Well, I have somehow nodded off and woken up to ten quilts needing bindings. How did that even happen?
This one has been sitting on the back of the couch in the library for a month, waiting for me to hand sew it down.
Five more unbound quilts are lined up on the upstairs railing. One is sitting on a quilt rack in the guest room, and my quilter tells me three more are scheduled to be delivered today.
I am in big trouble. Lesson learned? Don't wait so darn long to cut and apply the binding. The hand sewing is a chore, but at least if the bindings are machine stitched on, you can't lose them, right? I am really annoyed because for at least two of the quilts that need bindings, I can't find the fabric I am pretty sure I set aside somewhere. A year or so ago. Ahem, no wonder it's gone missing.
I read somewhere about a quilter who always, always cuts her binding when she finishes her quilt top. She has a designated basket for bindings and as soon as she gets the quilted top back, she applies that pre-cut binding. I want to be her. I have been very lackadaisical about my binding fabric practices and now I am paying the price.
My biggest problem is that I really do not enjoy sewing bindings. It seems the least creative part of the quilting process and I find it so boring. Right about now I am sure wishing I had taken a bit more care to plan out the bindings for these quilts. For heaven's sake, the binding I put on the quilt that is sitting on the back of the couch doesn't even go with the quilt top. Ugh. I really need to get better light in the sewing room.
From now on, I vow to plan the binding fabric at the same time I am making the quilt, and cut it out and have it ready to sew on the minute I get a quilt back from the quilter.
Do you plan your bindings in advance? What methods do you all employ to be sure your binding fabric doesn't get separated from its intended quilt?
81 responses to “A Profusion of Bindings”
I make the binding, roll it up and place in a zip-lock bag. I take a sharpie and write the name of the quilt, size, and the person quilting it on the bag. The bag is then placed on the upper left shelf of my fabric stash cabinet. (I currently have 3 rolls sitting there.)
I make the binding, roll it up and place in a zip-lock bag. I take a sharpie and write the name of the quilt, size, and the person quilting it on the bag. The bag is then placed on the upper left shelf of my fabric stash cabinet. (I currently have 3 rolls sitting there.)
I make the binding, roll it up and place in a zip-lock bag. I take a sharpie and write the name of the quilt, size, and the person quilting it on the bag. The bag is then placed on the upper left shelf of my fabric stash cabinet. (I currently have 3 rolls sitting there.)
Nicole, I think your answer may be to apply your binding on the machine. I was a die hard hand sewn binding quilter until the first time I tried doing it on the machine. So much faster and it looks great. I know there are several good videos on ways to do it. I think the one I first saw was on Carrie Nelson’s blog but I am sure if you google it you will find plenty.
Nicole, I think your answer may be to apply your binding on the machine. I was a die hard hand sewn binding quilter until the first time I tried doing it on the machine. So much faster and it looks great. I know there are several good videos on ways to do it. I think the one I first saw was on Carrie Nelson’s blog but I am sure if you google it you will find plenty.
Nicole, I think your answer may be to apply your binding on the machine. I was a die hard hand sewn binding quilter until the first time I tried doing it on the machine. So much faster and it looks great. I know there are several good videos on ways to do it. I think the one I first saw was on Carrie Nelson’s blog but I am sure if you google it you will find plenty.
I cut the binding out and keep it in a separate container until my quilts come back from my longarmer ( unless I intend to use some of the remnant backing for binding). I attach multiple bindings at once and then hand sew them in the evenings, so I can sit in the family room with my husband and pups.
I cut the binding out and keep it in a separate container until my quilts come back from my longarmer ( unless I intend to use some of the remnant backing for binding). I attach multiple bindings at once and then hand sew them in the evenings, so I can sit in the family room with my husband and pups.
I cut the binding out and keep it in a separate container until my quilts come back from my longarmer ( unless I intend to use some of the remnant backing for binding). I attach multiple bindings at once and then hand sew them in the evenings, so I can sit in the family room with my husband and pups.
I am way more like you about binding than some slightly more organized people I know. My intentions are there is about all I can say as I always add some yardage for binding when I buy fabric. Just not that organized I guess. Focus on how pretty all those wonderful quilts are going to look finished! DOn’t forget the labels!
Mary
I am way more like you about binding than some slightly more organized people I know. My intentions are there is about all I can say as I always add some yardage for binding when I buy fabric. Just not that organized I guess. Focus on how pretty all those wonderful quilts are going to look finished! DOn’t forget the labels!
Mary
I am way more like you about binding than some slightly more organized people I know. My intentions are there is about all I can say as I always add some yardage for binding when I buy fabric. Just not that organized I guess. Focus on how pretty all those wonderful quilts are going to look finished! DOn’t forget the labels!
Mary
I’m wishy washy with binding. Sometimes I prepare it ahead, then stick it in a hatbox where I keep my binding scraps. Other times I wait until I finish quilting it, then I make the binding. I do love hand sewing the binding though. I’ve tried it by machine and it never looks neat enough for me. I find the hand sewing relaxing.
I’m wishy washy with binding. Sometimes I prepare it ahead, then stick it in a hatbox where I keep my binding scraps. Other times I wait until I finish quilting it, then I make the binding. I do love hand sewing the binding though. I’ve tried it by machine and it never looks neat enough for me. I find the hand sewing relaxing.
I’m wishy washy with binding. Sometimes I prepare it ahead, then stick it in a hatbox where I keep my binding scraps. Other times I wait until I finish quilting it, then I make the binding. I do love hand sewing the binding though. I’ve tried it by machine and it never looks neat enough for me. I find the hand sewing relaxing.
Binding is always a pleasure when you are sewing with a friend. I save mine for quilting bees, and hanging with my husband while he’s binge watching a new show. That way, I can hide my eyes in binding if the show goes somewhere that I don’t like. I’ll be doing one tonight with peeps.
Binding is always a pleasure when you are sewing with a friend. I save mine for quilting bees, and hanging with my husband while he’s binge watching a new show. That way, I can hide my eyes in binding if the show goes somewhere that I don’t like. I’ll be doing one tonight with peeps.
Binding is always a pleasure when you are sewing with a friend. I save mine for quilting bees, and hanging with my husband while he’s binge watching a new show. That way, I can hide my eyes in binding if the show goes somewhere that I don’t like. I’ll be doing one tonight with peeps.
I do cut and make my bindings when I finish the quilts. I have just started using the Bernina #71 foot to sew them on to the quilt. It goes faster and not difficult to use. My only complaint about the foot is it works best when you cut your binding strips at 2”. For me, that’s ok for some quilts, but I do like to use 2 1/2” inch strips from time to time. There’s a great YouTube.com that shows how to use the #71 foot. And – best of all, the foot is not that expensive!
I do cut and make my bindings when I finish the quilts. I have just started using the Bernina #71 foot to sew them on to the quilt. It goes faster and not difficult to use. My only complaint about the foot is it works best when you cut your binding strips at 2”. For me, that’s ok for some quilts, but I do like to use 2 1/2” inch strips from time to time. There’s a great YouTube.com that shows how to use the #71 foot. And – best of all, the foot is not that expensive!
I do cut and make my bindings when I finish the quilts. I have just started using the Bernina #71 foot to sew them on to the quilt. It goes faster and not difficult to use. My only complaint about the foot is it works best when you cut your binding strips at 2”. For me, that’s ok for some quilts, but I do like to use 2 1/2” inch strips from time to time. There’s a great YouTube.com that shows how to use the #71 foot. And – best of all, the foot is not that expensive!
I wish I could say that I cut it out and keep with the top but I don’t always. Once in awhile I’ll fold the binding fabric in the quilt top. I’ve paid the price too because I’ve used what I had back for the binding for another project cause too much time had passed. All works out in the end.
I wish I could say that I cut it out and keep with the top but I don’t always. Once in awhile I’ll fold the binding fabric in the quilt top. I’ve paid the price too because I’ve used what I had back for the binding for another project cause too much time had passed. All works out in the end.
I wish I could say that I cut it out and keep with the top but I don’t always. Once in awhile I’ll fold the binding fabric in the quilt top. I’ve paid the price too because I’ve used what I had back for the binding for another project cause too much time had passed. All works out in the end.
I make piped binding. I sew it on the back and flip it over and stitch to the front in the ditch of the piping. I plan and make the binding when I finish the top.
I have been been machine stitching my binding since I saw how Ricky Tims did his. It was in a class with him and before his DVD. I had to figure it out for myself.
I recently did a quilt that had plain binding. I sewed it on the back and sewed it to the top with a topstitch foot. Worked perfectly. Oh, I forgot to say that I applied a tiny bead of Elmers school glue and pressed it dry. No pins.
Try it. Just make sure that your binding is roughly the same size on back and top. If you apply binding with a quarter inch seam, your binding should be cut no more than 2 inches wide.
I make piped binding. I sew it on the back and flip it over and stitch to the front in the ditch of the piping. I plan and make the binding when I finish the top.
I have been been machine stitching my binding since I saw how Ricky Tims did his. It was in a class with him and before his DVD. I had to figure it out for myself.
I recently did a quilt that had plain binding. I sewed it on the back and sewed it to the top with a topstitch foot. Worked perfectly. Oh, I forgot to say that I applied a tiny bead of Elmers school glue and pressed it dry. No pins.
Try it. Just make sure that your binding is roughly the same size on back and top. If you apply binding with a quarter inch seam, your binding should be cut no more than 2 inches wide.
I make piped binding. I sew it on the back and flip it over and stitch to the front in the ditch of the piping. I plan and make the binding when I finish the top.
I have been been machine stitching my binding since I saw how Ricky Tims did his. It was in a class with him and before his DVD. I had to figure it out for myself.
I recently did a quilt that had plain binding. I sewed it on the back and sewed it to the top with a topstitch foot. Worked perfectly. Oh, I forgot to say that I applied a tiny bead of Elmers school glue and pressed it dry. No pins.
Try it. Just make sure that your binding is roughly the same size on back and top. If you apply binding with a quarter inch seam, your binding should be cut no more than 2 inches wide.
I am like you Nicole and worry about the binding later. The last few times I have made the binding when I finished the quilt and it seemed to go so much smoother so that is what I am trying to do now. I really like the basket idea. I hate sewing binding on….really, really dislike it. You have a job ahead of you but the reward at the end will be worth it.
I am like you Nicole and worry about the binding later. The last few times I have made the binding when I finished the quilt and it seemed to go so much smoother so that is what I am trying to do now. I really like the basket idea. I hate sewing binding on….really, really dislike it. You have a job ahead of you but the reward at the end will be worth it.
I am like you Nicole and worry about the binding later. The last few times I have made the binding when I finished the quilt and it seemed to go so much smoother so that is what I am trying to do now. I really like the basket idea. I hate sewing binding on….really, really dislike it. You have a job ahead of you but the reward at the end will be worth it.
I cut and connect the binding strips when the top is done, and keep the finished roll in a clear container snacks came in from Costco. It is sometimes quite awhile before they are attached! Snuggle quilts now are machine attached.
I cut and connect the binding strips when the top is done, and keep the finished roll in a clear container snacks came in from Costco. It is sometimes quite awhile before they are attached! Snuggle quilts now are machine attached.
I cut and connect the binding strips when the top is done, and keep the finished roll in a clear container snacks came in from Costco. It is sometimes quite awhile before they are attached! Snuggle quilts now are machine attached.
You are amusing telling this story but obviously frustrated! I tend to make my binding choice early—and often I sew the binding pieces together when I hit a rough patch in the piecing or finishing process! I attach and close almost all my binding by machine. There are only a few projects in years that I’ve sewn by hand. I don’t have time for that, lol.
You are amusing telling this story but obviously frustrated! I tend to make my binding choice early—and often I sew the binding pieces together when I hit a rough patch in the piecing or finishing process! I attach and close almost all my binding by machine. There are only a few projects in years that I’ve sewn by hand. I don’t have time for that, lol.
You are amusing telling this story but obviously frustrated! I tend to make my binding choice early—and often I sew the binding pieces together when I hit a rough patch in the piecing or finishing process! I attach and close almost all my binding by machine. There are only a few projects in years that I’ve sewn by hand. I don’t have time for that, lol.
I am laughing out loud, Nicole!! Too funny!! I am now in the habit of cutting and piecing the binding as soon as I finish the flimsy. I roll it up and keep it in the top drawer of my sewing table. Then I’m able to get that fabric put away and off of my sewing table and thats a great feeling IMO. I like that feeling of completion and being able to move on to that next quilt. We have had snow twice this week already. Ugh!!!
I am laughing out loud, Nicole!! Too funny!! I am now in the habit of cutting and piecing the binding as soon as I finish the flimsy. I roll it up and keep it in the top drawer of my sewing table. Then I’m able to get that fabric put away and off of my sewing table and thats a great feeling IMO. I like that feeling of completion and being able to move on to that next quilt. We have had snow twice this week already. Ugh!!!
I am laughing out loud, Nicole!! Too funny!! I am now in the habit of cutting and piecing the binding as soon as I finish the flimsy. I roll it up and keep it in the top drawer of my sewing table. Then I’m able to get that fabric put away and off of my sewing table and thats a great feeling IMO. I like that feeling of completion and being able to move on to that next quilt. We have had snow twice this week already. Ugh!!!
Honestly the biding is always my least problem. The hardest part for me (and he one I’m loathing the most) is the actually quilting and I envy you Americans for your longarmers. For binding I just long in my stash (it’s big enough) or if I really don’t have the right farbic for it at home (rarely happens) I just vist my LQS (it’s a few steps form my work place). BTW I love to hand stitch it down it looks so much neater then machine binding.
Honestly the biding is always my least problem. The hardest part for me (and he one I’m loathing the most) is the actually quilting and I envy you Americans for your longarmers. For binding I just long in my stash (it’s big enough) or if I really don’t have the right farbic for it at home (rarely happens) I just vist my LQS (it’s a few steps form my work place). BTW I love to hand stitch it down it looks so much neater then machine binding.
Honestly the biding is always my least problem. The hardest part for me (and he one I’m loathing the most) is the actually quilting and I envy you Americans for your longarmers. For binding I just long in my stash (it’s big enough) or if I really don’t have the right farbic for it at home (rarely happens) I just vist my LQS (it’s a few steps form my work place). BTW I love to hand stitch it down it looks so much neater then machine binding.
I cut the binding while I’m cutting out the quilt, sew it together, iron it and roll onto a cardboard THEN I loose it.
I cut the binding while I’m cutting out the quilt, sew it together, iron it and roll onto a cardboard THEN I loose it.
I cut the binding while I’m cutting out the quilt, sew it together, iron it and roll onto a cardboard THEN I loose it.
I am a sewing on the binding convert. No one looks at the binding! They are just mesmerized by the beauty of the quilt. Why hand sew if you don’t enjoy it. Can your quilter do it for you?
I am a sewing on the binding convert. No one looks at the binding! They are just mesmerized by the beauty of the quilt. Why hand sew if you don’t enjoy it. Can your quilter do it for you?
I am a sewing on the binding convert. No one looks at the binding! They are just mesmerized by the beauty of the quilt. Why hand sew if you don’t enjoy it. Can your quilter do it for you?
Unless you are quilting for show, machine stitching is just fine. I like Suzie’s magic Binding (you can google it), but it also appeared in an AQS publicaion several years ago and I tore it out and it resides on my white board. The hands don’t like hand stitching anymore, and this looks great and wears well.
Unless you are quilting for show, machine stitching is just fine. I like Suzie’s magic Binding (you can google it), but it also appeared in an AQS publicaion several years ago and I tore it out and it resides on my white board. The hands don’t like hand stitching anymore, and this looks great and wears well.
Unless you are quilting for show, machine stitching is just fine. I like Suzie’s magic Binding (you can google it), but it also appeared in an AQS publicaion several years ago and I tore it out and it resides on my white board. The hands don’t like hand stitching anymore, and this looks great and wears well.
I had that same situation. Many quilts needed binding, I couldn’t find the fabric, etc. Now I TRY to make the binding as soon as the top is done. I TRY to sew the binding on as soon as I get the quilt back. I finish the binding by machine using transparent thread on top, thread matching my backing in the bobbin.
I had that same situation. Many quilts needed binding, I couldn’t find the fabric, etc. Now I TRY to make the binding as soon as the top is done. I TRY to sew the binding on as soon as I get the quilt back. I finish the binding by machine using transparent thread on top, thread matching my backing in the bobbin.
I had that same situation. Many quilts needed binding, I couldn’t find the fabric, etc. Now I TRY to make the binding as soon as the top is done. I TRY to sew the binding on as soon as I get the quilt back. I finish the binding by machine using transparent thread on top, thread matching my backing in the bobbin.
I love to sew binding, but then, I also love to iron! I know…crazy. On Monday I did the program for our art quilt group on binding. I cut & sew (always miter) binding strips as soon as I finish the flimsy. After it’s pressed in half I roll & store it in a basket. Once it’s machine sewn to the top, I hand sew it down to the back & always sew the corners in place first. Any leftover binding ‘tails’ get rolled & put back in the basket & those are what I used in my tutorial demonstration.
I love to sew binding, but then, I also love to iron! I know…crazy. On Monday I did the program for our art quilt group on binding. I cut & sew (always miter) binding strips as soon as I finish the flimsy. After it’s pressed in half I roll & store it in a basket. Once it’s machine sewn to the top, I hand sew it down to the back & always sew the corners in place first. Any leftover binding ‘tails’ get rolled & put back in the basket & those are what I used in my tutorial demonstration.
I love to sew binding, but then, I also love to iron! I know…crazy. On Monday I did the program for our art quilt group on binding. I cut & sew (always miter) binding strips as soon as I finish the flimsy. After it’s pressed in half I roll & store it in a basket. Once it’s machine sewn to the top, I hand sew it down to the back & always sew the corners in place first. Any leftover binding ‘tails’ get rolled & put back in the basket & those are what I used in my tutorial demonstration.
I don’t plan my binding. I tend to make scrappy binding in effort to use up various scraps.
However, I have quilts in need of finished binding everywhere. 5 of them are big ones. They just need the hand work to finish them.
I use to love to do binding but now that I have arthritis in my hands I put it off. I would so much rather use my hands to embroider. ;p
I don’t plan my binding. I tend to make scrappy binding in effort to use up various scraps.
However, I have quilts in need of finished binding everywhere. 5 of them are big ones. They just need the hand work to finish them.
I use to love to do binding but now that I have arthritis in my hands I put it off. I would so much rather use my hands to embroider. ;p
I don’t plan my binding. I tend to make scrappy binding in effort to use up various scraps.
However, I have quilts in need of finished binding everywhere. 5 of them are big ones. They just need the hand work to finish them.
I use to love to do binding but now that I have arthritis in my hands I put it off. I would so much rather use my hands to embroider. ;p
My binding is cut when I finidh the top and I also press and roll if soon thereafter. Then it goes with other rolled bindings in a quart mason jar. I like the idea of adding the length and quilt name to it but seldome have many finished quilts waiting for binding! Nice “problem”!
Hugs!
My binding is cut when I finidh the top and I also press and roll if soon thereafter. Then it goes with other rolled bindings in a quart mason jar. I like the idea of adding the length and quilt name to it but seldome have many finished quilts waiting for binding! Nice “problem”!
Hugs!
My binding is cut when I finidh the top and I also press and roll if soon thereafter. Then it goes with other rolled bindings in a quart mason jar. I like the idea of adding the length and quilt name to it but seldome have many finished quilts waiting for binding! Nice “problem”!
Hugs!
If I know what my binding will be when I’m working on my quilt, I’ll get it cut and if I need a leader/ender I’ll sew my binding then. Doesn’t feel so tedious as sewing it at the end.
If I know what my binding will be when I’m working on my quilt, I’ll get it cut and if I need a leader/ender I’ll sew my binding then. Doesn’t feel so tedious as sewing it at the end.
If I know what my binding will be when I’m working on my quilt, I’ll get it cut and if I need a leader/ender I’ll sew my binding then. Doesn’t feel so tedious as sewing it at the end.
I do not plan the fabric for the binding but look for it after the quilting, and I hand sew it in the evening in front of the TV. It might take a few evenings, since i do not work fast but it gets done and I can use the quilt.
I do not plan the fabric for the binding but look for it after the quilting, and I hand sew it in the evening in front of the TV. It might take a few evenings, since i do not work fast but it gets done and I can use the quilt.
I do not plan the fabric for the binding but look for it after the quilting, and I hand sew it in the evening in front of the TV. It might take a few evenings, since i do not work fast but it gets done and I can use the quilt.
I also hate to use that much time to hand sew bindings. About a year ago I bit the bullet and figured out how to machine sew my bindings. Now only takes one morning to make and sew on bindings. It did take practice to make the stitching nice and even, though.If at all possible, I try to use a fabric that is in the quilt for the binding.
I also hate to use that much time to hand sew bindings. About a year ago I bit the bullet and figured out how to machine sew my bindings. Now only takes one morning to make and sew on bindings. It did take practice to make the stitching nice and even, though.If at all possible, I try to use a fabric that is in the quilt for the binding.
I also hate to use that much time to hand sew bindings. About a year ago I bit the bullet and figured out how to machine sew my bindings. Now only takes one morning to make and sew on bindings. It did take practice to make the stitching nice and even, though.If at all possible, I try to use a fabric that is in the quilt for the binding.
I used to not think ahead but after a few frustrating experiences, I changed! I like my binding to match my outer border, so I always buy an extra 1/2 – 3/4 yards for the binding. When the top is completed, I make the binding and tuck it away in a basket until I’ve quilted the quilt and it’s ready for me to attach. Being the same fabric as the border, it’s easy to match it to the correct quilt.
I used to not think ahead but after a few frustrating experiences, I changed! I like my binding to match my outer border, so I always buy an extra 1/2 – 3/4 yards for the binding. When the top is completed, I make the binding and tuck it away in a basket until I’ve quilted the quilt and it’s ready for me to attach. Being the same fabric as the border, it’s easy to match it to the correct quilt.
I used to not think ahead but after a few frustrating experiences, I changed! I like my binding to match my outer border, so I always buy an extra 1/2 – 3/4 yards for the binding. When the top is completed, I make the binding and tuck it away in a basket until I’ve quilted the quilt and it’s ready for me to attach. Being the same fabric as the border, it’s easy to match it to the correct quilt.
I am hit or miss for bindings….sometimes I cut and make them right when I finish the top (usually when it is a kit and the fabric is right there), and sometimes I don’t even think about them until the end. And then there are those special times I make them and put them “somewhere safe” where they are promptly forgotten!
I am hit or miss for bindings….sometimes I cut and make them right when I finish the top (usually when it is a kit and the fabric is right there), and sometimes I don’t even think about them until the end. And then there are those special times I make them and put them “somewhere safe” where they are promptly forgotten!
I am hit or miss for bindings….sometimes I cut and make them right when I finish the top (usually when it is a kit and the fabric is right there), and sometimes I don’t even think about them until the end. And then there are those special times I make them and put them “somewhere safe” where they are promptly forgotten!
I just came across your post about bindings. I’m a person who likes to handstitch the binding to the quilt after it had been first machine stitched to the front of the quilt. I find it relaxing to stitch the binding to the back. I take small stitches and snug the binding to the quilt. I’d hate to have to take the binding off a quilt and replace it. I want my binding to stay on the quilt. I don’t want my stitches to show. So it takes me a long time and I enjoy it. I had a friend who was orginially a clothes sewist. She was in a tremendous panic about binding her first quilt. I kept telling her that she could do it – we had taken many sewing classes and piecing classes together. Finally, I went to her house. Together we cut the binding strips. I pinned all the binding strips into place at right angles so that they would be mitered. She did all the sewing. I trimmed all the seams and she and I each took turns pressing the seams OPEN. Then she pressed the binding in half lengthwise. We began pinning the binding to the quilt toward one corner – we began in the middle of one long side. When she got close to the first corner, I showed her how to miter her corner and then she was off and running down the next side. I doubled checked each corner as she did it. Then when it came time to finish up the tail, we had our final lesson. As dinner time was approaching and it was getting time for her husband to come home from work, we had pinned each mitered corner on the back and a few places just for confidence. She knew what to do from sewing days. Lesson: sometimes it helps just to have someone with you to help you over a stumbling block and it’s more fun when two people do a task, too. When I buy fabric for a quilt, I almost always buy my backing and binding at the same time. Even if I do not make the quilt immediately, I put the “kit” with the pattern in a box with everything except the batting and it stays together. When I make the quilt, I make the binding unless I am making it out of the same fabric as the backing and I let the longarm quilter know that is my intention so that person can be cautious with my fabric. I never plan to use the leftover on the sides for part of the binding unless it is a pretty small quilt and it is a wide backing. I have a special box where I keep those pre-made backings. My binding almost always matches my backing (my preference). If not, at least it matches one of the fabrics in my quilt, if possible. Good luck – I hope you have all the bindings finished. I wish we lived close. I would be glad to stitch the bindings down for you. Susan
I just came across your post about bindings. I’m a person who likes to handstitch the binding to the quilt after it had been first machine stitched to the front of the quilt. I find it relaxing to stitch the binding to the back. I take small stitches and snug the binding to the quilt. I’d hate to have to take the binding off a quilt and replace it. I want my binding to stay on the quilt. I don’t want my stitches to show. So it takes me a long time and I enjoy it. I had a friend who was orginially a clothes sewist. She was in a tremendous panic about binding her first quilt. I kept telling her that she could do it – we had taken many sewing classes and piecing classes together. Finally, I went to her house. Together we cut the binding strips. I pinned all the binding strips into place at right angles so that they would be mitered. She did all the sewing. I trimmed all the seams and she and I each took turns pressing the seams OPEN. Then she pressed the binding in half lengthwise. We began pinning the binding to the quilt toward one corner – we began in the middle of one long side. When she got close to the first corner, I showed her how to miter her corner and then she was off and running down the next side. I doubled checked each corner as she did it. Then when it came time to finish up the tail, we had our final lesson. As dinner time was approaching and it was getting time for her husband to come home from work, we had pinned each mitered corner on the back and a few places just for confidence. She knew what to do from sewing days. Lesson: sometimes it helps just to have someone with you to help you over a stumbling block and it’s more fun when two people do a task, too. When I buy fabric for a quilt, I almost always buy my backing and binding at the same time. Even if I do not make the quilt immediately, I put the “kit” with the pattern in a box with everything except the batting and it stays together. When I make the quilt, I make the binding unless I am making it out of the same fabric as the backing and I let the longarm quilter know that is my intention so that person can be cautious with my fabric. I never plan to use the leftover on the sides for part of the binding unless it is a pretty small quilt and it is a wide backing. I have a special box where I keep those pre-made backings. My binding almost always matches my backing (my preference). If not, at least it matches one of the fabrics in my quilt, if possible. Good luck – I hope you have all the bindings finished. I wish we lived close. I would be glad to stitch the bindings down for you. Susan
I just came across your post about bindings. I’m a person who likes to handstitch the binding to the quilt after it had been first machine stitched to the front of the quilt. I find it relaxing to stitch the binding to the back. I take small stitches and snug the binding to the quilt. I’d hate to have to take the binding off a quilt and replace it. I want my binding to stay on the quilt. I don’t want my stitches to show. So it takes me a long time and I enjoy it. I had a friend who was orginially a clothes sewist. She was in a tremendous panic about binding her first quilt. I kept telling her that she could do it – we had taken many sewing classes and piecing classes together. Finally, I went to her house. Together we cut the binding strips. I pinned all the binding strips into place at right angles so that they would be mitered. She did all the sewing. I trimmed all the seams and she and I each took turns pressing the seams OPEN. Then she pressed the binding in half lengthwise. We began pinning the binding to the quilt toward one corner – we began in the middle of one long side. When she got close to the first corner, I showed her how to miter her corner and then she was off and running down the next side. I doubled checked each corner as she did it. Then when it came time to finish up the tail, we had our final lesson. As dinner time was approaching and it was getting time for her husband to come home from work, we had pinned each mitered corner on the back and a few places just for confidence. She knew what to do from sewing days. Lesson: sometimes it helps just to have someone with you to help you over a stumbling block and it’s more fun when two people do a task, too. When I buy fabric for a quilt, I almost always buy my backing and binding at the same time. Even if I do not make the quilt immediately, I put the “kit” with the pattern in a box with everything except the batting and it stays together. When I make the quilt, I make the binding unless I am making it out of the same fabric as the backing and I let the longarm quilter know that is my intention so that person can be cautious with my fabric. I never plan to use the leftover on the sides for part of the binding unless it is a pretty small quilt and it is a wide backing. I have a special box where I keep those pre-made backings. My binding almost always matches my backing (my preference). If not, at least it matches one of the fabrics in my quilt, if possible. Good luck – I hope you have all the bindings finished. I wish we lived close. I would be glad to stitch the bindings down for you. Susan