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WIP Wednesday – stuck in the binding phase

It’s been a while since I’ve done a WIP (work in progress) blog post.  Right now I’m in between projects, and I thought I’d see what unfinished quilts I had to work on.  (Was that an oxymoron?)  It seems I’m stuck in the binding phase of five quilts!  Eeek!  I had no idea.

WIP Wednesday, stuck in the binding phase of five quilts!  Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

WIP Wednesday, stuck in the binding phase of five quilts!  Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

 

It might be helpful to have a project tracker to keep me in check.  I found this Quilt Project Planner at Hello Melly Designs and downloaded it yesterday.   It has space for all of the quilt stages and quilt information, along with a checklist.

Quilt Project Planner @ Hello Melly Designs
Quilt Project Planner @ Hello Melly Designs

 

I’ve actually completed the binding on the red and white quilt shown above on my sewing table.  This quilt is a new pattern that I will be debuting soon.  The next step is to photograph it.

WIP Wednesday, stuck in the binding phase of five quilts!  Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

 

Below is another version of the same (new) quilt that my sister-in-law made as a pattern tester using 30’s fabric.  It is adorable – and also needs binding.

WIP Wednesday, stuck in the binding phase of five quilts!  Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

 

With all of these quilts needing binding, I’m definitely choosing to sew them on entirely by machine.  Although I do enjoy finishing a binding by hand, I don’t have that luxury very often these days.  I’ve tried out many machine binding methods, but my current, preferred machine binding technique is to stitch the binding to the back of the quilt and then bring it to the front of the quilt and machine stitch it along the folded edge of the binding.   For more details, check out the machine binding tutorial by Katie at Swim Bike Quilt.

WIP Wednesday, stuck in the binding phase of five quilts!  Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

 

I used red, Aurifil 80 wt. cotton thread on top to match the binding, and natural white Aurifil 50 wt. cotton thread in the bobbin to match the back.  The stitches blend in with everything, and gives it a crisp, clean edge.

WIP Wednesday, stuck in the binding phase of five quilts!  Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

 

 

You know what I’ll be doing for the next few days!  Plus, I’ll be attending the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, CA, on Friday (and maybe Sunday).  Any one else going?  It’s a beautiful show with lots of quilts to inspire me and lots of vendors to indulge my creativity in (that’s code for spend my money on).

WIP Wednesday, stuck in the binding phase of five quilts!  Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

 

I hope you’re having a great, productive and happy week!

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19 Comments

  1. I adore seeing your pile of quilts! Binding is one of my favourite things to do, both by hand and by machine. Love seeing them and hear about the method you use. That red and white quilt is stunning!

  2. Love the red and white quilt!!! AND, I agree with stitching the binding to the back and bringing to the front to stitch it down by MACHINE!!!!! (Finished week 3 of SEVEN of radiation therapy!!!!!! )

  3. Hi Julie, long time since I left a comment…but I’m still following you in your busy and exciting quilt room Love your red and white quilt, I also machine bind. I find it more substantial for a quilt which is going to be well used.
    I am having a little Scottish holiday just now, trying to get some sewing/quilting done for a Christmas craft fayre…….tartan/tweed handbags is what I’m working on (slowly)…too many shopping distractions!
    Have fun at the Quilt Show……you’ll be taking an extra large shopping bag?

  4. Sometimes it takes a nudge to get that binding done…or else it piles up! Happy binding! I need to practice finishing my binding by machine a few more times before I tackle a quilt that counts. Thanks for the links, Julie, they’ll certainly come in handy. Have fun at the show!

  5. Have fun in Santa Clara! (that’s not where one of the fires is, is it?) I hope one of these days I’ll be able to go to a quilt show. They always sound like so much fun.

  6. I can’t believe I almost missed that quilt show. So glad you mentioned it! Sometimes there’s a local bus going from ASG or some other group, but I haven’t heard of one. I guess I’m on my own. Long drive!

  7. Hello Julie…I’m a novice in quilting and always watching tutorials…I watched a tutorial of you hand binding a rug mug and said I can do that (I hemed my four brothers back to school pants back in the days )…I quilted a table topper and hand stitched my binding…to tell you the truth my hand sewing was better then my quilt stitching…lol…Thank you for sharing your talents…Peace and love in sewing…

  8. Hi,
    Thank you for the info on the Quit Project planner. I think it is something I might actually use to keep that part of my life organized.

  9. Thank you for the link for how to do machine binding, Julie. As others have said, my previous attempts at it leave something to be desired so I’m anxious to get some pointers. As I read your post, I thought back to the awful reports and footage of the wildfires in Ca. I hope you and your family are safe and unaffected by that destruction. Stay safe!

  10. I have tried your machine method of binding but prefer the look of binding sewn by hand. I also like the look of hand appliqué that as to machine appliqué. I have threeprojects on the go, going to finish the binding one hopefully by Friday. I Enjoy your emails. I would like to see some stain glass quilting if you have any.

  11. I can’t wait to see your ‘new’ quilt and pattern. From the sneak peeks it looks intriguing and one that I would like to make….for me! I enjoy sewing the binding by hand. It’s kind of relaxing to me but your method sounds like something I need to try, too. Thanks Julie

  12. Loved that method of binding. I love the sturdiness( and speed) of machine bindings. I have done a few but found it hard to keep the final stitching even- I need to reverse the way I sew it! Brilliant. Thanks for sharing the reference- it was a great tutorial.

  13. Thank you for your binding hint link. Your binding is perfecto. I’m striving to get better so your link helped especially sing to try the edge foot. Thank you. Love the red quilt.

  14. I love the way you put things together for us to enjoy and you have such good ideas. Right now, I’m working on a few Christmas quilts….2 tops made and starting another. So, binding will be on my list to do

  15. Morning ..Im currently in my van pool reading this… As much as machine binding is quick I can’t seem to perfect it. I love hand binding because it is relaxing and for me and looks so much neater. I have your heart pattern in my wish list cart for next year it is a nice patriotic mini. I’m. Urgently working on my Christmas gifts and it feels so good to make progress this ear. Enjoy the quilt show. My grandbaby is ONE today and we we’ll celebrate this weekend. 🙂

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