Bag binding is a useful technique for covering raw seam allowances and creating a cleaner finish inside a handmade bag. If you've opened a bag and seen the interior seams neatly wrapped with another material, you're looking at binding.

Binding can make the inside of a bag look more finished while protecting exposed seam allowances. Two options bag makers can use are 1-inch fold-over elastic, commonly called FOE, and strips cut from waterproof canvas.

Each behaves differently at the sewing machine, so understanding the differences can help you choose the right binding for your bag and get better results.

What Is Binding in Bag Making?

Binding is a strip of material sewn over a raw seam allowance or edge. In bag construction, you'll often see it used on interior seams where the exterior and lining pieces have been sewn together.

Instead of leaving those seam allowances exposed, binding wraps around them and creates a neater finished edge.

Depending on the pattern and construction method, binding can help:

• Cover raw interior edges
• Create a cleaner-looking interior
• Protect exposed seam allowances
• Add another coordinated or contrasting detail to the bag

Using Fold-Over Elastic for Bag Binding

Fold-over elastic is a convenient option because it's designed to fold around an edge. Its flexibility can also make it easier to work around curved seams.

For bag makers, FOE offers several advantages:

• Minimal preparation: There's no need to cut binding strips from yardage before you begin.
• Flexible: Its stretch can help it follow curved areas.
• Easy to coordinate: Different colors can be used to blend with the lining or create a contrasting interior detail.
• Clean finish: The folded elastic wraps around the raw edge to finish both sides at once.

Tips for Sewing Fold-Over Elastic

The stretch that makes FOE useful can also be the part that takes practice. Too much stretching can distort the seam, while too little control can allow the binding to shift or bunch.

Clip the FOE around the raw edge before sewing and check that the seam allowance is captured inside the fold. Work slowly, especially around curves, and keep an eye on both sides of the binding as you sew.

Using Waterproof Canvas for Bag Binding

Waterproof canvas offers a different binding experience. Instead of using a ready-made elastic binding, you cut strips from the canvas and use those strips to cover the raw seam.

This can be a good choice when you want a firmer binding or want the binding to coordinate with waterproof canvas already being used elsewhere in the project.

When preparing canvas binding:

• Cut strips to the width required by your pattern or binding method.
• Keep your strips straight and consistent in width.
• Clip the binding securely before sewing.
• Pay attention to bulky areas where several seam allowances meet.

Because canvas doesn't behave the same way as elastic, curves and tight areas may require a little more patience and practice.

Fold-Over Elastic vs. Waterproof Canvas Binding

Neither option is automatically right for every bag. The better choice depends on the pattern, shape of the seam, materials you're already using, and the finished look you want.

How to Get Better at Binding Bags

Binding is one of those bag making techniques that usually gets easier with repetition. Your first attempt may not be perfectly even, particularly around curves or bulky seam intersections.

Instead of expecting perfect binding immediately, focus on a few things at a time:

• Keep the raw seam allowance centered inside the binding.
• Use plenty of clips to keep everything positioned.
• Slow down when approaching curves and bulky intersections.
• Check the opposite side periodically to make sure you're catching the binding.
• Practice on scraps before trying a new binding material on a finished bag.

Try Binding on Your Next Bag

If you've been avoiding patterns with bound interior seams, consider giving one a try. Start slowly, use clips generously, and test the binding material on scraps first.

Fold-over elastic gives you a flexible, ready-to-use option, while waterproof canvas creates a firmer fabric binding. Once you've worked with both, you'll have a better feel for which one you prefer for different bag styles.

Binding doesn't need to be perfect on the first try. The more bags you bind, the easier it becomes to judge curves, control the layers, and keep your stitching where you want it.