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How to Hem a Quilt Border

Hemming the border on a quilt provides a strong and durable edge to the finished product. Hemming a quilt is the process of sewing the material so the fabric from which its made doesn’t unravel. A hem holds the quilt’s layers together — the two fabric layers and the batting inside — and prevents them from shifting.

Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Iron
  • Needle
  • Thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the batting with scissors so each piece is ½ inch shorter than the quilt layers on all sides.

    • 2

      Fold the top side of the top layer of quilt down ¼ inch. Flatten the fold with an iron. Repeat with all four sides of the top layer of quilt.

    • 3

      Fold the top side of the bottom layer of quilt down ¼ inch. Flatten the fold with an iron. Repeat with all four sides of the bottom layer of quilt.

    • 4

      Lay the bottom layer of quilt on a flat surface, folds down.

    • 5

      Lay the first layer of batting on top of the bottom quilt layer.

    • 6

      Fold the ironed folds on the bottom quilt layer on top of the first layer of batting.

    • 7

      Lay the second layer of batting on top of the first layer of batting. The first layer of batting should be encased in the quilt folds; the second layer of batting should be sitting on top of the folds.

    • 8

      Lay the top layer of quilt on the second layer of batting, folds up.

    • 9

      Fold the ironed folds on the top quilt layer underneath the second layer of batting.

    • 10

      Insert pins about 1 inch in from the border and secure all the layers together.

    • 11

      Thread a sewing needle with thread that matches the colors of the quilt.

    • 12

      Stitch the entire perimeter of the quilt, through all the layers, ¼ inch in from the edge. You should stitch the edge of the folds.

    • 13

      Stitch the entire perimeter of the quilt, through all the layers, on the very edge.

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