patty

8 comments:

  1. That is an interesting look, I like it. I liked the last quilt I made with the same color binding and border, but this is a neater, cleaner look. Thanks!

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  2. I’ve never faced a quilt before but you made it look very easy. Thank you for the tutorial.

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  3. Great tutorial! I love the way a facing looks. I have done it a few times but need to use it more oftern.

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  4. I have not ever seen this before- very nice. And thanks so much for the tutorial!

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  5. Thank you for the tutorial, just what I needed! May I ask how you will hang this? Thank you.

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  6. Very interesting. I haven't seen this yet. I like the effect on a small quilt. Thanks for the tutorial and explanation! Nicely done.

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  7. I like the crisp look of the edges. Thanks for the tutorial. The explanation and the photos make the procedure very clear.

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  8. Thanks for this tutorial. For smaller items I have done a similar binding by placing a piece of fabric slightly larger than the quilted item right sides together with the front side of the quilt. Stitched around the whole circumference with a 1/4" seam. Trim the outside edge to match the quilted item. Then cut out the center of this backing piece about 1 1/2" or so from the edge. Turn the raw edge back about 1/4", flip the binding piece and iron a knife edge so all the binding is on the back and whip stitch in place. This works well when the edges are rounded or undulating. It can also be done in the reverse so that the binding comes to the front and the edges are cut curvy and just top stitched a few times leaving a raw edge that frays when washed. Although you have wasted that large center piece of fabric, it can still be used for other projects.

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