Didn't this quilt turn out pretty? It is August Blooms, an ancient Fig Tree pattern I started probably ten years ago. It was my first serious machine appliqué project. I had such a nice stash of Fig Tree fabrics then, and a friend sent me a box full of her Fig Tree scraps, and this quilt just kind of came together. I remember how proud I was of my first machine appliqué efforts.
In my year of Finish It, this quilt top was at the top of the pile of quilts that needed to be sent out for quilting. This Christmas, my goal is that everyone in my family will receive a quilt from me. The stack of unquilted tops in my sewing room was ridiculous. Someone needs to be enjoying these things. I have a big family (25+), so there are a lot of quilts being sent out for quilting. I've been sending out three at a time, so with luck, I will have enough for everyone by December. Of course I have to bind all these things, which is another story.
So, speaking of binding, have you ever done Bias Binding? I have tried it a few times with dismal results. You have to wrap your mind around a slightly tricky spacial maneuver, which I have a dreadful time with. Last time I gave it a go, I ended up with a dozen donut shaped strips, and not the nice long continuous strip of bias binding the instructions promised. This time I used a book and a YouTube video to help me grasp the concept.
This handy little book has served me very well over the years. If you need to figure out how much yardage you need for backing or what size triangle squares to make for your diagonal set quilt, this is your reference tool. It also has very clear instruction for making bias binding.
I got 80% of the way along with my binding when I realized I still didn't grasp just how to sew that tube together and where exactly to cut my strips. Thank goodness for YouTube! I found a great video that demos the method, and I was able to comprehend the method in a flash. If you are like me and really need to SEE something to understand it, check out this video: Continuous Binding Parts one and two by Cuddle Time Quilts.
I did it all just the way shown and got great results. I wanted bias binding for this quilt because I had a cute striped fabric and it is so much more adorable when the stripes are at an angle rather than on the straight of grain.
I got miles of bias binding out of a 29" square of fabric, can you believe it? Do give it a try if you have been wondering about the method.
45 responses to “August Blooms, Quilted and Bias Bound”
This quilt is lovely. The family member who receives it will be very lucky. And it’s freeing to finish up those flimsies!
My favorite bias binding directions are on Heather Mulder Peterson’s blog, Trends and Traditions. She includes a .pdf you can download with directions for cutting the bias binding that are brilliant. Here’s the link: https://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/quick-and-easy-bias-cut-binding-tip/
Her tips on binding scalloped edges, inside and outside corners are wonderful too. The woman is a natural teacher. These are under her Tutorials tab.
This quilt is lovely. The family member who receives it will be very lucky. And it’s freeing to finish up those flimsies!
My favorite bias binding directions are on Heather Mulder Peterson’s blog, Trends and Traditions. She includes a .pdf you can download with directions for cutting the bias binding that are brilliant. Here’s the link: https://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/quick-and-easy-bias-cut-binding-tip/
Her tips on binding scalloped edges, inside and outside corners are wonderful too. The woman is a natural teacher. These are under her Tutorials tab.
This quilt is lovely. The family member who receives it will be very lucky. And it’s freeing to finish up those flimsies!
My favorite bias binding directions are on Heather Mulder Peterson’s blog, Trends and Traditions. She includes a .pdf you can download with directions for cutting the bias binding that are brilliant. Here’s the link: https://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/quick-and-easy-bias-cut-binding-tip/
Her tips on binding scalloped edges, inside and outside corners are wonderful too. The woman is a natural teacher. These are under her Tutorials tab.
August Blooms is really soft and lovely looking, and the binding will complement it perfectly. I plan to look at the references, including Heather’s directions as noted above. Love Fig Tree, it’s one designer with her own bin of scraps. My current Fig Tree quilt has two new lines in it and scraps from two much older lines, including those charm packs which I love for making 4 patches. Come Christmas, you will be so glad you traveled down the UFO road.
August Blooms is really soft and lovely looking, and the binding will complement it perfectly. I plan to look at the references, including Heather’s directions as noted above. Love Fig Tree, it’s one designer with her own bin of scraps. My current Fig Tree quilt has two new lines in it and scraps from two much older lines, including those charm packs which I love for making 4 patches. Come Christmas, you will be so glad you traveled down the UFO road.
August Blooms is really soft and lovely looking, and the binding will complement it perfectly. I plan to look at the references, including Heather’s directions as noted above. Love Fig Tree, it’s one designer with her own bin of scraps. My current Fig Tree quilt has two new lines in it and scraps from two much older lines, including those charm packs which I love for making 4 patches. Come Christmas, you will be so glad you traveled down the UFO road.
REally cute quilt. NO, I have never done bias binding but it looks like I need to try it. Thanks for the link. Everyone in your family is going to be so pleased and grateful for your beautiful gifts this year. You are definitely on a roll Nicole.
Mary
REally cute quilt. NO, I have never done bias binding but it looks like I need to try it. Thanks for the link. Everyone in your family is going to be so pleased and grateful for your beautiful gifts this year. You are definitely on a roll Nicole.
Mary
REally cute quilt. NO, I have never done bias binding but it looks like I need to try it. Thanks for the link. Everyone in your family is going to be so pleased and grateful for your beautiful gifts this year. You are definitely on a roll Nicole.
Mary
August Blooms is utterly beautiful! I’d have to keep this quilt for myself – especially since it shows your first machine applique.
Hugs!
August Blooms is utterly beautiful! I’d have to keep this quilt for myself – especially since it shows your first machine applique.
Hugs!
August Blooms is utterly beautiful! I’d have to keep this quilt for myself – especially since it shows your first machine applique.
Hugs!
What a lovely quilt. Congratulations on getting another UFO into the “done” column!
When I started quilting back in the 1980’s (yeah, I am ancient! LOL) all we did was bias bindings.
I was never happy because I could never get all 4 corners to come out well.
Several years ago I switched out to straight grain binding and find it much, much easier to get my corners to come out really pretty.
Of course, if I was doing a curved binding I would have to go back to bias. . . but for now I’m just not that adventurous.
Have a splendid day!
What a lovely quilt. Congratulations on getting another UFO into the “done” column!
When I started quilting back in the 1980’s (yeah, I am ancient! LOL) all we did was bias bindings.
I was never happy because I could never get all 4 corners to come out well.
Several years ago I switched out to straight grain binding and find it much, much easier to get my corners to come out really pretty.
Of course, if I was doing a curved binding I would have to go back to bias. . . but for now I’m just not that adventurous.
Have a splendid day!
What a lovely quilt. Congratulations on getting another UFO into the “done” column!
When I started quilting back in the 1980’s (yeah, I am ancient! LOL) all we did was bias bindings.
I was never happy because I could never get all 4 corners to come out well.
Several years ago I switched out to straight grain binding and find it much, much easier to get my corners to come out really pretty.
Of course, if I was doing a curved binding I would have to go back to bias. . . but for now I’m just not that adventurous.
Have a splendid day!
Thanks for “talking” about bias binding. I haven’t needed to use it but will make a note for future reference….as long as I don’t misplace my notebook!! I have a problem with corners, as I bind to the back. Mine want to curve rather than nice sharp corners…does this make sense to anyone??
Thanks for “talking” about bias binding. I haven’t needed to use it but will make a note for future reference….as long as I don’t misplace my notebook!! I have a problem with corners, as I bind to the back. Mine want to curve rather than nice sharp corners…does this make sense to anyone??
Thanks for “talking” about bias binding. I haven’t needed to use it but will make a note for future reference….as long as I don’t misplace my notebook!! I have a problem with corners, as I bind to the back. Mine want to curve rather than nice sharp corners…does this make sense to anyone??
gorgeous quilt! love the soft yellows. ;p
gorgeous quilt! love the soft yellows. ;p
gorgeous quilt! love the soft yellows. ;p
Beautiful quilt. Thanks for the tip on the bias binding. I do make it sometimes, but a different method that I have to keep joining with seams. A pain in the buttuzi. I’ll try it this way next time.
Beautiful quilt. Thanks for the tip on the bias binding. I do make it sometimes, but a different method that I have to keep joining with seams. A pain in the buttuzi. I’ll try it this way next time.
Beautiful quilt. Thanks for the tip on the bias binding. I do make it sometimes, but a different method that I have to keep joining with seams. A pain in the buttuzi. I’ll try it this way next time.
I too love the look of a striped fabric cut on the bias for binding. Your lovely quilt will be even lovelier with that addition!
I too love the look of a striped fabric cut on the bias for binding. Your lovely quilt will be even lovelier with that addition!
I too love the look of a striped fabric cut on the bias for binding. Your lovely quilt will be even lovelier with that addition!
Love your wall hanging! I plan on seeing if I can find that handy dandy book. I need one desperately as this girl’s math leaves a lot to be desired. This is fun seeing what you always come up with!
Love your wall hanging! I plan on seeing if I can find that handy dandy book. I need one desperately as this girl’s math leaves a lot to be desired. This is fun seeing what you always come up with!
Love your wall hanging! I plan on seeing if I can find that handy dandy book. I need one desperately as this girl’s math leaves a lot to be desired. This is fun seeing what you always come up with!
Your Fig Tree quilt looks amazing! I would keep it for myself if I were you because you have a special memory with it and I think that’s what quilting is about too: about making memeories.
Bias binding and me? Arrg, not so much. And honestly if I really need to bias bind something I just buy the bias binding!
BTW are you interested in a smaller version of Miss Rosie’s Village pattern? I’ve written one and Carrie (she a sweetheart isn’t she?) give me permission to share it. Justsend me an email.
Your Fig Tree quilt looks amazing! I would keep it for myself if I were you because you have a special memory with it and I think that’s what quilting is about too: about making memeories.
Bias binding and me? Arrg, not so much. And honestly if I really need to bias bind something I just buy the bias binding!
BTW are you interested in a smaller version of Miss Rosie’s Village pattern? I’ve written one and Carrie (she a sweetheart isn’t she?) give me permission to share it. Justsend me an email.
Your Fig Tree quilt looks amazing! I would keep it for myself if I were you because you have a special memory with it and I think that’s what quilting is about too: about making memeories.
Bias binding and me? Arrg, not so much. And honestly if I really need to bias bind something I just buy the bias binding!
BTW are you interested in a smaller version of Miss Rosie’s Village pattern? I’ve written one and Carrie (she a sweetheart isn’t she?) give me permission to share it. Justsend me an email.
Gorgeous quilt, I envy the lucky recipient. I almost always bind with bias binding. Once you’ve done it a few times, it comes more naturally.
Gorgeous quilt, I envy the lucky recipient. I almost always bind with bias binding. Once you’ve done it a few times, it comes more naturally.
Gorgeous quilt, I envy the lucky recipient. I almost always bind with bias binding. Once you’ve done it a few times, it comes more naturally.
Beautiful quilt! If you can use straight-grain binding on any of your quilts, try Susie’s Magic Binding on Youtube. I’ve been using that on all my charity quilts,and love the results I’m getting, plus much faster since nice it’s all by machine.
Beautiful quilt! If you can use straight-grain binding on any of your quilts, try Susie’s Magic Binding on Youtube. I’ve been using that on all my charity quilts,and love the results I’m getting, plus much faster since nice it’s all by machine.
Beautiful quilt! If you can use straight-grain binding on any of your quilts, try Susie’s Magic Binding on Youtube. I’ve been using that on all my charity quilts,and love the results I’m getting, plus much faster since nice it’s all by machine.
I wish I was the family member receiving this quilt!
I wish I was the family member receiving this quilt!
I wish I was the family member receiving this quilt!
Such perfect fabric for binding your lovely quilt!
Such perfect fabric for binding your lovely quilt!
Such perfect fabric for binding your lovely quilt!