How many quilts are resting, quilting completed, on shelves waiting for a good fairy to come along and finish the edges? Why is edge-finishing of a quilt such a bug-a-boo? Of all the articles on this site, the two on binding are the most read. Each day when I check the statistics, I find Quilt Binding and the Mitered Corner and Quilt Binding Made Easy to be at or near the top of the list of visits for the previous day.
It is important that you learn to do a nice edge. "The success of any quilt, no matter how beautiful, is influenced by how skillfully the edges are finished - - "(from The Quilters Ultimate Visual Guide)
But you don't have to do mitered corners if you find that difficult. A simple method to finish the edges of a quilt is to fold the backing fabric over the edge of the top and sew it down. This edge may feel loose and soft. To firm it up make 2 or 3 rows of stitching around the edge through all the layers. Simple? And now you can use that quilt.
Another way to finish the edge of a quilt without actual binding is a "knife edge". I used this in the very first quilted bedspread I made (embroidered about 35 years ago) because I didn't know ANYTHING about quilting, and it looks pretty good! Trim the back and top exactly even. The batting must be cut about 1/2 inch smaller than the top and back. Turn top and back both in, the same distance and whipstitch together. Again this is not a very strong edge and will need either quilting around, or machine stitching.
Most quilt magazines have an "how-to" section that includes binding. Some quilt books also give direction on binding. The more you read about binding the better you will understand.
I found this tip in Ultimate Quilters Visual Guide,p 52: "An easy way to finish irregular edges such as sharp curves or hexagons is to applique them to a long straight border before layering and basting. Quilt as usual and then bind the straight edge."
So let's get those unfinished quilts down off the shelf and complete those edges! You can do it!
Happy Quilting,
- Merry Sunshine
 |
 |
 |
Go To Page: 1
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Jeanne Walsh's Quilting topic, please visit the Discussions page.