Quilt Talk - Making Fast Easy Strip Binding!

Over the last 23 weeks, I have been doing a Facebook Live Series called "Quilt Talk Tuesday."  The show airs on the Quilting Affection Designs Facebook Page every Tuesdays at 2:30 pm.  In the last 13 episodes, I have been discussing Quilting Basics 101, starting from the beginning on terminology, pattern reading, seam allowances and we are coming to the end with making strip binding. You can catch up on all the episodes, Here.

So you can catch up on this week’s episode on Making Strip Binding.

This week talked about Continues Binding.  In the video, I demonstrated how easy it is to make the Continues Binding for your quilt.

The first step in making binding is to measure out your quilt.  Once you have the measurements, you can then use math, by adding the measurements of all four sides of your quilt top and adding 12" for seams, corners, and finishing.  After you have the total measurements, divide by 42" to determine the number of strips you will need.

Or you can use a fantastic Free tool called the Quilter’s Calculator, There are two ways you can access the Quilter’s Calculator. This handy tool helps you figure out your backing, batting, binding yardages and so much more.  I absolutely love this app and use it all the time.

First, through the Quilters Paradise Quilters calculator found Here, which you can access through your web browser.

If you prefer to have handy access like I do you can get the App through a download from the Apple Store, Google Play, or Amazon App Store. You can get more information by clicking Here. 

I use the Quilter’s Calculator to help me determine how much yardage and how many strips of 2 1/2" strips of fabric I need for my binding.

Once you have all your strips prepared it’s time to get ready to stitch them together.

Place one strip with the right sides facing up and then place another strip with the right side facing down, putting it on the other strip that is on the mat so they will make an "L" shape. On the mat.  You may want to overlap them about 1/4".

Taking a marking pencil and a ruler, you will want to draw a diagonal line.  To do this place the ruler on the strips, align the ruler so that it will match the points where the strips intersect, once the ruler is placed draw a diagonal line with your marking pencil.

Next, you will pin your intersection together, for sewing.

You will continue this process until you have all the strips pined together.  Then take your pinned strips to your sewing machine and stitch on the diagonal lines that you have drawn on your strips.

Next, lay one of your now stitched strips on your cutting mat and trim the excess fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance.

Remember to trim the dog ears also.

Now, you will need to press all the seam allowances open.

Finally, starting at the end of your binding you will fold it in half long ways and press until you get to the other end. 

You have now completed your binding, and it is ready to be sewn on your quilted quilt top, which we will be covering next week. 

Tina
"Designing to Inspire"

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Regular Double Fold Binding Tutorial

Friday, I made the binding for 2 of my quilts the Women of Courage and the "Snow Happens" table runner.  I made both binding with 2 different slightly techniques.  The Women of Courage was a bias binding and the Snow Happens was a regular double folded binding. 

I would like to show you how I made and sewed on the regular double folded binding to the table runner.  First off you need to determine the amount of binding you need to completely sew around the quilt top.  I use a QuiltCalc App on my smartphone device to determine the amount of strips I need.  Another Calculator, for those of you who do not have a smartphone device the calculator on the Quilter's Paradise Website is just like the app, located here http://www.quiltersparadiseesc.com/Calculators/Binding%20Calculator.php. I will be adding this website to my website also under the links section.

For my little quilt I needed 4-2 1/2" strips cut the width of the fabric.

Then you take 2 strips lay them right sides together so that the edges over lap each a little over 1/4".  Then draw a diagonal line across that goes down the middle of where the two pieces meet and sew on the line like in the photo below.  Continue sewing all the pieces like this until you have all the joined together and have a long piece of fabric.



Next you want to lay the pieces on the cutting board and trim off the excess.  Cut the binding 1/4" from the sewing line on all the pieces that were joined together. 

Once all the trimming is done then press all the seams open. Photo Below!



Then staying at the ironing board, start at one of the ends and fold the binding in half and press to get a crisp fold.



When finished with press the binding in half, you will set the binding aside for a moment.  Laying out with the top facing up and deciding where you would like to have the binding start and end.  I usually start at the bottom of the quilt top.  Once you find where you would like to start and end you need to measure a 12" opening marking them with a marking tool or with pins.



Once you have the opening marked, you need to take one of the ends of the binding you made and measure 10" from the end and mark like you did with the quilt, either Marking tool or with pins. 



Then place the binding on the quilt top, lining up the 10" tail mark with the starting mark of the quilt and pinning them together.


Then take everything to the sewing machine.  You will be sewing the binding on with a 1/4" seam allowance.  I recommend using a walking foot to sew the binding on the quilt, it makes it easier to sew on through all the bulk.  Starting at the pin that joins the binding to the quilt, start with a couple stitches and then back stitch back to the pin to secure the opening. 


Then sew the straight side until you reach 1/4" from the end of the side and then back stitch and remove the quilt. 


Turn the quilt so the next side will be facing the walking foot but not under the foot yet.  Then laying the binding that is lays straight above the quilt to make a 45 degree angle.


Then with your fingers hold that angle and then fold the binding back down over the the angle and pin in place.


Sew down the side like you did on when you first start, remembering to secure the beginning stitches.  Continue down the side until 1/4" from the end and turn and do each corner the same.  On the last side stop and secure the stitches at the stopping mark that you made earlier. 



Now you need to join the binding.  I use the binding tool, which is a very useful tool to have in collection.

 
Using the tool is very easy, the instructions are on the tool if you forget how to use it.  Just remember the writing is all ways on top when working with it.  Lay the tool with the writing up under the binding butting the straight end to the secure seam. Once lined up just mark with at marking tool the line that says mark here and do this on both sides just flipping the tool to the other side (remember writing always up).  Make sure you mark the lines it is very important for the next step.



Next, starting the right side binding by opening the binding open. Then lay the binding tool lay the tool again with the writing side up on top of the line you marked and using your rotatory cutter cut around the angle end and making sure to cut off the tip.  See below!





On the left side you need to the same, except you will be lining up the binding tool just under marked line, this is where you will be cutting.





Once both sides are cut lay the right sides together and sew them together.  Then finger press the seams open and fold.




Then starting just before ending stitches finish sewing the the 12" opening to the quilt, remembering to secure the stitches.




Now you have completing sewing the binding on to the top.  I then use the wonder clips to flip the binding to the back of the quilt to hand stitch the binding to the backing.



I hope this tutorial was help to you and if you have any question please comment below.

Happy Quilting,

Tina

Busy Weekend and another Quilt Top Finished!

This weekend was full of making bindings, labels, preparing quilt backs, and finishing Quilt tops.  On Friday, I spent the day make 4 bindings and labels for quilts that need to be quilted or already done, just need to sew them on them now.  

On Saturday, I finished the last 4 block for the Cardinal in the Pines Quilt Top and finished the main part of the top.  I also added the first of borders to the top.

On Sunday, I prepared Outer border fabric for the quilt top by cutting the fabric down into 4 strips.

I mitered all the border corners so the fabric flows all around the Quilt top like a frame.  

I also prepared the backing for this quilt top, and I'm working on the backing for the Summer Solitude today.  I will be making the binding and label for this one also today, while I wait for the black batting to arrive today.  Then I will be quilting away!

Tina

Busy Weekend and another Quilt Top Finished!

This weekend was full of making bindings, labels, preparing quilt backs, and finishing Quilt tops.  On Friday, I spent the day make 4 bindings and labels for quilts that need to be quilted or already done, just need to sew them on them now.  

On Saturday, I finished the last 4 block for the Cardinal in the Pines Quilt Top and finished the main part of the top.  I also added the first of borders to the top.

On Sunday, I prepared Outer border fabric for the quilt top by cutting the fabric down into 4 strips.

I mitered all the border corners so the fabric flows all around the Quilt top like a frame.  

I also prepared the backing for this quilt top, and I'm working on the backing for the Summer Solitude today.  I will be making the binding and label for this one also today, while I wait for the black batting to arrive today.  Then I will be quilting away!

Tina

Binding Day!

Yesterday I finished working on quilting the "Star Wars" Rail Fence Quilt Top.  All the quilting on this quilt was done with rulers.  I think it came out really nice.  So today, I prepared bindings for 3 different quilts.  Two of the binding went on the quilt tops today, one for the Rail Fence quilt top and the other for the Wine Bottle Wall hanging.  Just need to finish binding to the back of the quilts now.  The other binding is for the Meadow Friends layer cake quilt top, which will be on the long arm in the next day or so.  

 

Also, made a trip to Materials Girls Quilt Shop, and picked up fabrics for a new quilt project, I'm going to start probably tomorrow.  I will showing you more as I get started.  but here is a sneak peek of the fabrics, I'm going to be using.   So Stay Tuned!


Tina

Binding Day!

Yesterday I finished working on quilting the "Star Wars" Rail Fence Quilt Top.  All the quilting on this quilt was done with rulers.  I think it came out really nice.  So today, I prepared bindings for 3 different quilts.  Two of the binding went on the quilt tops today, one for the Rail Fence quilt top and the other for the Wine Bottle Wall hanging.  Just need to finish binding to the back of the quilts now.  The other binding is for the Meadow Friends layer cake quilt top, which will be on the long arm in the next day or so.  

 

Also, made a trip to Materials Girls Quilt Shop, and picked up fabrics for a new quilt project, I'm going to start probably tomorrow.  I will showing you more as I get started.  but here is a sneak peek of the fabrics, I'm going to be using.   So Stay Tuned!


Tina