Pat Sloan On How to Tame Binding-A Tutorial Plus Show and Tell Thursday!

In the category of 'Walk the Walk' and 'Talk the Talk' ... I too am busting UFOs in 2013.  My True Confession can be read here, as well as prior tips, because I know you don't BELEIVE I actually HAVE any UFOs... snort!

At my Online group the UFO chatter and support and working on UFOs has been GREAT! There I shared that I was finally going to finish 'A Secret Garden'.

So here it is... sleeve on, binding cut and rolled ready to go, and the walking foot in the ready to be installed. Then I realized I may have NEVER SHARED how I keep my binding 'Tamed' while I sew it!

Would you like to know?

Sure.. let's get to it!

First you need a heavy-ish jar, jug or vase with a wide-ish bottom

Yes.. I do make up words as I go... don't you?

The jar.. jug... vase is to hold the binding!

But it has to be somewhat heavy-ish and wide-ish so it won't tip over

Because you put it on the floor!

Yep.. right between your feet.. or however it can work so you can still press the foot pedal.

The binding 'roll' is placed inside my jar... jug... vase

and it feeds nicely as I sew it to my quilt.

and no I don't pin the binding on in advance... why take that time? You can do it without pinning, I promise. Give it a try.

Fun eh?

I store these old spindles in it when not in use, some have binding wrapped on them, because that is MUCH cutier than using Toilet paper rolls... am I right? Am I?

and if you want to learn how I put binding on by machine.. CLICK HERE

Here we go!! 'A Secret Garden' FINISHED!

I braved sprinkles and the threat of a downpour to run outside, pin this to the fence and take some photos for today!

A side view... you can see my quilting swirls

Ta Da!

Someone on my Facebook page asked 'Why did it take me so long to Finish this quilt'

That's a loaded question isn't it?  But I'm a professional, so let me explain how even a professional does not get a published quilt, finished, for a very very long time.

This quilt is made with my "Arabella" fabric line. Arabella is one of the ladies way back on my family tree, love this name.. oh yeah.. what happened.

When Arabella was shown at the trade show we had NO FABRIC.. NONE.. just a few scraps as the fabric did not make it in time. So that means I had NO DEADLINE... you know.. DROP DEAD DONE DATE

None... so when I finally got fabric I made "A Secret Garden'... and basted it.. and took it around with me to use for quilting demos!  Then I stopped doing the demos and the quilt went on the shelf.

So now it's done.. well I have to stitch the sleeve and label, but it's in essence.. DONE!

SO EXCITED! Would you like to make this quilt? CLICK HERE for the pattern

That is my show and tell!!

Now I'd love to see YOURS! Put a direct link to your latest blog post, your flickr folder (did you share something new?), your pinterest board, or how about your latest project loaded to craftsy?

Click the blue box and follow the directions..let's have some fun!

I can't wait to see your latest quilt, finish, start or pile of yummy fabric!

 

Comments

[Carline]

Beautiful quilt! And why have I never thought of putting my binding in something like that? GENIUS!!!

[a maiden hair fern]

OH! I'M SO EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THE HEAVY JAR! I've had one of the kid's from a middle school project sitting around for years, not ever knowing what to do with it, but just not willing to . . . well anyways, now it's got a great purpose. Thanks for sharin.

[Juanita]

Love your Secret Garden. Thanks for the tip for the binding holder...I'm going to give that a try.

[Susan Pagano]

Thanks for the tutorial, Pat. I have those spindles too, they are on my mantel! Guess I'll take them down & use them!!

[Linda]

Love the binding tip, and I also use the zip lock bag, works well also

[Mary Deeter]

love your binding tutorial!!! Thanks. And congrats on finishing your Secret Garden project!

[Patti]

Thoroughly enjoy your blog. This is one of my current projects: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150334324861255&set=a.10150334323891255.392181.559286254&type=3&theater and also a project with hexagons with 1/2 inch seams: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151340856251255&set=a.10150334323891255.392181.559286254&type=3&theater

[Mary Val]

It's BEAUTIFUL!! I love it Pat!! Way to go!

[lynninflorida]

What a beautiful quilt! Love the jug on the floor too! I actually clip a large zip lock bag to my table right beside my machine...it holds my binding - which I "accordion" fold - that seems to work the very BEST for me - never tangles or 'turns'.

[Helen]

May I ask why you have JANOME taped to the side of your Janome machine?

[Scarlett]

Love it! Your jug, jar, vase is much more attractive than the kleenex boxes I use! Great quilt!!

[Jevne]

The jug is such a good idea! I don't have any spindles, I rolled up and taped an old magazine to make a 'spindle' for wrapping my binding and it lays in my lap. A jug would be so much easier, I'll try that next time. Thanks for the tip.

[erinrussek]

I love this quilt !!!!!!

[Susan K]

Beautiful quilt. I too put the binding on the floor but had not thought to put it in something. Thanks for sharing - now to find the perfect jar!

[pat sloan]

Yes it's single fold Stephanie! I usually do single fold.. just a habit. Double if it is a quilt that is going to be used a lot.

[Penny]

Sometimes I throw my binding over my left shoulder... Lol

[Stephanie]

Gorgeous quilt and I love it on the fence. So I noticed the way you folded your binding -- is that single fold? I usually end up getting my binding tangled under the wheels of my chair!