How to Join ends of binding - no extra tools, no measuring

This is how I join the ends of a quilt binding. This method was shared by a wonderful quilter, Marilyn - at the Delectable Mountain Quilt guild in Berkeley Springs, WV.

No measuring, no extra tools - just scissors and two straight pins...or a glue stick!

Stitch your binding to your quilt, leaving a tail on both ends and a gap of at least 15 inches.

 Bring one of the tails over the gap and (roughly - it does not have to be exactly) in the middle, cut one tail. Do try to make sure it is a perpendicular cut. To do this, I fold the binding back on itself, then cut the fold.

 Open the binding, below....

 Then fold the end in making a 45 degree fold, wrong sides together.....picture below...press, with iron or finger press. I have found using the iron makes a better fold line which you will use to stitch.

 Keep the 45 degree fold in place, now fold the top of the binding back down.....

 Here is where I now use a glue stick. I rub a thin amount of glue on the exposed fold....that part that the glue stick is touching in the picture below.... This method is easiest - but it is optional....

 Keeping your cut and folded end flat, lined up with the edge of your quilt, bring the other end across and over. I use binding cut on the crossgrain, so I like to stretch it just the tiniest bit. If you used the glue, press and iron to set and dry the glue. If not, here is where you need to lift the top fold of the top binding end, then pin where the bottom fold crossed the bottom binding.....

 In the picture above, I have opened the binding. The two ends are perpendicular and I have a 45 degree fold line that will be my stitching line, shown below..... Note! if you used a pin, you will need to add another pin below the fold line and probably reposition the first one, making them both parallel to the stitching line.....just makes it easier and holds it more securely....

 Once it is stitched, before cutting any ends, pull the quilt out flat and check to make sure your joined binding is the right length. In the 30 or 40 quilts where I have used this technique - only one time did I mess up - and even then I was able to ease it in, did not have to rip out the stitches!

Then trim the 1/4 inch seam allowance and stitch the gap to your quilt!

Took many pictures and words to describe - but this is such an easy technique - if it becomes intuitive to you - you will just love it.