How to knife-edge finish quilts

Unlike most modern quilts, old British coverlets and quilts usually have a knife-edge finish rather than a binding, and it’s a skill that is well worth learning!

• How to bind a quilt – the easy peasy guide to quilt edging
• Create professional-looking quilts with the best quilting frames
• How to sew curved binding: tips and tricks

The project pictured, Susan Briscoe’s Sidmouth Revisited reproduction quilt (as featured in Issue 15 of Today’s Quilter magazine), was finished in this way and gives the quilt a firmer, flatter edge.

You’ll find it easy to try this technique with Susan’s step-by-step instructions in our free quilting tutorial. Let’s get started!

How to knife edge finish a quilt

Step 1

To make a knife edge, trim the backing and batting to the same size as the patchwork. Hand or machine quilt all around the quilt, 1in from the edge (the original and Susan’s version are hand quilted).

Separate the edges of the patchwork top and backing fabric and trim ¼in off the edge of the batting all round with scissors, taking care not to clip the backing or patchwork as you do so.

If it helps, pin the patchwork and the backing fabric folded away from the edge. Don’t worry if the edge of the batting is slightly wavy, as tiny amounts of excess batting will be hidden in the edge finish.

Step 2

Turn in the ¼in seam allowance all round the quilt. Turn in the backing first, overlapping the batting. Place the pins at right angles to the quilt edge, pointing towards the quilt centre, so you can pull the pins out later. Fold under a ¼in hem all round the patchwork and pin, lining up with the edge of the backing and keeping the edge as straight as possible.

Slipstitch or ladder stitch the edge of the patchwork to the edge of the backing. At each corner, fold in the seam allowances of the back and front of the coverlet square but in opposite directions and overlap them before tucking them in, as shown below.

Step 3

This step is optional – quilt another line all around the coverlet a ¼in from the edge or midway between the edge and the previous quilting line. Many traditional British quilts have a second line or third line of quilting, which helps give a firmer, flatter edge.

Don’t forget to add a label to help people identify your work in the future.

More expert advice

Continue your quilting journey and get even more tips and advice in our complete guide to quilt wadding and batting.

Read more

• Free hexagon templates: hexagon printables for crafts and patchwork
• Sashiko Quilting made easy
• Hand appliqué tutorial – all you need to know

Susan Briscoe

Susan is a designer and textile artist, specialising in sashiko, kogin, boro inspired textiles, and quilts inspired by Japanese design and traditions. She returns to Japan as often as possible to learn more, keep her Japanese language skills alive, stay aware of the latest trends in Japanese quilting via regular visits to the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival, visit friends, and track down interesting textile items for her customers. She is the author of quite a few books (including the recent ‘The Book of Boro’) and teaches textile and sashiko workshops. She also sells sashiko and kogin materials, plus modern and vintage Japanese fabrics.

See author's posts