I chose one of my
test quilts for Pinwheel Pizzazz to finish this week. All it needed was the
binding. I have many projects in various stages of construction, but it was
easy to pick this one. 1) It's July and this is Patriotic. 2) Because my Etsystore is new I need to add
pictures of various color pallets. 3) This is the most important reason; my
family is freezing. Apparently I keep it a bit cold in my house and they are
dying. I keep telling them, they can add more layers, they do NOT want me
taking more off! Well, now they can snuggle under a quilt. In July. In hot,
humid MN... I think they are crazy.
I
cut my binding 2" by the width of the fabric. I don't use a biased
binding. When I finish the quilt with scalloped borders sitting in my
"Needs to be quilted" bin mentioned here. I will
cut on the bias. for now, this is quick, easy and works for me.
Not
only was this quilt already quilted, it was squared up. Yeah. Just sitting here
for a few years waiting on me. Usually I mark my line, stitch my binding and
then trim off the excess fabric, but here you see that was already done. I use
my walking foot to stitch on the binding, it really helps keep it from bunching
and pulling.
Once that is
done, I get to move on to my favorite part. Hand stitching it down. I love hand
stitching. It's calm and rhythmic and you can get into a zone, or just watch
your favorite shows. And once that last stitch is taken and knotted off, you
have a beautiful quilt to cuddle under or gift.
I usually
choose a thread that matches the binding, not the backing. In this case I had
to do a two color binding, because I didn't have enough of one color to do the
whole thing. I was lucky enough to have 2 matching threads. I also usually do a
diagonal seam on my binding strips, but again not having enough fabric had me
changing up what I usually do. Not a bad thing, but that seam on top of itself
definitely makes it bulky.
And
now my family has a beautiful, warm quilt to snuggle under. They won't freeze
to death or turn into ice cubes. It was close though...
Happy Stitching!
Awesome quilt...I usually hand stitch the final binding also. I love being able to put a face to your title! In a couple of years when I retire I will do test quilts for you!!
ReplyDeleteOoo, I can't wait, Linda!!
DeleteOoo, I can't wait, Linda!!
DeleteOh it's lovely - and very satisfying to have finished it. I hand sew my binding too, it's nice to have a bit of time to really enjoy the last stage of the quilt, and I find it nice and soothing too - plus I can sit in the corner with the rest of the family and sew!
ReplyDeleteVery effective quilt! Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is outstanding!!! I love it! I'm with you on the hand stitching the binding. It's very relaxing.
ReplyDelete