This blog gives you more ideas on how to finish the edges on your knitwear using binding (either ribbed binding or binding stripe cut from the main fabric).
We are going to touch on the following three finishes:
1. Knit Binding (4-fold)
2. Knit Binding (3-fold)
3. Knit Binding (as a facing)
Application 1 and 2 are interchangeable, and requires no seam allowance along the edge which you want to finish. For the last application, where the knit binding is used as a facing, you would require a typical seam allowance of 0.7cm (1/4").
So what's the difference?
The most obvious is the look, not just on the right side of the garment, but the wrong side as well (yes, we do care how the garment looks on the inside!)
We have choose to use contrast colour thread and binding for clarity, but if you choose to cut the binding from the main fabric and use a matching colour thread, the finish can be very clean and polished and all you see is just the topstitching.
Knit Binding (4-Fold)
For this first application, the finished look is the same on the right and wrong side of the garment.
This method requires pre-pressing of the binding.
Knit Binding (3-Fold)
I love to use this finish when i have no time to pre-iron my binding. It's usually used together with the coverstitch, or a twin needle machine stitch, so the right side of the garment resembles the neckline of your typical tee.
We have used coverstitch here, and you can see the loops on the wrong side of the garment.
The excess binding can be trimmed off for a cleaner finish.
Knit Binding (as a facing)
I love this finish when i do not want the binding to show up on the right side of the garment. All you see is a row of topstitching.
The wrong side is as clean and beautiful.
Need a step-by-step illustrated instruction on how to create these finishes? Go ahead and download our free instructions here.