Binding.
Does that make you cringe? Or maybe you are one who enjoys to do the binding on your quilts?
For me, it's not my most favourite part, but it's not my least favourite either. I think I like it because it's a sign that all my hard work is about to pay off with a finished quilt. :)
One of the reasons that I didn't enjoy it very much (notice the past tense) was because my thread would always tangle and knot up and I'd say some not so nice words. I tried cutting my thread shorter, but still had issues and in most cases, I wasn't using "cheap" thread.
Then...someone (was that you Grey Cat?) told me to try silk thread. At first I thought no way. I'm an Aurifil girl so I wasn't so sure about this but I was frustrated enough to give it a go. Off I went to JoAnn Fabrics and I picked up one spool of silk thread by Gutermann.
Let me tell you, not once did my thread knot up. Not once!!! The thread slid through the fabric so smoothly. I couldn't believe it!! It also washed up just like my cotton threads did!
From now on, I am only using 100% silk thread for my binding! :D
How about you? What do you use?
Much Love!!!
thanks for the tip I'm going to have to try that!
ReplyDeletethanks so much for that thought! I have a bunch of silk thread I inherited from my grandma (mom said grandma used it for buttonholes) and now I know what to do with it!!!
ReplyDeleteI love doing hand binding ever since I began using straw needles (or milliner's needles) and hand-quilting thread.
ReplyDeleteThat's also a strong no-tangle thread you can use.
the tangling of the binding thread is my worst binding enemy. Thanks for the tip, I am going to have to try this on my next quilt!
ReplyDeleteI'm an Aurifil gal too...but I don't like it for hand work.. It tangles something fierce. I was taught to use hand quilting thread for my bindings...
ReplyDeleteThere is a product called Thread Heaven that is great for all types of hand sewing. It comes in a bitty little blue plastic cube and although it is waxy, it is soft & pliable. I've used it forever-it leaves no residue at all & just kind of conditions the thread-you hold it in the little container and just pull it along the length of the thread. It should be readily avaiable-if they have it in Hawaii, they should have it everywhere!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for the great tip - I will have to give that one a try forsure because I have the same issue.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried this for binding, but when I learned about hand applique, I was told that thread has a direction. You should always use thread in the direction that it comes off the spool. Thread the needle then unspool as much as you are going to use, then cut it. I think it has to do with the way the thread is twisted.
ReplyDeleteI rather enjoy hand stitching the binding. I have always just used plain old gutterman polyester thread...but I have recently seen there is a whole world of thread to explore! I'll try the silk for the binding next time if I can get some before I need it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am hand stitching the binding now on my quilt and, yep, there is a few choice words coming out of my mouth too. Will definitely be buying some silk thread to try for my next one. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the binding part too - to avoid knotting, I use cotton thread but run it thro some beeswax first.
ReplyDeleteI used to bind some quilts with silk thread (also Gütermann silk thread) because it was pure joy to stich with it. I wouldn't recommend it though - my snuggle-quilt already had to be repaired because the thread already broke (I made the quilt just 1 1/2 years ago).
ReplyDeleteNow I use hand quilting thread (YLI or Gütermann, waxed so that it doesn't tangle) - but I'm considering using polyester thread (even though I'm a 100 % cotton only quilter) because I fear that it won't last either...
great tip, thanks! So how about teaching me some photography huh?
ReplyDeleteI despise hand stitching :) I machine stitch on my bindings. Is that lazy or what :)
ReplyDeleteI love hand stitching my binding, but I've never tried silk thread. I always use the hand quilting thread. I'll give silk a try next time!
ReplyDeleteLike Melissa above, I've been machine stitching my bindings but I have seriously been considering doing it by hand because I like the way it looks better. Thanks for the tip or else the first time I tried it by hand might have also been the last...lol
ReplyDeletethank you for that tip - i love to do the binding, but the tangles and knots in my thread frustrate me too. this is an awesome tip!!
ReplyDeleteI've had a lot less trouble since I let my needle dangle and spin out the kinks in my thread every so often! I'll have to give the silk thread a try, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the super suggestion. I have always run my thread through beeswax before sewing on the binding but I read somewhere that it attracts bugs - so on to the store to buy some silk thread!
ReplyDeleteI use hand quilting thread right now but the color options at least where I live are really bland. I think I'll try the silk next time!
ReplyDelete