This week’s post is going to be a short one because I am very busy packing for the classes I will be doing during the National Quilt Festival. I can’t wait! The festival runs for five days and I have signed up for six classes (some of them are half-day ones), so I am in for an immersive quilting experience.
The quilt show itself is always wonderful and I will be spending the lunch breaks looking at the array of quilts that will be on display.
Finishing Line
My version of this year’s mystery quilt designed by Diana Vandeyar and run by the Good Hope Quilters’ Guild is now quilted and bound. It was a wonderful challenge and I wrote about the process of piecing it in a previous post.
As you can see from the photograph it is not closely quilted. I chose to hand quilt alongside the seam lines and hope that this shows off the beautiful design. The outside edge is machine quilted with a walking foot.
The reverse side of the quilt and an in process photograph of stitching down the binding one sunny afternoon on the couch.
Go forth and enjoy, Mariss and then let us know all about it! HA!
BTW: about your final photo. I clicked on it to see the binding fabric more clearly and had an AHA moment! I never thought to bind a quilt using a visible hand running stitch as part of the design…this is almost a paradigm shift in my way of viewing quilt binding! Question – how deeply does the stitch grab the quilt ie-does it also show on the front?
You are such a talented woman!
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I certainly will bombard you with reports on what I learn and experience at the quilt festival.
Once again your eagle eye has spotted a hidden story.
It started as a mistake when I stitched the first binding strip onto the wrong side of the quilt. As I prepared myself to unpick 2 metres of stitching I remembered seeing an Instagram post where the binding was hand stitched down with running stitch as a feature on the front side of the quilt. Decided to try it and now it will be my go to method for finishing off the binding.
Yes, the stitching certainly shows on the front and becomes a feature. The back has the neat machine finish usually seen on quilts. The stitches did not poke through. (Guess one could do it the other way round and have the running stitch showing in the reverse side of the quilt.)
I stitched through binding and batting and backing when making each stitch. Used a strong needle and thread and did it one slow stitch at a time. Even so it was more pleasant than slip-stitching the binding closed (all the while trying to make the stitching invisible and not succeeding).
Thanks for the compliment, but I can’t claim the idea
Asked and answered? Can email you close up photographs if you wish.
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Answered! Thanks.
I’ll be trying this my next go around with binding edges! I know what you mean about keeping those blind stitches ‘blind’. ugh.
Have fun!
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When I do a big stitch binding I have the stitches show on the back of the quilt. It’s definitely faster than the other hand stitching method I use for the binding! I pick what I think works best with the rest of the quilt.
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I tend to lean towards the stitches showing on the back side like you say – adding artistic flair along with ease of finishing the binding. Seems you’ve been doing this all along, also. I’m happy to have learned of this alternative in this post!
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I like the term big stitch binding. It sounds so grown up!
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Hahaha! I think this is the term that is used in the modern quilting community and where I picked it up.
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I expect you will come back filled with inspiration, so I look forward to your future posts! I think your quilt finished up nicely!
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I expect so too — I am bubbling over with excitement as I go through the requirements lists to prepare for the classes. Thanks for liking the finished quilt
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Hi Mariss, .. and if you forgot something, I am sure, there are nice ladies who can help in your course. Have fun. Did not really understand if you give the courses or if you take them. May be both? And… good to have ladies here with eagle eyes… wow …. this is a super idea to have the binding finished sewing on the top side. Love this idea. If there are straight lines on the top it fits so perfect to have them at/in the binding. Super super idea!!! “from accident – to striking idea”! Thank you so much for this super hint.
Have much fun at the event, it sounds great to meet people, laugh and have fun (excellent wine you have in SA and tasty food as well …hopefully time to enjoy in the evening)
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Thanks for another lovely comment Eva.
Yes, if I forget something I am sure someone will help me out. There will also be stalls selling quilting materials at the festival.
I will be taking classes with three different teachers. One of the them, Diana Vandeyar, is the originator of this new way to stitch down binding. Glad you read Laura’s comment and that you are also excited about this new binding method.
You are right, South Africa does have lovely wines, and the festival is in Stellenbosch, which is wine country.
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yes have fun – and do get some nice objects from traders – photos of things that appeal to you – and have a chat-feast with everyone – enjoy
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Thanks Catherine đŸ˜Œ
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Your quilt is beautiful. So subtle and elegant. And your quilt show experience promises so much fun, I think.
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Thank you Claudia
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Lovely hand quilting!! Enjoy your festival and teaching and I hope you’ll find time to get some photos to share with us! I would love to see a sample of what quilters in SA are making these days.
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Thanks for liking the hand quilting, Gladi. I am learning (not teaching) at the festival and have just done my first class. There are some remarkable quilts on show
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Enjoy!
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Thanks Angie
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Ah, you are at the show now. I hope you are having fun!
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I am having the time of my life. It end tomorrow,which is just as well because I think I would burst I’d this
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… I would burst if this level of stimulation continued for much longer
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That sounds great!
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I hope you are having or had a wonderful time at the quilt show and your mystery quilt finish is awesome!
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I had the time of my life, thank you Tierney. Glad you like the quilt.
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That is so wonderful and I look forward to reading your post about it!!!
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