A Girl Adds a Finish

Finally, a finish to add to the list.  Though it is not off the list I posted earlier.  It is a project completed and it is out of my sewing basket. 

A friend of mine made this awesome I spy Quilt for her daughter, but was having trouble with the binding and asked me if I could help.

It got me to thinking....sometimes the hardest part of the quilt is the finish.  For some it is the quilting.  So they send it off to the quilters, and it comes back as a masterpiece. That's great, but what if the binding is the only thing that prevents you from having that perfect quilt?  You can't just send it out to the binder. 

I have tried many different methods, bought books, searched the Internet and even taken a class, and now I know what works for me.  I have taken a little from each and made it my own.  So, I thought I would take a minute and share how I bind a quilt. 

First, I cut 2 1/4" strips.  I don't cut them on the bias though I know I should, honestly I'm just a little lazy about it.  Then with wrong sides together I iron the strips in half the long way, and sew it on to the top of my quilt.  

Next, I hand sew the binding to the back of the quilt.  I don't pin or clip the binding in place, I don't need to, I just keep folding it over as I go along.  I start by hiding my knot in the salvage and bringing my needle out on the other side of my machine stitch.  I will use this as my guide.  Then I will use a ladder stitch (or some call it Jacob's Ladder) to sew my binding on. 

I used black thread in these photos so it would be easier to photograph and so you could see how the stitch disappears.  If you have any questions please let me know.  It is all about helping each other and getting these projects done.

Till next time,
A Girl in Paradise