The top picture shows how the finished binding looks – in this case about 1cm wide, and lying totally flat on the table. This pic was added in the edit phase to avoid having to totally re-do the post – collages are great but I didn’t notice how bloggger or picasa in effect added an extra crop in the collage process. It was late – I was tired. Note how the corner folds into a mitred fold – this has not even yet been pressed as I usually do to give the crispest possible appearance, and never needs any stitching to hold it in place. As you turn over the binding to the back to hand stitch down the corner again folds into a mitred fold; and I only secure it with a couple of stitches at the base of the fold, right in the corner, before continuing hand sewing towards the next corner (see final pic in the first collage, above)

Using the walking foot and a 3/8″ seam allowance as I did here, sew on, repeating all steps at each corner until you come to within about 6″ of where you began, and here let’s hope you were right in your estimate and have a few inches of strip left. Trim to leave a generous 1cm or about 5/8 ” seam allowance on each end UL – pin and sew. Flatten out seam allowance, refold, and check to see it lies flat against the front of the quilt; if necessary adjust the seam allowance to take up any slack or ease a little out. Refold and pin, sew along the seam allowance UR

LL Wherever there is a join in the binding it will be a bit thicker – so carefully cut a little of the seam allowance away in the zone of the join as shown (say about 1/16″) – to accomodate the extra thickness of the binding here as it is sewn down. Hand stitch down all round the edge on the back of the quilt. The corners need only a stitch or two at the base of the fold before starting on the next side.