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How to Quilt>binding a quilt
Quilt Binding so Simple a Child Can Do It
Someone teaching a child to quilt wondered which method of binding would be best to show the child – self binding (pulling the backing over to the front) or ragging. The best answer is: that depends. It depends on the skill level of the child and on the pattern of the quilt. If the child’s attention span is long enough, either method is fine. And not all fabrics and patterns lend themselves to the ragged look. So you’ll have to use your judgment. If your child’s quilt happens to be a simple patchwork one, you have another even easier possibility, though. Once your child has completed a simple patchwork top (like 6 or 9 inch squares simply stitched together), you can use one of the oldest forms of binding a quilt. Cut your batting and fabric backing to be the same size as your finished quilt top. On a large flat surface, lay out the batting and smooth it out. Press your quilt top seams all to one side, then lay your quilt top on top of the batting. The quilt top should be facing up. The side with the seams should be against your batting. Line them up so that they are even and the top and batting are both smooth and wrinkle free. Next, lay your fabric backing on top of the quilt top. Place the right sides of the fabric together. So, instead of the traditional quilt sandwich of backing, batting, top, you will actually have batting, top, backing. The top and the backing will be positioned so that the right sides of the fabric are facing together. Pin baste around three sides of the quilt sandwich. This is a great way to teach a child about seam allowances. The pins actually help point out where the seam should go. Don’t forget to remove the pins as you sew. After the quilt has been pin basted, begin to sew. You will sew around three edges of the sandwich. I suggest sewing the two longest ends and one of the short ones if your quilt is rectangular rather than square. Having left one entire end unstitched, turn the quilt sandwich inside out and press it out with your hands. Your project will now begin to look more like a quilt. Finish the open end by turning the edges under and pin basting. Stitch that end closed as well. At this point you can choose whatever quilting technique you prefer. This kind of quilt lends itself nicely to tying – which is nice for children who are beginning quilters. Tying quilts gives them the satisfaction of finishing the quilt with little help from anyone else. Show the child how to tie the quilting knots with their hands or how to use a needle to stitch a knot into the quilt. Maybe they will even choose to stitch “x’s” into block corners for the quilting. Just be sure to tell them to stitch over the same “x” several times before tying the knot and moving to the next spot. Stitching in the same spot, as you know, will further secure the quilt. Also show the child how to appropriately knot the thread for ending a stitch. Don’t worry so much about hiding knots unless you believe the child’s skill level is advanced enough to give it a try. The most important part of teaching a child to quilt is keeping it fun and helping them see a finished product soon. If the child can complete one quilt fairly quickly, there’s a likelihood he or she will want to work on another quilt project.
P.S. This method of binding a quilt isn't reserved only for children. Many quilters love to bind quilts using this technique because it is easy and finishes a quilt nicely. Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren www.How-to-Quilt.com
©2010, Penny Halgren This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
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