The use of a binding to finish the hem, collar or cuff on a fleece sewing project comes in very handy. This technique has been used successfully in factory made outdoor clothing and you can get the same effect at home. Although bindings can be used on any material, stretch binding is most useful with fleece. Stretch binding can also be used to finish other materials. For instance with mesh it can be used to make an elastic mesh pocket. With nylon it is also used to give an elastic finish to any edge, for instance in a backpack. Even use it to finish the hems and cuffs on for instance a light running/skiing suit.
To attach the binding, start on one end of the edge to be finished, and fold the binding over the edge so that half is below and half above. No need to pre-pin the binding, better to fold as you sew. Using a long straigt stitch, or a stretch stitch, sew 2–3 mm from the finished edge. Stretch the binding as you sew to give an elastic effect, making sure that you catch the underside in the seam. A finished example (the edge of a Powerstretch Tunturi hat) is shown below.
If the edge forms a circle, the binding is finished by overlapping the starting point and folding the binding under. Sew and back-stitch over the binding, then cut off the remainder. This gives a nice looking finish as shown below (inside view).
