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

Change of Pace!

After I finished the Women of Courage quilt the other day, I need a little change of pace with some quilting.  So, I have basted the Snow Happens Embroidery Project, and quilted it on my Janome 7700.  I had not done that in over a year now. 

It was fun to play and see how much quilting is so much different from my longarm.  With the longarm, I'm standing and I have a better view of what moves I want to do next, on the sewing machine you have to bend over or take the project from under the needle to see where you need to go next.  I especially missed my stitch regulator that is on my longarm, put I like the practice with out it also. 

I used some scrap Quilters Dream Poly Batting in the sandwich, and Fill-tech thread in the machine.  The thread was a sample and was perfect for this project it, due to the thread has a gloss to is so the stitching stand out.  The only thing, I was have trouble with the would break easy then I would find a bulky seam area. 

I think I will have to do this more with some small projects that need to be quilted so I stay in practice.

So, Today I will be working on two Bindings and labels for the Women of Courage Quilt and this one.  But first I need to get some cleaning done so I can use the ironing board.

Have a Great Weekend and Quilting Day!

Tina

Women of Courage Finished!

After 4 days of quilting I have finished my Women of Courage Quilt.  I wasn't sure how I would like the quilting on it, but I think I really like the final product.  So Tell me what you think in the comments section below these pictures. 





































Hope you all like my quilt! 

If you have a quilt that needs to finished, please check out my quilt finishing services.  I do have a special for the month of March on all Pantograph orders over $150 will receive 10% off their final price!
Tina

 

Quilt Show Weekend Part 2!

Today, is more of the fantastic quilts that were at the Virginia Quilt Show in Hampton, Virginia this year. 

Let's start with "Jingle Bells"!  This was by a lady in Tulalip, Washington!  Actually, we saw a lot of quilt that were from the west coast.   I really liked the applique details in the quilt especially the background.  The quilting details in the horses and the sky was also fabulous.






























































Here are a few more quilts that are on my top of my favorite quilt list at the show. 














Well time to get working on my Women of Courage quilt again today, the weather is to cold to go outside.  I will have a full update on my progress on the quilt tomorrow. 


Stay warm and Happy Quilting everyone!

Tina

If you would like to see my progress on the quilt, please follow us either on Facebook or Twitter.

Quilt Show Weekend Part 1!

This weekend was our annual trip to Hampton, Virginia for the Virginia Quilt Show at the Hampton Coliseum and Convention Center.  This is one of my favorite quilt show and the other is the Lancaster Quilt Show, but I will not be able to attend this year.
The Show always have a great showing of beautiful Quilts on display. Today, I will show off my two favorite quilts at the Show.  Both were made by Cathy Wiggins. Last year, she made the Carousel Horses Quilt.   First is the "Oscar A Dragon's Tale".  The quilt looks a book cover with dragon faces quilted in the spine, and different Images of the dragon also quilted in the background behind the dragon.  She also made the quilt book cover look like it was made with linen finish.
This whole quilt was beautifully done, even the image of Oscar.  I really liked how she quilted him to make make his scales on him.
The next quilt was also made by Cathy.  this one is called "Fairy Garden" it has 300 hour of hand embroidery and beading on it.  The picture is painted, but It also have beautiful quilting on it also.  The detail she did on the fairy's and the flowers are just amazing.
























I hope you enjoyed the pictures I have posted of these two quilts.  These pictures don't do the quilt the justice they need.  They were amazing quilts to see in person.

I will talk to you all tomorrow with more amazing quilts.  A Quilt show is what everyone needs to get inspired to get quilting again.  So, time to get quilting again on this Women of Courage quilt.

Happy Sewing and Quilting, Plus safe and warm in the east coast!

Tina