 My main task this week is to get the 4th of July quilt bound. I haven't liked the 4th of July name because my color palette just doesn't fit the theme. I've had a lot of time to think about it while binding and I think I'll call it Fireworks. Anyhoo.....while binding I thought about something that I discovered a couple of years ago that saves me a lot of time and pin sticks. I used to pin my binding as I stitched and I know a lot of people use those little clips but I discovered that you don't need pins at all! That's right, I don't use 1 pin when I hand stitch my binding.  What I realized was that even after I took a pin out that I'd readjust the section I was getting ready to stitch so what good was the pin doing me? I really only care about the 1/2 inch ahead of the needle. I just roll the binding over as I go.  I adjust - stitch - adjust - stitch all the way to the corner. I don't use pins in the corners either. I stitch to the point where the 2 edges will miter together.  I fold in the side, adjust the miter and then take one stitch on the corner to tack the miter in place.  Then I stitch the miter on the back.  At the tip stick the needle through to the front and have it come out in the fold of the front miter.  Stitch the miter down the front coming out at the base of the miter.  Stick the needle back through all of the layer and come out at the base of the miter on the back.  One more stitch in the corner to make sure the miter is secure.  And then head down the next side. The whole binding is stitched without the extra time to pin.
This quilt will be ready to show tomorrow!
Kristin F
11/14/2019 10:53:34 am
Thanks for the great tip about not pinning! It makes perfect sense. I will have to remember that. I do something similar with the corners as what you have done. 11/14/2019 10:07:59 pm
I have started ironing my bindings down and using a tiny drop of glue on the corner miters. I don't pin or clip them anymore either. After that they are easy to sew down by hand (or machine if I choose to do it that way.)
Mary Anne
11/14/2019 10:35:50 pm
Great tip Vicki! I just bound the Super Mario quilt and didn't bother pinning beyond about 6" ahead of where I was working. That happened before I read this so next time I won't bother pinning at all (if there IS a next time!)
Judy Cloe
11/15/2019 08:07:04 am
I don't pin either. But, I noticed from your photos that I sew in the opposite direction!
Cindy Pilkington
11/15/2019 10:26:39 am
I enjoyed seeing your binding technique and do the same except I’ve not gone through on the metered corners to the front. I’ll try that on my next binding. Funny we hold and stitch in the same direction. I’ve noticed many people do differently. I hold the fabric like my grandmother and Mom taught me to do a blind stitch when hemming garments. I guess it just stuck with me. I do like the new name, Fireworks, for the quilt!
Helen
11/15/2019 10:49:21 am
Finally someone who does binding almost the same way as me! I have mine rotated through 90° so that I sew towards myself. That way my hands are in a neutral position. My last two fingers on my left hand hold the binding in place and add some tension.
patty
11/15/2019 12:59:07 pm
I only use a couple of pins vs. years ago doing a lot of pinning. Your corners are nice! Your stitching is so neat and you sure can make a perfect corner. I can tell you have had lots of practice. I sew by machine a miter for my corners so I save myself all that hand stitching. I have to put the binding on that 16 patch this weekend so I will take some pictures and post them next week.
Diana
11/15/2019 02:03:23 pm
I just finished a small project's binding with no pins or clips. How liberating and time saving! Turned out perfect...thanks so much for the idea.
Sarah
11/22/2019 06:27:10 am
I'm like you in the way I finish my bindings, and like Helen that I've been told I'm not doing it correctly. I prefer our way. Comments are closed.
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I'm Vicki Welsh and I've been making things as long as I can remember. I used to be a garment maker but transitioned to quilts about 20 years ago. Currently I'm into fabric dyeing, quilting, Zentangle, fabric postcards, fused glass and mosaic. I document my adventures here. Categories
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