Tip #13

When using your walking foot to attach the binding strip to a quilt or to sew many layers, it is a good idea to have both legs of the walking foot on the fabric.

Notice in the above image that the foot is in line with the edge of the fabric. So both legs are on the fabric. This will help bring the fabric layers forward in an even way. Only problem is the needle will hit the fabric quite far from the raw edge making your seam allowance abundant! 

There is a simple solution. Leave your foot where it is and move your needle to the right until you have an acceptable seam allowance. (see photo above). 

Many of the newer machines have the option of moving the needle to the right. 

Tip #10

#10

When you quilt by machine it is recommended you lengthen your stitch length. It will make the stitching smooth and will not pull on the layers of fabric and batting.

If your machine is computerized, every time you shut it off it will reset to the standard stitch length (mine is 2.2 mm). When you turn it on again you'll need to reset your stitch length.

I place a post-it note on the machine to remind me to switch the stitch length and remind me of what length I was using.

Scrap quilt. I found a bunch of unexciting triple rail blocks in a box
so I put them together and found  a way to
make them look good! I'm happy I turned  some nothing into something.

Tip #4

#4

If you plan to use up scraps to arrive at the length of your binding strip, you should use pieces that are the same value. Mixing light bits and dark bits can be very distracting when viewing the quilt. It's like a frame for art work. You want your viewers to be looking at the work not the frame.

I used 9 fabrics for this quilt binding.
You can see 5 of them here.

Tip #3

#3

Use a diagonal seam when joining strips to create the length you need for a binding strip. That makes your connection flatter and less bulky. It also makes the join 'disappear'.

Place strips good sides facing. Sew a diagonal line.

Cut off the triangle leaving 1/4 seems allowance.

This is what it look like on the back after ironing.

This is what it looks like on the front after ironing.

Fold the bindings strip in half and iron.
You can barely see the join.
The bulk of the fabric is 'spread out' so the strip lies flat.

Tip #2

#2

A binding strip should be cut at 2 1/2 inches wide. Fold and iron in half, lengthwise, before attaching it to the quilt. Two reasons; 1) the binding is a section of a quilt that over time gets used up so having a double layer of fabric there is a good idea and 2) the folded edge helps you achieve a clean look when you roll it over to the back and blind stitch it to the backing.

  

Tips (tip #1)

I imagine most of you are doing more quilting than usual as we all stay home and isolate.

When I teach, I sprinkle my classes with lots of tips to help my fellow quilters. 

I plan to share these with you on my blog over the next few weeks.

Tip #1

When sewing a binding strip to the quilt, it is best done using the walking foot. That's because of the thickness. Using a walking foot will ensure all layers (top, batting, backing) feed into the machine together.