Pages

Monday, February 6, 2012

2012 First Finish

 My first finish for 2012.  This quilt is a BOM  from Stitch 'N Quilt a local shop that has been closed for several years.
The blocks were made in 2005 and forgotten about, but since joining Sew It's Finished I have been going through my UFO's to see what I have and I discovered this one.  It was called Sunday Sampler because you picked up your block on Sunday afternoon.  The first block was $5 but if you brought your block in completed the next month your block was free.

This past week I added the corners and the black sashing put on the borders and quilted it.  When I was ready to do the binding I decided to try something different.  Instead of doing all that sewing by hand I added a machine sewn binding.



First I cut my binding 2 1/4 inches wide.  I like to use bias binding when I have enough fabric.  After joining the ends and pressing I sewed it to the back of the quilt instead of the front just like I would do if I planed on sewing it down by hand only  the back instead of the front.


When I came to a corner I just mitered it like I normally would and kept sewing and sewing until I came to the end.

This is the way I join my ends.  First I measure 2 1/4 inches from the end of the binding strip on the left.  
The exact width of my binding.  If my binding was 2 1/2 inches I would measure that amount.  Then I overlap the strip on the right and cut it at the mark.  I hope the picture shows better than I  explain.

 I  lay the strip on the left---right side up and place the strip on the right wrong side up on top of it.  Mark from corner to corner and stitch on this line.  If you click on the pictures they should enlarge.  Don't be tempted to add a little to your measurement because it won't fit if you do.














Trim to 1/4" and sew the binding  to the quilt.


 Turn your quilt to the right side and sew the binding down.  I used my little foot with an edge guide to help keep my stitching straight. I also backstitched a couple of stitches in the corners just to be sure they were secure.
You can see  some stitching on the back of the quilt and I wouldn't use this method for all my quilts mostly just what I call draggers.
It is much faster a lot less stress on my hands and I have a finished quilt.

Happy stitching,
Nancy

17 comments:

  1. That is a really sparkly quilt! It is a notch above the ordinary quilt shop monthly sampler! I also do some bindings by machine, depending on the quilt and the recipient. I always do it for children's quilts because it is sturdier.

    ReplyDelete
  2. WOW! I love this quilt and all the bright colors!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi - I popped over from Sew Its Finished - love the colours in your quilt and your blog header - I can see you are not a soft & pretty fancier! And a fantastic mini tutorial on binding - I only recently discovered that overlapping bit - it is so logical and yet for years I struggled. And I also love the tips on the machine finishing - I will be trying that - and handy hint to have the special foot. Thanks Heaps - I'll be back to visit again.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, it's so pretty and colorful! I bet it feels great to have a finished UFO!! Great tutorial on the binding, too! The machine sewn method looks very neat.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your quilt is stunning, adding those corners to each block is a great idea, I'll try that for sure, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful finish. I bet you're glad it's finished now. Thanks for sharing how you machine finish your binding.

    ReplyDelete
  7. i like it too! thanks for sharing your machine binding technique!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fabulous finish, I love the skinny dark sashing, really sets off the colors. You finish your binding the same as me, it's so easy once you get the knack of it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Terrific finish! Thanks for tip on how to finish the binding. I could never "get it" no matte how many tutorials I have read. I think this time I just might be able to get it to work.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Nancy,
    Small world, I participated in that same bom at Stitch N Quilt. I did get mine finished a couple of years ago. But I like yours much better with the black sashing and binding. Your border is great too.
    Linda J

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great tutorial on the machine sewn binding. I am going to give it a try whenever I get my machine back from the repairman. Yours looks perfect. I love your quilt...also love the term "draggers".

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love love the quilt. I have never tried the back to front method of binding. I have several friends that do. One spends (I think way to much) time on pinning the front right in the ditch of the back so when she sews it no stitches are ever seen. She still claims it is faster than by hand. Maybe she is right and maybe I should just try this. Thanks for such a great tut on it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That quilt really caught my eye. Love the bright colours. Great tutorial on the binding. Thanks, M

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you for Nice information.
    Lakshmielectro

    ReplyDelete
  16. I always overlap when ending and it is so bulky. I can't wait to try this way! Stupid question........do you end the same way when sewing from the front and hand stitching down? I'm a long time quilter but have never mastered ending the binding!! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I never thought of using actual "bias" binding looks like a good way and from now on mine will be bias cut and 2 1/" wide :-) Thank you for this tutorial

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for stoping by and taking the time to leave a comment!
I truly enjoy reading your comments.

Because of the recent uptake in spam I am no longer allowing anonymous comments. If you want to comment feel free to send me an email as I would love to hear from you!