As in binding your quilt. :-)
This blog post was prompted by a recent lengthy conversation with Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co fame about bindings and such.
The next picture will show my preferred method...
I start in the center on a long side of the quilt - this way when I turn that final fourth corner I know that the end is near. teehee!!! I use binding clips but will only clip along that long side and around the first corner; after I turn the first corner I stop and clip again to the next corner (it's a silly game I play with myself). I hold the quilt like you see in the picture working from right to left (you'll notice my parked needled ready to go again). By the way, I cut my binding strips 2" wide and I like to use a Sharp needle with a single strand of thread.
edit: I failed to mention that I always stitch down my mitered corners (front and back)
Some prefer the method shown in the next picture.
So, what's your preferred method? I'd love it if you'd share your binding secrets!I was chatting with Carrie to thank her for the package of goodness that arrived in my mailbox. Look at all those goodies she shared with me. All of her latest Schnibbles patterns, an adorable mini journal titled "What I Made" and one of her Tuffets. Oh, it pained me to remove the black ribbon (the patterns looked so cute all tied up), I took the Tuffet out of the bag and it now resides by my sewing machine and I wrote a few notes in my cute journal. Carrie, thank you so much for you!
Thank you for stopping by and please leave comment about your bindings and such!In Friendship!
35 comments:
Well, you know how you don't want the big bump on the same side; front to back? I do the flat corner on all four corners first and stitch till that thread runs out. Then when I clip the rest one side at a time I'm only folsing one part of the corner, not tryibg to straighten both out at once.
I don't use those clips. Sorry Speedy, I hate them. But I do start in the middle of a long side and on that last corner it is the home stretch! I use a single pin that holds the binding to the back about 4 inches away from where I'm stitching and as I get to the pin with my stitching I move it another few inches and keep going to the corner. When I get to the corner I am able to manipulate my corner by hand and do have the pin just an inch or so away from corner on next side of quilt to be stitched while I work the corner. This works for me. The single thread doesn't get caught up in those clips etc. Another thing alot of quilters forget about is when they work on the corner don't forget to take an extra stitch or two on the miter fold of the corner to secure the corner....especially holds true if you plan to enter your quilt in a show. (which I DO NOT do!) LOL I do not need the quilt police looking over my work. If I'm happy with it....it deserves my own ribbon of approval!
I used to use the hair clips that look similar to those, but I found they got in the way. I will start it with the clips, and I usually start at the bottom abt 6" from the corner. Since the majority of quilts I do are for kids, I end up with corners that are a bit over kill in the stitches, but I KNOW they will stay. Once I get thru where the clips were, I usually just put one or two ahead, and eventually not use them at all!
I don't use the clips either. I have them,but have never used them. I don't usually do large quilts. Most of the time they are lap or wall size. I start at the center bottom (I don't know why) and pin a few inches ahead of my stitching. When I catch up I pin a few inches more. I cut my fabric 2" also. I am going to check back and see what others do. An interesting post. Thanks.
I try to do it your way most of the time, but it seems old habits die hard and I find myself holding the quilt the way you are showing in the second photo. I use clips as well...using all the clips in the bin and putting them back as I get past them. Once I stop stitching, I add clips at the end till I've reached my starting point. Clear as mud? I used to cut my binding at 2 1/2" but switched to 2 1/4" several years ago...might have to try the 2" cut next time. As long as it stuffs my binding nice and tight, I am not stitched in stone on the size of the binding.
Maybe I am dumb but I pin my binding in place. Just an ole pinner, I guess.
I don't clip - just use my fingers to keep hold of what's just before me. I start pretty close (a couple of inches) from what will become the last corner.
When I get to a corner, I make the fold so that it is opposing the one on the front. They just nest together like happy little friends and don't leave a bulge of doubled binding.
I love binding - it's my favorite step in quilt making!
I did a binding tutorial a while back. It's on my side bar. My preferred method is using straight pins so I can poke myself, bleed, and swear. Why oh why have I NOT purchased these binding clips yet? I start on the longest side almost to the corner.
Darlene - I actually do my binding the same way as you - and thanks to a great email from Miss Carrie, she gave me the tip of stiching down the front of the miter as well! Love the cherry fabric backing!
Cheers!
I do binding almost the same way as you except I use straight pins instead of the clips. I also start in the middle of a long side and use a single strand of thread. I cut my bindings at 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 inches wide. I enjoy sewing on binding because it means another project is done.
Lately , I have been using Fons & Porters binding tool and doing it that way. I do not use clips or pins when doing the hand sewing part.
You must have been a very good girl to get all those new patterns!
Whoa, that's your ME quilt all done being quilted???? I'm in awe :) I am slow but I don't see the difference in the 2 binding pictures? Please 'splain :) You are one lucky girl getting all those goodies!! That is one mighty big stack of patterns, very generous!
O.k. never mind I get it lol!! I didn't realize you were talking about the direction of the quilt...I thought it was like a completely different method of binding and I just couldn't see it...see I told you I'm slow LOL!!!
Sorry but I use Elmer's Washable School Glue. Learned that from Sharon Schamber ... if you're interested she has a YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=AAF390EBC02BDD33
So I never ever have to worry about pins, clips or anything else.
I only use bias binding for all my quilts that I made myself.
I love to bind! My fabric is also cut to 2 inches and I use clips. Love the clips! I start about the middle of one side, but only use two or three clips, spaced about a inch apart. Advancing them as I go. I use a straight pin at the mitered corners and do some extra stitching to secure them.
I don't use clips either, I start in the middle of the long edge and hold and sew as I go. For big quilts I cut 2 1/2" and for little quilts I cut the binding 1 1/4" and do the single fold method. When I'm doing the single fold method, I pin all the way around. Never tried the clips so don't know if I'm missing anything. I just bought the Tuffet pattern and I love it!
Oh you lucky girl! Love your surprise! I am a fusible thread girl to hold the binding down while I hand sew it down. I did a demo of it on my blog a ways back if your interested.
Didn´t even think of how many different ways to bind a quilt...:o)...
I too start on a long side... use some clips that I move when I come closer...but mostly I fold with my fingers...take a few extra stitches in the corner...and continue...happy as ever...you know ...one corner done... etc..:o) And I sew from right to left...and have my quilt in my lap when I do the stitching... picture 2...but I dont get the sewing direction on your picture..:o)
how lucky are you missy????
Love that notebook is that designed by her?
I need to find one of those!!!!
cute tuffet I am so lucky to own one of hers too.
great patterns I will be making a few of these too
kathie
Hey Darlene,
I use those clips but I only use about 4-5 and just move them as I go along. I use a 2 1/2" binding sometimes 2 1/4" and I am probably a bad quilter because I don't always stitch the fron of the corners down.
I use a tool by Creative Grids--Angle Finder. You don't put your binding on in one continuous strip, but rather individually by sides. Cut the length about two inches longer. Sew each side. and then put the edges together almost like a mitered border. The tool allows you to not only have perfect miters, but the corners do not have open ends---they are all closed. I know I am not explaining it correctly--but I love it!!! If you get a chance I would suggest you try it.
You do have to sew the remainder of the binding down and I use the clips for that---love them. No more lose pins or scratched legs.
Love your Blog!
Patricia
I always start in the middle as well and use pins for holding the binding down, but I only pin about 18 inches of binding at a time. I love that part of quilting - it's close to the end and a relaxing thing to do - but then I love handwork. I also love doing the corners, LOL. I find it my challenge to make them perfectly mitered and always stitch them down as well, but only in the back - hmmm now I will have to do the front as well - thanks, LOL. What a great box of goodies you received in the mail - YUMMMM.
Hugs - karen
Well I can't add anything new. I used to clip the whole thing, then figured out it just wasn't needed. Now I clip about 12 to 15 clips and just take 5 or so off as I sew then stop and add them to the end of the line. Keeps just enough neatly folded over. I also keep the first one in where the sewing started so that beginning seam isn't strained against the fabric.
I do fold my corners the opposite of what you might do. Like coming up to a corner...I don't fold down the first corner then the top section because the front has the bulk on that side, so I come towards the corner and fold down the top first and hold it...then fold over the side and pin. I think this is what Libby explained. It make the front have the bulk on one side and the back have the bulk on the opposite side.
Was that clear as mud? I also use double fold bindings except for small quilts and cut at 2 3/8th. Lately I've been machine sewing the ones for the smaller wall quilts. I can get right into the seam edge and the back is sewn perfectly to just catch the edge of the binding.
I put one pin in each miter and use just one clip (or none) as I sew along in the same direction you do. I could never see the point of using more than one clip. I never close the clip either. :-)
I sew the miter closed on big quilts but don't always bother on little things.
I do it like you do...I clip a whole side at a time and then I have a little celebration...I'm a 1/4th of the way done...I'm 1/2 done and so on...a little game I play. What a wonderful package you got from Carrie.
I've seen those clips around but I keep forgetting to try them. I bind just like you do in your first example, but with straight pins instead of clips.
I saw a video on QNNTV.com where the the quilter used basting glue to secure the binding first, including the mitered corners. The bottle of glue she used had a very long, narrow "spout", and the technique appeared to work quite well. She ditch stitched on the front, and because the glue held the binding down perfectly (no waves)right over the previous stitching line in the back, her ditch-stitching lined up perfectly on the edge of the binding in the back. I have used the clips, but find them annoying, and will try the basting glue next time.
I do my binding basically the same way - 2" strips because I like 1/4" bindings, sew down on the front by machine, then hand sew down the back. I sew down my miters in the back only, because I'm lazy and it hasn't caused any problems as of yet, but I do sew the finish/start little pocket fold (what is that called anyhow?!) down front and back. I don't use clips though, just a pin for the first couple of inches, usually where I started/finished with the machine sewing - because that's my least favorite part of bindings so I try to get it done first! :)
For binding I always use 2 1/2" strips. I use the Fons and Porter Binding Tool, it's great I love it. I'm a pinner, I know lots of people like those clips that look like hair clips but I still use pins. I love your gifts from Carrie, your so lucky.
To tell you the truth, I don't see a big difference in the two photos. My preferred method of binding is to hand it to one of my two friends and say, "Bind this for me, please?"
Binding clips are nice because I can also use them in my hair.
What a wonderful package! I use the hair clips at times, and sew the miters closed. I have tried just single fold binding lately, and it adds much less bulk to the finished project.
Hi Darlene,
I do my binding similar - but I don't have those clips. Instead I press the binding (to ease stitching it down on the back) and then pin as long as I have pins left.
I wondered if the binding clips are the same I used to have for my hair when I was a child? I asked Carrie on her blog but haven't got an answer yet {haven't seen those binding clips in a shop in my area...}.
The package you got from Carrie is gorgeous ~ have fun with it! I recently ordered the Tuffets pattern & can't wait to play with it!
Hugs, Julia
I do it almost the way you do, 2 or 2.25 inches using a sharp needle and single thread. I use eight clips and then reclip when I get to the last one. Why eight? I dunno! LOL. I stitch right to left if I'm stitching right-handed, and left to right when I'm doing it with my left hand. Good discussion, Darlene!
I love binding quilts. I have several ways depending on the size but mostly like you show. I have never mastered the technique of sewing the binding at the ends in a diagnonal. I straight stitch it. No matter what I never get the diagonal way right. Carrie is a sweetie.
Hullo! I had a bit of time, so I thought I'd stop by one of my fave bloggers and her blog! Love the goodies from Carrie - I'm gonna buy that Tuffets pattern for sure!
I don't use the clips, I pin about half a side and as I start to catch up, I start pinning a bit ahead again. I have never thought to stitch down both sides of the miter - that's very smart. I have no secrets to binding - wish I did!
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