Yesterday, I posted my traffic jam finish. Today, I want to share a bit about a new experiment in machine binding I have been doing. One of the presenters at a guild presentation, this fall, mentioned, that, he used steam a seam when attaching his binding. I was intrigued and went to Joann fabrics that night to find what he used.
This is what I chose using a coupon. It was 2.39. I had decided that if that was too expensive, I might use the BYT and cut it myself. The package came with 2 rolls.
I tried it the first time on my Big easy Christmas quilt, and, I loved it. Someone asked if I would share how I used it. I used almost half of one roll for that quilt.
I began by sewing the binding to the back side of the quilt. I press my binding a little short on the top of the binding, so, I can see that I catch the underside. I used 2 1/4 inch binding on traffic jam. I decided, I like it better with 2 1/2 inch binding.
I like to press the binding with the iron. The black in the picture is a shadow.
On the right side, I began unrolling the tape and pressing it to the binding. It doesn't have to be perfectly even or straight on the binding.
I take the paper part of the tape of as I press the binding over. It's a little sticky, but, not much.
It works great and stays stuck, and takes much less time than pinning.
I use an edge foot to sew it on the front of the quilt.
I don't mind if I catch it on the back, as long as it looks like part of the quilt, or, is nearly invisible.
I started out hand sewing my bindings. I love doing it, and I like that look the best. But, I like making quilts, and I just couldn't keep up, anymore. My friends use the machine, and, they are much better at this than I am. I tried their way, and I felt like it was just as time consuming as hand sewing. This is a good compromise for me. I am still wanting to tweak my technique at the machine. I need to do a better job of stitching it on in the beginning. I need a better guide than the edge of my presser foot...... next time.
