If you have followed this blog for a while, you may have gathered that I am absolutely terrible at binding my quilts. Oh, I know how to do it, and can do it well, but I put it off. I hate sewing bindings. I'd do just about anything to avoid it.
That being said, my favorite quilt of 2020 has been needing its binding sewn on for a very long time. Piecing the Past Quilts did a sew along called Comforts and Blessings in which I participated. The blocks were 10 inches as I recall, and I thought that was too big. I wanted to reduce the size to 6 inches, which was possible for the majority of the blocks. For the remaining blocks, the math was way over my grade level, so I substituted other blocks in a six inch size.
I used Civil War Reproduction fabrics for my quilt, but chose colors that were bright and jewel toned. The result is a cheerful, colorful quilt with an outstanding variety of super cool blocks. Gosh, I love this quilt.
The blocks are so interesting. No simple filler blocks in the mix. Every one of them is complex, fun to look at, and of a pleasing color combination. You can still buy the pattern for about $20 and I think it is worth it.
You can see why I just have to get this quilt on my bed. I worked for a few hours on it while sitting on my front porch where the light is really bright and good. Have I mentioned that I am having some issues with cataracts? That situation will be taken care of in June and July, but for now hand sewing is a challenge.
I hope to wrap up the sewing of the binding today and get this beautiful quilt on my bed!
I do hope your week got off to a good start. Our weather has been so perfect, it is hard to imagine another scenario. I am savoring every precious moment.
30 responses to “Bindings and Favorite Quilt of 2020”
I hate stitching bindings, too. So tedious! This quilt is lovely, and I’ll bet you’re wishing you had done the binding a long time ago.
You always inspire me with your quilt projects. I have so many things to do this week and wonder if I’ll even be able to spend time sewing. Just seeing this quilt you show gives me an itch to let something go so that I can piece.
I hate stitching bindings, too. So tedious! This quilt is lovely, and I’ll bet you’re wishing you had done the binding a long time ago.
You always inspire me with your quilt projects. I have so many things to do this week and wonder if I’ll even be able to spend time sewing. Just seeing this quilt you show gives me an itch to let something go so that I can piece.
I hate stitching bindings, too. So tedious! This quilt is lovely, and I’ll bet you’re wishing you had done the binding a long time ago.
You always inspire me with your quilt projects. I have so many things to do this week and wonder if I’ll even be able to spend time sewing. Just seeing this quilt you show gives me an itch to let something go so that I can piece.
Sitting on the porch sewing down the binding looks relaxing and enjoyable. I look forward to seeing the complete quilt.
Sitting on the porch sewing down the binding looks relaxing and enjoyable. I look forward to seeing the complete quilt.
Sitting on the porch sewing down the binding looks relaxing and enjoyable. I look forward to seeing the complete quilt.
It’s easy to see why you’re wanting to get that binding finished! Your quilt will be beautiful on your bed! Enjoy that sunny porch! Stay well!
It’s easy to see why you’re wanting to get that binding finished! Your quilt will be beautiful on your bed! Enjoy that sunny porch! Stay well!
It’s easy to see why you’re wanting to get that binding finished! Your quilt will be beautiful on your bed! Enjoy that sunny porch! Stay well!
Beautiful quilt! It reminds me as to why I bought a fat 8th of repros last month (Elinore’s Endeavor by Betsy Chutchian). I ordered the fabric so long ago I couldn’t remember why! It is to supplement my stash. Thanks!
Beautiful quilt! It reminds me as to why I bought a fat 8th of repros last month (Elinore’s Endeavor by Betsy Chutchian). I ordered the fabric so long ago I couldn’t remember why! It is to supplement my stash. Thanks!
Beautiful quilt! It reminds me as to why I bought a fat 8th of repros last month (Elinore’s Endeavor by Betsy Chutchian). I ordered the fabric so long ago I couldn’t remember why! It is to supplement my stash. Thanks!
Your quilt is really beautiful. I need to get my quilt mojo back. I did a lot of appliqué during shutdown. Need a plan to make all those blocks into a quilt.
Mary
Your quilt is really beautiful. I need to get my quilt mojo back. I did a lot of appliqué during shutdown. Need a plan to make all those blocks into a quilt.
Mary
Your quilt is really beautiful. I need to get my quilt mojo back. I did a lot of appliqué during shutdown. Need a plan to make all those blocks into a quilt.
Mary
I tend to put bindings off too, though I don’t mind doing them, except in the summer. The way I hand sew the last step, the quilt sits on my lap and that is too hot for much of the summer here. I have a quilt waiting for its binding but it’s a Christmas quilt so I’m not feeling any sense of urgency about it.
I tend to put bindings off too, though I don’t mind doing them, except in the summer. The way I hand sew the last step, the quilt sits on my lap and that is too hot for much of the summer here. I have a quilt waiting for its binding but it’s a Christmas quilt so I’m not feeling any sense of urgency about it.
I tend to put bindings off too, though I don’t mind doing them, except in the summer. The way I hand sew the last step, the quilt sits on my lap and that is too hot for much of the summer here. I have a quilt waiting for its binding but it’s a Christmas quilt so I’m not feeling any sense of urgency about it.
the weather has been just lovely. why can’t it stay this way? 72 degree tops is perfect. that quilt is just lovely and what a perfect place to sit and stitch.
the weather has been just lovely. why can’t it stay this way? 72 degree tops is perfect. that quilt is just lovely and what a perfect place to sit and stitch.
the weather has been just lovely. why can’t it stay this way? 72 degree tops is perfect. that quilt is just lovely and what a perfect place to sit and stitch.
My friend also hates sewing on bindings, while I really enjoy it. She has a long arm, and she quilts my quilts, and I do the bindings on hers. The trade off works beautifully for us!
My friend also hates sewing on bindings, while I really enjoy it. She has a long arm, and she quilts my quilts, and I do the bindings on hers. The trade off works beautifully for us!
My friend also hates sewing on bindings, while I really enjoy it. She has a long arm, and she quilts my quilts, and I do the bindings on hers. The trade off works beautifully for us!
Absolutely beautiful!! You will be so happy when the binding is on and you can use it! Keep pressing on 😊 love the quilting too!
Absolutely beautiful!! You will be so happy when the binding is on and you can use it! Keep pressing on 😊 love the quilting too!
Absolutely beautiful!! You will be so happy when the binding is on and you can use it! Keep pressing on 😊 love the quilting too!
Some years ago I slashed off the tip of my index finger. It was sewn back on, but I still (and will always) have an annoying nerve tingling. I always hated sewing on bindings anyway(my brain is off to the next project.) Sewing by hand, knitting is now not enjoyable. Bindings are now impossible.
This will offend some, but I now do my bindings by machine. I’m not going to enter any of my quilts in competition; most of my quilts are gifts and a machine binding is stronger for kids’ quilts, etc. I prefer a flange binding which looks great and is easy to make sure you catch the flip side in the stitching. I use a combination of washable fabric glue and clips to make sure the binding is completely straight. As I said, I can’t enter these quilts in competition, but for my needs, this works.
Some years ago I slashed off the tip of my index finger. It was sewn back on, but I still (and will always) have an annoying nerve tingling. I always hated sewing on bindings anyway(my brain is off to the next project.) Sewing by hand, knitting is now not enjoyable. Bindings are now impossible.
This will offend some, but I now do my bindings by machine. I’m not going to enter any of my quilts in competition; most of my quilts are gifts and a machine binding is stronger for kids’ quilts, etc. I prefer a flange binding which looks great and is easy to make sure you catch the flip side in the stitching. I use a combination of washable fabric glue and clips to make sure the binding is completely straight. As I said, I can’t enter these quilts in competition, but for my needs, this works.
Some years ago I slashed off the tip of my index finger. It was sewn back on, but I still (and will always) have an annoying nerve tingling. I always hated sewing on bindings anyway(my brain is off to the next project.) Sewing by hand, knitting is now not enjoyable. Bindings are now impossible.
This will offend some, but I now do my bindings by machine. I’m not going to enter any of my quilts in competition; most of my quilts are gifts and a machine binding is stronger for kids’ quilts, etc. I prefer a flange binding which looks great and is easy to make sure you catch the flip side in the stitching. I use a combination of washable fabric glue and clips to make sure the binding is completely straight. As I said, I can’t enter these quilts in competition, but for my needs, this works.