Thursday, February 5, 2009

Binding - Not So Bad

Two weekends ago I took a binding class. For some reason I felt that I wouldn't like binding. I don't have any experience hand sewing, I'm new to quilting, and after reading a lot of blogs it seems that a lot of quilters put it off.(so how much fun could it be?). Some even pay someone else to do it for them. There also seems to be several methods of binding out there. So I really was expecting that I wouldn't like this part of quilting at all. Or that it would be a frustrating skill to learn.

The class came with a kit so I didn't have to prepare anything. There were quite a few of us and we all had a great time. Kept our instructor really busy but it was fun!

I had to take a few pictures of what to do as it will be a while before I'll have something to bind!
I wonder how this lovely fabric ended up in a binding kit?!
Brown roses on a neon green background!
Here's our instructor, Carolyn Allen, showing us how to join the 2 ends. She made it very simple!
Later that night, G & I curled up and watched the 2 worst movies in history. I worked on finishing up the hand sewing while half paying attention to the TV and was able to finish up. I have room for a lot of improvement but I was happy overall with my first attempt. Carolyn gave me several tips for the hand sewing and that helped a lot. I didn't hate it like I thought I would and surprisingly the hand sewing was soothing. I didn't expect that! Slowly I'm learning all the skills that will enable me complete my quilts start to finish all on my own! I'm truly looking forward to my first finished project!

17 comments:

Jean in Georgia said...

Looks great!!!!

Unknown said...

The fabric is so pretty and you did a wonderful job hun! hand sewing is something I put off... seems odd to be a knitter but that despise hand sewing so much. lol

Unknown said...

I"m so glad you blogged about this. I too have just started binding. However, I've just watched some videos on Youtube and picked it up. However, let me ask this. Your picture of the finished binding, is that the front or back. Cause that's how my front looks. Then, when it comes to the back, I'm not sure how to hide the stitching???? I just stitch it by hand as neat as possible, but you can still see it. HELP!!!

Irene said...

Those mitered corners look perfect. I really enjoy putting the binding on as I know it's the very last step then the quilt is finished.

Barb said...

You did an awesome job....thanks for showing me.

Candace said...

Jackie - I love to do the binding because that means I will have a finished quilt! It can be challenging, but I find it very rewarding. Carrie (Schnibbles) had a great post the other day on binding here: http://lavieenrosie.typepad.com/lavieenrosie/2009/02/flip-a-coin.html
Yours looks terrific!
Hope you're staying warm in your chilly temps!
Cheers!

Louise said...

Binding is one of my favourite things - it also means you are about to finish your quilt! And yes, hand sewing is really very calming! I love that binding fabric - a really gorgeous green. Thanks for dropping by Audrey & Maude!

Anonymous said...

Great job with your first binding project. Since you like hand sewing maybe hand embroidery is next. I love all kinds of handwork. It may be the same for you.

Anonymous said...

Jackie,

Will you please visit my blog at 6pm pacific standard time today....

please, please, I think you'll like what you read.
Thanks Diane
2fun4u.wordpress.com

kcenya1950 said...

You did a great job. No one would know that you are a beginning to learn how to do it.

Simone de Klerk said...

This looks very good, Jackie! You are talented! I've never binded like this before but want to do it some day, since it is probably much easier than the way I do it.
Have a lovely weekend!

Zlaty said...

Good Job on the binding, I love the green color!

Jackie, I have nominated you for an award, please come on over!

Zlaty

Jodi Nelson said...

Visiting your blog for the first time, and I have to tell you I LOVE binding. The hand sewing is very relaxing to me, and it gives me a chance to snuggle under the quilt I just spent so much time making, and really enjoy it. Especially the ones that are going away as gifts. I look forward to visiting often. ooxx`jodi

Anonymous said...

You should have seen the stuff I did to avoid binding when I first started quilting. I had one quilt that I even put a ruffle on. Yuck!

Then I found out how easy binding is. I don't know why people say it's hard.

Oh, and if someone tells you that mitered borders are hard, ignore them. They're not hard and they look awesome!

Kitty said...

Hi Jackie - firstly thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment last week. Secondly - wow! I love the green of that binding, you did a great job. I also love that 'down the road' quilt you pictured recently.

Take care :-)

Beth said...

I love binding -- I find it very relaxing. I hope you continue to like it!

Anonymous said...

It is great to hear that biding didn't turn out to be as bad as you thought. I think sometimes things just get hyped up so much that people dislike them just because they think they should.

You did a great job!