A week or so ago Kathie suggested we share any binding tips we had. Well this is my favorite tip/technique. It adds a step, but to me worth it. First off sew your binding onto the front with machine like normal.
Next I sew a zig zag stitch onto the edge of the quilt/binding with regular thread on the top and fusible thread in the bobbin. The fusible thread will go on the back of the quilt. Above are 2 of my favorite brands of fusible thread. The YLI is fairly easy to find. You won't see the collins much - actually not even sure they still sell it. I kept this one to remember what kind it was in case I ever saw it again. The YLI spool I got for about $4.50.
Here you can see the zig zag from the top - I used green so you could see the zig zag, but normally I use a color that matches better!
And here is the zig zag from the back. I use a wide setting and larger stitch length. Usually about a 5 width and a 3 length. I also need to put my tension up quite a bit as the fusible thread is quite thick.
Next you iron the binding down on the back with a HOT iron. Pull the binding tight from the front around to the back and iron down.
What this does for me - is gives a nice even binding and it doesn't shift as I hand sew it down to the back. You know how sometimes when your pulling it over while sewing or even clipping it down it kind of pulls sideways. Well this holds it in place. No shifting, no clipping, no pulling and holding it down cramps while your sewing! Plus if you need to show it to a friend before the back is totally sewn down it still looks great from the front! If for some reason you decide you need to pull it a bit more or shift it, it easily pulls up so you can adjust! I NEVER do bindings without the fusible thread step! It has been a life saver for me!
27 comments from wonderful readers:
Really great idea. I'm going to have to look for that thread. Thanks for sharing.
What a great idea - I've never heard of this thread and will most definitely be looking out for it. I'll be trying this on my next quilt .... it'll eliminate the pinning which I keep snagging my thread on.
I have never heard of this thread. It sure seems to do the sewing of the binding a lot easier.
I have some of this thread just laying around. I also have a quilt ready for the long-armer. I will have to try this technique when I bind the quilt. Thanks!
What a great tip...I'll have to try that sometime. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing,
Very good tip Dawn!
Wow! How cool is that? I'm so glad you posted this, even if I'd seen the thread I'd have had no idea what to do with it.
Great pink and brown!!
That's a great tip - I'm forever pulling just a tad to hard in a spot or two along the way *s*
I never heard of this thread or technique. WOW, what a great suggestion, Dawn.
Thanks for the technique. I am always looking for a good way to keep my bindings straight!
Hey Dawn, look what I found! Go to www.redrockthreads(dot)com and on the left sidebar under Misc. is Fusible threads...there is your Collins thread and the YLI too!
So do you then machine sew the binding? I like the zig zag trick. I tried the fusible, but didn't zig zag and must have had the iron too hot. My thread melted and didn't hold anything in place. Big mess. I'm going to have to give it a try again.
Wow what an awesome tip. I will have to try that. Thanks for sharing.
Great idea! Do you turn under a hem to hide the zig zag stitches?
tich
Are you the queen of knowing everything or what??? Love the polka dot fabric in the border of this quilt, how cute.
That's a good idea. I have used Elmer's School Glue which works but it a bit hard to hand sew through. This would be better and not so messy to apply.
Thanks for the tip. I usually have my sister do my bindings but she doesn't want to do them anymore so I gotta learn.
WOW! What a great idea! The trick will be for me to remember it -- I'm so set in my quilting ways that I always forget to try new tricks!
I was given that hard to find thread and could never figure out why I would use it! now I know- fabulous tip - you should send it in to one of the quilting magazines.
Great tip .... I will have to try this. Many thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for posting this tip. I bought some of the Collins thread yesterday and it works like a charm. I am so going to use this over and over and I posted about it on my blog too!
I saw this tip in a magazine many years ago with the added step of using decorative stitching from the front with the binding seam line as your guide. It's decorative from both sides and quickly binds the back as well. I've used this successfully to enhance charity quilts. And without the added time of hand binding, I can get on to the next project faster.
What a wonderful tip. I want to try this. It makes the binding so nice and straight. I always have used pins and get poked quite often. Thanks for sharing.
I have never heard of this before - but sounds like a grand idea! no clips you say.. no pulling - Brilliant! I love it and just hope that next time I'm at a quilt store or Joanns I can remember to look for a fusable thread...
thanks for sharing your "works for me" tip and providing the great step by step photos! :) :) :) ~bonnie
just wanted to comment again and make a little suggestion... while Cutting and pasting it into a word document for later refference for me.. when I came back I noticed you labeled it as "binding tip" and got to thinking.. why not edit your label as "quilting tip" or "works for me tip" and then that way on the side bar any tips you have will all be catagorized together... binding, piecing, nay thing that is a tip...? jsut an idea...
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