Binding Tip!

How many of you pin your whole binding before sewing it down? I used to do that many, many years ago. I was stuck by a pin with almost every stitch! Then I started using binding clips and clipped the whole binding before I sewed it. These fell off or got messed up as I stitched. Now? I use ONE binding clip and move it a few inches in front of my stitches. When I stitch up to it, I move it on down the binding. SUPER SIMPLE and a Great Time Saver! Give it a try!

Thanks for stopping by and take care,

Missie

 

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Don't Cha Hate It When This Happens???

I am on my last 5" of stitching binding and I need new thread! It's amazing how often this happens isn't it! My 16 year old has been sewing lately and she is noticing this happens to her too. She has been giggling with me about it as she runs out of bobbin with a few inches to go. She also used a whole spool of odd colored thread and had about 4" left when she finished her project! Lucky Katie!

The good news is...I am just about done with this KING sized binding!! Yippee!

May your thread never run out...

Missie

 

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More On Binding My Way...

I had quite a few questions as I replied to comments on the binding post yesterday, so I will try my best to explain how I do bindings for you today.

First, cut 1 3/4" strips. This can be done on the straight of grain or on the bias. I prefer bias strips, but forgot to take a picture that way! The quilt I am binding now is done with strips cut on the grain as shown because I was short on fabric.

Then sew the strips you just cut together lengthwise. You can see my seam here.

Then press the whole length of the long strip you now have. I sometimes will fold off center just a bit if my batting is thicker or will poof up a bit after it is washed. You can see the wrong side of the fabric peeking out in the picture below. I will also do this if I want a bit larger than my normal quarter inch binding. If this is the case my seam allowance needs to be a bit larger than a quarter inch also! By pressing off center a bit, basically I am giving myself a wider folded strip.

Then, lay the binding, open side to the edge of the quilt edge. Stitch 1/4" away from the edge, about where the scissor point is laying. I usually use a walking foot to prevent wavy edges, although I am not sure it helps me at times.

After the binding is sewn on all around the quilt, fold the binding to the back side and clip in place, covering the stitch line.

 

See how I am barely covering the stitches from where the binding was sewn on.

Then, when you stitch the binding down, hold in place as if it were appliqué. The clip will assist in making this easier. When you reach the clip, move it forward a few inches.

Now does this make more sense?

 

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Binding Time!

The quilting is done and now I am binding DD and SIL's new quilt! The good news is that it will be done in time for the movers to pack it up and take it to Georgia to their new home. The bad news is that it is over 400" of binding! Ha Ha! Ginger feels the same way I do about binding!

She is snuggling up to it this morning. Last night she was laying on the part that was at my feet while I stitched one side of binding down. I had to keep moving her as I adjusted the quilt to get to the next part for stitching. I guess she is making sure to get the snuggles in before the quilt goes to it's new home. Funny how pets love to snuggle on quilts!

She had a good report on her broken leg last week! It is healing well. She now has freedom to walk slowly on the wood floor and have freedom throughout the main floor of the house. No big flight of steps allowed yet, but she got a little energetic and ran up and down when we weren't looking! So now we are doing the baby gate thing for a few more weeks while we build her strength back with daily walks. She is still limping a bit at times and I hope that will go away soon. I hate that she is hurting even a bit when she walks!

How do you like to make a binding? I cut bias strips 1 3/4" wide, sew the strips together and then press the long length in half. Actually I offset this seam a bit as you can see in the picture below. It is offset about a scant 1/8". I use a walking foot and a 1/4" seam when stitching on the folded binding.

Using this method gives me a nice small binding. I like to use one goodie clip as a pin to hold the folded edge in place a bit as I stitch up to it. I only use one clip because it is easier to handle one as you move it along the binding. Using more clips ahead of my stitching does not do me any good because I am placing the binding in it's exact place one stitch at a time. I usually place the clip about 4" ahead of my stitching and work up to it as shown in this picture below. The clip helps me get the folded edge in the approximate location needed and reduces the pull the binding makes with the double layer as it is folded to the back. Make sense?

Have a great day and take care ! I will show a picture of the quilt on a bed when the binding is done... Until then...

Missie

 

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