Ripped binding --- How can it be repaired

Hello, I am new to the site, and quilting for that matter. I need HELP! I just finished machine quilting a lap quilt, and when I was trimming the batting from the backing/binding material; my super-sharp scissors ripped a gash in the material. The edge of the backing will be folded over to make the binding edge. It is a very narrow piece of material so I don't have a lot of material to work with. When this happened all I could do was walk away.

Now that I am ready to face repairing this, can anyone tell me how I might be able to repair this so that it will look presentable? This is a memory quilt that is being sent to a family that lost a child, so I want it to look as best it can. I have been so careful with this quilt, and the one time I use my scissors instead of my rotary cutter, this happens. I am in a bit of a pickle. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

If an image of the gash would help just just let me know and I will post it later this evening.

Thanks so much!

It may be easier to just trim all the edges, and turn it into a separate binding? That way you could cut out the slashed part. I'm not sure if you have enough, you'd need 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches to do this. You'd also need an extra piece to fill in what you lost with the cut portion and give you room to join the ends of the binding together. I know how frustrating that is, bless your heart.

Jenny has a great tutorial on machine binding if you're in a hurry to finish it.

You always have the option to trim the backing even with the top and apply a binding. It's not that difficult to do if your other options don't work out for you.

I would use an iron on tape for that. Easily added on and tucked up under the binding. When I recently did a quilt resque it had rips in places where I needed to applique. and I took small strips of iron on repair tape and used them. It worked just fine.

Thank you so much for your reply. Can you recommend a repair tape that might work for my dilemma?

First, Welcome to the forums.


If I understand correctly, your plan was to leave the backing larger than the batting and front then fold it over to act as binding but while cutting you have cut into the part of the backing you need to fold over as binding?

Hard to say without seeing the damage but I would say cut the backing flush and use a separate binding. It is very difficult to repair cut fabric.

Sorry your scissors messed up your hard work. My wife and I have both done similar things with scissors and a rotary cutter to projects we were working on. I guess it is all part of being a quilter.

Thank you so much for your reply. I will definitely check out Jenny's tutorial. I definitely need to finish this quilt. I should have had it completed a month or so ago. Thank you so much!

I have a feeling that is is what is going to have to be done. I was hoping to be able to fold the excess backing material over to make my binding. But it looks like I am going to have to add a separate binding.

I would hate to send something to a family and have it look less than perfect.

Thank you so much for your suggestion!

You understand my dilemma perfectly, and yes I was hoping to fold the backing over to make the binding.

I believe the separate binding is going to have to be done. I've never made a binding so I have no idea what to do, but I am sure I can find something on YouTube to help me.

Thanks so much for your help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maxandfigaro

Thank you so much for your reply. Can you recommend a repair tape that might work for my dilemma?

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You will find it with the iron on patches at your local shop, JoAnn's should have it. I got mine at the Hancocks that went out of business. I can't say what brand I bought, as it's just in a ziplock bag in my sewing box now, label gone.

It's "Iron on repair tape" is the best I can do... with the notions.

Thank you. I am definitely going to try this and see how it looks. If it looks bad, then I will go the route of making a separate binding. I really appreciate your help.

Nothing to it! there is a tut for that! that's what I would do as well....trim the whole thing and sew on a binding.

Not exactly sure what you are describing, but an iron on interfacing works great. Just a small piece little larger than the cut and iron it on. I do this often...admittedly! Things happen!

Thanks so much. I just happen to have a piece of interfacing that I can try. If it doesn't work then I will cut the material off and make a separate binding. Just so you know what I was trying to describe...I made the backing larger than the actual top so that I could fold the material over and make a binding; rather than making and sewing on a separate binding. (Hopefully this makes sense.) Thanks again!

How about covering the place with your label after the iron on tape mends it.
I have put a label in a odd place for this reason before and it worked just fine.

I hope you can fix it. I've used the fold over technique on little stuff like pot holders but I imagine it is trickier on a bigger quilt sized project.

Make sure and get some pictures to post as well. Making a memory quilt is a very sweet thing to do.