I hate binding quilts. I'd rather go to the dentist than bind a quilt (and that's saying something!).
I love the look of hand-bound quilts but hate the time it takes. Machine binding is faster, but I'm not thrilled with the look. I am not giving up, so I'm willing to keep trying.
I pulled out my quilted Halloween top and decided to give it a whirl. I read Pat Sloan's directions for machine binding and adapted them to my preferred binding width.
I prepared my binding as usual, but stitched the binding to the back of the quilt:
Since I use a straight-stitch machine for piecing and wanted a decorative stitch for the binding, I switched to my lovely Stitch 710 machine. I clipped the binding to the front of the quilt, set a blanket stitch, and started stitching the binding to the quilt:
See how pretty it looks?
I'm mostly pleased with the binding on the back of this quilt:
I will try this again. I'm pleased with the thread matching the backing of the quilt and will repeat that, but I might try a different color on the front next time.
Do you machine bind? What method do you use?
I love the look of hand-bound quilts but hate the time it takes. Machine binding is faster, but I'm not thrilled with the look. I am not giving up, so I'm willing to keep trying.
I pulled out my quilted Halloween top and decided to give it a whirl. I read Pat Sloan's directions for machine binding and adapted them to my preferred binding width.
I prepared my binding as usual, but stitched the binding to the back of the quilt:
Since I use a straight-stitch machine for piecing and wanted a decorative stitch for the binding, I switched to my lovely Stitch 710 machine. I clipped the binding to the front of the quilt, set a blanket stitch, and started stitching the binding to the quilt:
See how pretty it looks?
I'm mostly pleased with the binding on the back of this quilt:
I will try this again. I'm pleased with the thread matching the backing of the quilt and will repeat that, but I might try a different color on the front next time.
Do you machine bind? What method do you use?
10 comments:
I machine bind all the time. I use a glue stick, ( school one). to hold my binding down, along with wonder clips. That way my blanket stitch is lined up with the seam on the back. I also use my serpentine stitch, adjusting the width and length.... I also love my edge stitch foot when I do straight stitch. Don't give up you just need to find your way, :). Become one with your machine!
I have kind of switched over to the machine binding side, but I like to use the flange binding method. I just love how the little flange can add an extra pop of color to a quilt. So I figure if I'm going to machine bind, that little extra zing makes up for it.
I don't machine bind......yet. You have piqued my curiosity, and I may well give it a try!!
I do mostly machine bindings as I want my quilts done and I don't quilt for shows. I may try that stitch again. I generally just use a straight stitch. Have you looked at the two color binding? It is done all by machine and looks fabulous. I haven't done it yet though! Google it for directions.
I love finishing off bindings with a machine decorative stitch. It adds additional creativity to the design of the quilt. Have fun exploring!
I machine stitch most of my quilts. I stitch the binding to the back or I fold the backing around to the front and use a three step zig zag stitch. I really like the look of the blanket stitch. I didn't think of that. Thank you!
When I machine bind a quilt, I use the method that I have heard called Suzy's Magic Binding. You use two fabrics for the binding and cut them narrower than normal, but one 1/4 wider than the other. Then sew them together lengthwise. Fold them in half, and 1/8 of an inch of the second fabric shows on the front. Then you sew the binding to the back, fold it over and stitch in the ditch between the two binding fabrics. It makes it look like you have a flange on the front, and it looks very nice on the back, too.
I also machine bind my quilts and use Elmer's glue stick and Wonder clips. I have recently been using the blanket stitch but the back doesn't look as nice as when I use a decorative stitch that has a symmetrical design to it. I would only consider hand binding if I were planning to enter it in an exhibit. If I machine quilt it, why should I not machine bind it? LOL
Pam
pearbour@gmail.com
I like this technique to sew the binding with it folding to the front. I have used other decorative stitches with success. You did a great job with yours.
I've been wanting to try Pat Sloan's binding technique, but my walking foot says not to do the blanket stitch with it. But it looks like you just used a regular foot?
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