CHQ QAL - Binding the quilt (3 weeks late)

Hello my friends!

So sorry for getting off track with the quilt along. There is definitely something wrong with my head, I've had these incredible headaches going on for four weeks - ridiculous! I've had tests, I'm changing my diet-giving up diet coke :-(, now to await the results. I know Julie was so sweet to share her binding tutorial, and many of you are finished with your quilts already - awesome work by way! I thought I would share some of my thoughts on binding, what I do, and what works for me.

First of all, I like a really really narrow binding - I cut all my binding 2" wide. Does anyone else cut it this narrow? The biggest reason is that I like the look, it looks like a thin frame to me. A second reason is that I often do not add a border, so using a narrow binding, attached with the 1/4 presser foot doesn't take away anything from the outer blocks - nothing gets cut off. Otherwise, I think I bind like the rest of the quilting world, nothing exceptional there. What is different (I believe) is how I join my ends, I will share that with you!

 
I've tried every trick under the sun for joining my binding ends, I wasn't happy with any of them. I bought the Fons & Porter tool but my dyslexic brain couldn't wrap around how to overlap the end pieces - not to save my life could I get it. If it works for you, more power to you, but in desperation I came up with my own method. I hope this makes sense!

1. When starting your binding, begin to attach the binding to the quilt near a center on any side - it doesn't matter which side, leave an approximate 8" tail.
2. Sew all the way around, as usual
3. When you get back to the beginning, stop sewing about 7" from where you began, leave another approximate 8" tail.
4. Cut all the necessary threads
5. Move your quilt from your sewing machine to your ironing surface
6. Lay the unfinished binding area flat on your ironing surface
7. Bring the beginning and end strips together
8. Fold them back on themselves, so they are touching...see photo
9.  
10. Press hard, hard, hard...you really need to be able to see the creases
11.  
    Move the quilt back to your work surface
12. Open up the creased binding from the beginning and end tails
13. With right sides together, line up the creases from both tails, and place a pin in to secure
14.  
    Carefully place the strips under your presser foot, and stitch the length of the crease. Reinforce at the beginning and end of the strip.
15.  
    Trim 1/4" from the joined seam
16.  
    Press the seam allowance flat or open, your preference
17.  
    Stitch down the remaining binding, and now you are ready to bind!
18.  
    Look how neat that is, no bumps, no bulk, just another seam.
19. FYI - this process is a whole lot easier with a little quilt like this, than something massive; but it doesn't matter, it's the only method I use.
20. Bind away...by hand or machine
21. Add a label

 
Are you a hand or machine binder? I used to bind strictly by hand, until I got in the biz, and there were just too many quilts to be bound. I love hand binding, there is something very soothing about the process, but it isn't a speed sport. It reminds me of nursing a baby, slow down and enjoy the process, no one is going anywhere, very fast.

Thank you again for joining me on this quilt along! I've got a special present for 12 lucky folks...check back on Tuesday, and I'll tell you all about it...tease, I know :-)

If you would like your quilt to be featured in a show & tell, send me images of your quilt to humblequilt at yahoo dot com, and we will take a minute to show everyone what we've been up to. Be sure and send your blog link so folks can come visit you, if you like.

xoxo,

Cherri

P.S. Cool fabric on my ironing board, it's not my ironing cover, it's a project I'm working on, and I was too lazy to find a flat surface to put it on.

Comments

[Debbie]

I connect my binding ends a bit differently but I always cut my binding 2" wide....how I was taught years ago & I like it.....and I always hand-stitch the binding....I really enjoy that step. Too much to give it up....

[Sarah]

I always cut my binding 2" wide. My friends always seem surprised. I think it looks better, and the seem allowance of the quilt fills up the binding. When I cut it larger, the binding is partially flat. That looks like it won't wear well. I like hand stitching the binding. Thanks for sharing the quilt along!

[Sequana]

Perfect timing! Today is the day I'm planning to bind this little quilt. I will surely try this method, since I can never find one I like.

Once I have that done, I'll take a couple more pics and send them to you. Wait til you see the back! HA!

[Karen]

After I finished the binding I wondered if I should have made my binding narrower. I went with 2 1/2 and it seems a bit broad. This was the trial one, so I will cut narrower on the real one.

[Tracy]

I really enjoyed doing this quilt, and looking forward to seeing the new project.

[Rita C]

I'm glad to see you do a straight across seam. I always feel as though it needs to be done on the diagonal, and I end up fiddling with it for about 20 minutes each time.

[Kim]

Humble, TX -- My hometown. I lived there for 26 years (until 1996) and then again for a few months while my husband was overseas. I bet it is HUGE compared to when I was there. Sometimes I miss it, sometimes I don't.

Thanks for the tutorial!!

[Debbie-Esch House Quilts]

I love to do my bindings by hand and if I do that, I also cut mine at 2". But... since machine binding is so much faster, I've been doing it that way a bit more often. I cut my binding at 2 1/2" if I'm doing it by machine.

Sending healing thoughts your way!

[Laine]

First, I hope you are feeling better and find a solution soon!
Second, thank you so much for finishing this QAL tutorial. Your pictures are SO great, it makes it very easy for me to follow. I have made a file with all of the steps and now your great pics are replacing my not so great ones.

I can't wait for the larger size pattern to come out. My husband liked the little one so much (I made it a wall hanging) that he requested this be our new bed quilt. So, need a king size please!

Wishing you great health,

Laine

[mary]

I too hope your headache problem gets solved very soon. I had to give up caffeine as it was raising my blood pressure. I am not saying this is the cause of your headaches, but if you cut off caffeine suddenly (even if your usual daily amount is small) you will also get withdrawal headaches perhaps confusing the other situation. You have to taper off.

As to binding-- i usually cut 2.25 wide

When i have little space or short on the binding, i have finished the way you do. Otherwise i make a diagonal seam, but not quite the way in Julie's directions. I was always afraid the quilt police would get me if i did a straight seam-- but if you can do it, i can do it! Thanks!!
I sew the binding to the back by hand-- i enjoy that part, and i have an old machine that doesn't know how to do anythign fancy.

[Cherri House]

Thanks everyone for the headache support..I'll let you know what I find out when I get the results on Wednesday.

As an FYI I do join all of my binding strips on the diagonal, unless of course it's a stripe. The only seam that is straight is the seam to join the binding ends.

The quilt police can jump in the lake for all I care, I'll show them where it is ;-)

Keep sending the photos...they're great!

Cherri

[Thirza]

Aahh... is this how you should bind a quilt... I've always used bias band, machine stitched (yes, very fiddly) on both sides at the same time.... Never too late to learn!!!

[Linda]

I really like this method only I previously finger pressed and never could quite see my fold for a stitch line. IRONING. Duh. Thanks for a nudge in the right direction. Great photos! Thanks for this post!!!

[bingo-bonnie]

Cherri - take a look at this tutorial from Mo. Star Company on youTube. I had never heard of it before this year and now that I have it - I'm thinking EVERY quilter SHOULD have one!!!

You'll watch and be amazed at how easy it really can be!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex2PajesRvU

Love from Texas! ~bonnie

[laura]

nice idea! thanks for sharing. I will try this on the next one I do.

[Lyn Grenier]

Thank you for the great tutorials, patterns and help. Your work is fabulous. I use a 2.25 binding and always sew by hand, then again my completed quilt list is not huge, I just love the hand sewing process.

[laura]

Thanks so much- This is the first binding joining that has rally worked for me! Yay!

[Linda]

Thank you so much for sharing your time and talent. I really like this quilt. It is so elegant when it's finished, yet it is simple to make. It still takes all the time to make, but what a beautiful ending! Keep up the great work!

[Sarah]

I use the diagonal seam on my binding. I tried the same technique and it worked perfectly!! Thanks for sharing.

[Mary Daw]

I use this binding method, but I have never used two inches. I'll have to try it sounds like what I need thanks for the tip mary Daw in Richton Ms