Tidbit Tuesday #46 - Binding Thread

Gasp! Another tidbit!

This one comes from an issue I was having while binding and I was getting so frustrated!! Let me explain...

When I bind, I like to use Aurifil 40 weight thread (the green spool).  I cut off a long piece, thread it through the needle, match ends, and tie a knot.  This way my needle doesn't fall off (those hurt to sit on, by the way) and I have secure binding.

What kept happening is after a few stitches, my threads would somehow become uneven and I'd get loops where my stitches were.  I'd have to go back and fix them.

Does this happen to you?

What I did to fix it is simple.  After  you thread your needle, match the ends and tie the knot. At this point the thread by the needle is loose. This allows the needle to slide wherever it wants to.

Now, hold the knot in one hand and the needle in another. Stretch it so that the needle is exactly in the middle.  Pinch the threads at the needle and tie a knot right below your needle.  This way the needle stay right in place!!

No more loops!!

Hope this helps someone else too!

Much Love!!!

A Second Look at Binding Thread

I get so many comments from readers that tell me how much they enjoy my "tidbits". (Thank you!). I think I like them more than you because whenever I post them, I get additional suggestions related to that tidbit! (Thank you!). 

Yesterdays tidbit was in regards to using silk thread when doing the binding on a quilt as it glides smoothly and does not knot up. 

In my excitement, I may have posted in haste. I'm not saying that what I said is wrong or bad, but I really hadn't worked with this type of thread to really be able to give it a fair assessment. So let me share with you some of the suggestions I received, and you can make your own decisions on what you'd prefer to use in your own quilts. :) 

A lot of people said they used hand quilting thread to bind their quilts. I guess you can find it coated to help prevent the tangling. I don't know why I never thought of using hand quilting thread, since essentially, that is exactly what you are doing. I am going to have to give that a try too. I know that the thread is thicker than normal piecing thread so that would lead me to believe it would last longer. 

Julia had said that she had used silk thread and in a year or so the thread snapped. *gasp*. I'm a bit worried about that happening. I did a test.....I took my 100% cotton thread that I piece with (and used to bind with) and pulled it to see how much uumpfff it took to break it. Then did the same thing with the silk. To me, there wasn't a difference. If there was, it was unnoticeable to me. This made me feel a little better. 

Someone else also suggested to use a product called Thread Heaven. This product is supposed to condition your thread for ease of use AND it is supposed to lengthen the lifetime of the finished work. I'm totally getting some of this!! Once I receive it and have a chance to use it, I will do a review here. Thank you Diane for suggesting this!

Then....Sequana said she used straw needles. Who'd a thunk it?! Not I! She even shared a tutorial she found for her binding and now she loves doing binding! Check out the tutorial she shared HERE.  I am a bit worried after reading the tutorial because it speaks of using regular cotton thread for piecing and if you use it for binding, it should be doubled up. I've never done that. I hope my bindings don't start coming off.  (o_O)

So I've decided I need to change my ways.

I think I am going to try two things. No, three. I am going to get some hand quilting thread and I am going to pull out my straw needles and give that a go. I am also going to get some of that Thread Heaven and use that, perhaps even on my hand quilting thread. Can't hurt.

Even though I loved using the silk thread, I'm not sure its my best option unless I double it up. I say that because it's the same weight as the thread I used for piecing. 

So I apologize for being so quick to post on the silk thread and I hope that this post will help you make a better informed decision on how to bind your own quilts so they last forever! :D 

I also haven't shown any sneak peeks lately..... I know how you all love to be teased. :) 

Have you seen this line? Sweet Divinity by The Quilted Fish for Riley Blake?! 

**Swoon**

Well, I've been playing with it...I can't show you much right now...but soon. I promise. :) 

Is it ironic that it is waiting for binding to be tacked down? LOL

I tried a new quilting technique as well. The lines are spaced about 2" apart in a cross hatch design. I can't wait to see it washed and all smooshed up!!! 

Much Love!!!

 

 

Tidbit Tuesday #9

When I first started quilting, the thing I hated the most, was binding. Mostly because I didn't understand how to do it properly. I didn't have all the amazing tutorials at my disposal as I do now so I would just zig zag stitch those things on. It makes me cringe too, I know! How could I?

Well, I actually don't mind binding anymore because I know that it will look nice when I'm done and the process is not stressful. (psst..I no longer zig zag it. I actually hand stitch it down now *smiles*)

I am not going to do a tutorial on this as there are so many good ones out there and it would just be a repeat, but I am going to give you some linkage to follow if you have troubles with doing your bindings. 

My most favourite binding tutorial is by Jaybird Quilts. Not just because she's like cool and stuff, but because she makes it make sense. With photos! Have a look HERE.  It's the process I follow every time now! 

In her tutorial she mentions bias binding. I've always cut my binding strips selvage to selvage and didn't even have a clue how to do it on the bias. I knew what it meant, I just wasn't sure how to go about it. When I searched for this, I ran across the "continuous bias binding" tutorials and they just made my eyes bug out and my brain hurt. To me, it seems like a lot of work and then I have to cut it with scissors? Uh. I use a rotary cutter for a reason. :D

I journeyed on and so glad I did. I found a simple tutorial that makes cutting biased binding a snap! I will admit that when I first saw it I was like, "no way is this gonna work". I almost didn't do it, mainly because what I had to cut binding for I couldn't mess up because I wasn't sure when I'd be able to replace it since it doesn't come out until August. After reading comments on her blog, though, I took a shot. I figured if it didn't work, it wouldn't still be posted...lol. 

So, if you want to cut your binding on the bias, please give this a go. It's a sweet trick! Click HERE.  Heather Mulder Peterson has a down-loadable PDF in this post just for you. 

My fabric after cutting... (only I had more strips, but I didn't think about taking photos until I moved some already...doh!)

My strips showing how they look when you separate them...

Sew them together...

You get this... (pattern placement may not always be this perfect)

Then press in half and you have all this beautiful bias binding...

Something else I always do for binding that is a personal preference? I do not trim the extra off of my edges before I sew on the binding. I only trim it after the binding is on. I think this makes it much easier to sew on, with less bunching. Also, ALWAYS use a walking foot if you have one to sew this on...

Edited to add sources for tacking the binding to the back

I realized after posting this, by an email received, that I didn't post any links or give any suggestions on now to complete the binding. Once you sew the binding onto the front of your quilt, as shown above, if you haven't already, cut off the extra batting and backing, then you will need to flip the binding over to the back of your quilt and hand stitch it down. Two really great photo led tutorials can be found HERE by Christina at The Sometimes Crafter and HERE by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh Fransson! ( I personally use Elizabeth's method).

Why bias binding? Mostly because it will hold up over time much better, especially on those quilts that get used over and over. Also because you can take your fabrics with stripes and make them twist and turn...like such... 

I know all of you have something to put binding on, cuz you know we all do, so have at it and let me know what you think. :)

Keep your eye out for the full reveal on the quilt shown. :)

Much Love!!!