Binding my way Lesson 2

Here is the rest of the binding tutorial. I HAVE tried sewing all of the binding by machine. I didn't NOT like the result. Could be I just needed practice...also could be I didn't want to! I enjoy the hand stitching...its just about the only hand stitching I do...

Turn the binding to the back and pin. I usually use my small applique pins. I rarely get my thread caught in them. I pin about 10 or so and move them as I pass them by or when I rethread my needle.



I like to use a straw needle. I think this is a 9. It is a long skinny needle. Pretty small eye, but I wear glasses and have little problem threading it. I use thread to match the binding. (in this case the binding matches the border! I used the rest of the thread in the last bobbin from machine quilting
Bring your needle up from behind the binding. You will go back down right next to it...

traveling thru the quilt to the next stitch... where you come out and nip a bit of the binding...
leaving just a small stitch. If I use a finer thread, sometimes it just disappears. Silk thread is lovely!
When you come to a corner...try it both ways. fold it out, leaving the 45 degree angle.


Fold up the other side.


now try it folding the side first.
Now fold in the bottom. It always amazes me that one side ALWAYS folds in perfectly and lies flatter. If you are showing your quilt? Be sure to stitch down the miters on both sides. Judges DO look! On the only quilt I put in a show, I was in a hurry to get to the drop off place. I had sewn all the miters on one side..but only ONE miter on the other. I got a comment saying "miter corners sewn down" GEE I bit THAT bullet didn't I????



Tomorrow I will show you pictures of this quilt. Can you see where I had to pull out some quilting stitches? Batik leaves a hole until its washed. I guess this one is destined for the washing machine before it gets delivered! Sweet dreams....