Binding Tutorial

As I release my first ever quilt pattern, I looked back on my blog tutorials to help people finish their quilts and decided it was time for an update . I wanted to share step by step instructions on how to cut, join and attach binding to complete a project for anyone needing a little extra guidance. 

My preferred method of binding, especially for big projects and quilts is this one. I cut 2 1/2" X WOF (width of fabric) strips. If necessary, I join the strips to create one length. You can use a straight join with the strips simply attached end to end, however, I prefer a 45° join as they are less bulky. To create the 45° join, take one strip on the wrong side and draw a line at 45° across the end. Lay this on top of your next strip, right sides together at 90° with the draw line across the outer corner. Pin together and sew along the marked line. Trim off the corner to leave a 1/4" seam and press open. Repeat as needed to create your continuous length of binding, then press in half lengthways.

 Take the pressed binding strip and position on the front of your project, with the raw edges of the binding aligned along the outer edge. I like to start the binding along the bottom edge as the join is usually less noticeable there. Clip or pin the binding in position along the first edge and start to stitch, leaving the first 4 - 5" of the strip loose. Use a 1/4" seam allowance along the raw edge and a walking foot on your sewing machine if possible (as this helps to feed the layers through evenly). 

For the corners, stop stitching 1/4" from the end. Then, fold the fabric 90° away from the project, creating a 45° fold at the corner. Holding the corner fold (you may wish to pin), flip  the binding 180° so it aligns with the next raw edge creating a neat 90° corner, covering the 45° fold inside. Clip in place and restart sewing from the corner edge, continuing to use the 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat for each corner until you come towards the final length of binding. You will need to leave a gap with loose end to join to the beginning of the strip. 

To join the strips on a project, lay the binding down flat across the unstitched gap. The binding should overlap. Measure and trim the ends so that they are a neat straight edge with an overlap of exactly 2 1/2".  

Then, open out the folded strips and mark a line 45° across one end. Making sure you don't twist the strips, position the marked end right sides together at 90° with the opposite end, held away from the edge of the project. Pin and stitch along the marked line, then open out to check the join is correct and will lay flat. If so, trim the corner off leaving a 1/4" seam and finger press open. Stitch the remainder of the binding to the project. 

 

With the front sewn on, the pressed edge of the binding can then be folded over to the back to be stitched down. This can be done by machine for speed, but I always prefer to hand sew using a ladder stitch for an invisible finish. Carefully fold over the binding one section at a time, using binding clips to hold in place. These can mark fabric if left on too long so just clip each section as you are sewing then remove. The binding shouldn't be pulled so it is too tight over the edge of the project, or be left loose. Once clipped in place, simply ladder stitch along the pressed edge onto the backing fabric. For the corners, sew down flat until you reach the edge of the project, then folding the excess in, fold the next edge over to create a mitred corner. Clip in place and continue stitching the folded edge of the binding, repeating at each corner until the binding is fully secured. The finished binding will look similar on both sides.

 

Mx

Cushion back tutorial

 I thought it's time to share an updated tutorial on how to make a zipped cushion back as my first ever quilt pattern is released today and includes a cushion size! I make a lot of cushions and wanted to show how I like to get a nice neat finish for the back for you to try on your own. Start with your finished cushion front and follow the cutting instructions below for the back sizes.

W= total width of cushion front + 1"

H= total height of cushion + 1"

Zip = width of cushion - 2"

For the bottom section (piece A), cut W x 2 1/2"

For the top section (piece B) cut W x H 

So, for a 20" square cushion, cut piece A @ 21" x 2 1/2" and piece B @ 21" square, with an 18" zip.

 

Lay your zipper teeth down onto the right side of piece A and pin in place, so the zipper tape lines up with the top edge of the fabric and is centred across the width. 

Stitch along the top edge with your zipper foot on your machine running along the edge of the teeth. Fold the fabric back, press and top-stitch along the edge of the zip. 

Lay piece B right side up with piece A right side down on top, so the zip teeth face down and the tape aligns with the bottom edge of piece B. Pin and sew using your zipper foot.

 

Now at each end of the zip, you are going to sew an 'L' shape to stop the zipper and create the concealed fold. With your fabrics still right sides together and the zip pull in the middle, mark 2 1/2" in from the side and 1" up from the bottom edge (as in the photo above). With both ends of the zip marked, sew along your marks ensuring you run across the zipper teeth a few times to make it extra secure. Now fold back your piece B and press carefully over the zip. 

Next, topstitch along the top side of the zip with the zipper foot running along the zipper teeth, stitching through all layers of the fabric flap to hold them in place. Make sure your cushion back is the right size and square.

 

 To join the back to the front, you first need to decide if you are binding the cushion or not. If binding, place the front and back pieces aligned wrong sides together and baste using a 1/8" seam allowance from the outer edge to hold the layers in place (as seen above). You can then trim the sides neatly and sew on the binding of choice to finish, covering the basting stitches around the edge. 

If you don't want to add binding, place your front and back right sides together, with the zipper open and stitch all the way around using a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn the cushion through the gap in the open zipper and press. As a nice alternative to binding or piping to give the cushion an extra finishing touch, I like to add a simple stitched border. I topstitch around the edges with a 1/4" seam on the turned through and pressed cushion, burying the threads at the end.

  

If you like the cushion pattern above, head over to my etsy shop to purchase the Dione Quilt pattern which includes 4 sizes from cushion up to a large throw !!

 

Mx

#SewTheScrapOutOfYourBooks challenge

 In 2021 after making a christmas quilt using a pattern from a magazine, I set myself the challenge of using my crafty book more. It seems such a shame that we all buy books and magazines, mainly for the patterns in my case, then hardly ever use them. When I posted about this on instagram, it turned out I wasn't alone either. It was a little difficult to come up with a # at first and I did have a little help from a friend. Finally I decided on #sewthescrapoutofyourbooks. Since starting the challenge we have also added (magazines and patterns), since its not just books that get forgotten about. It turns out I really am not the only one and a few people are joined in and posted to the # too!

Last year I managed to made 10 projects using my books, magazines and unused pdf patterns. Although I did use 1 book for 3 projects and 1 pdf for 2 projects.

This year I am doing it again... I have set the myself the challenge of making one project a month from a book, magazine or using a pdf pattern. I have added the challenge that I want to try and use fabric from my stash or scrap box, as much as possible, instead of buying new fabric for all the projects.

I have finished my first project. I used some Tilda stash to make this cute little bird using the Tilda hot chocolate book. Since the beak and wings are all hand stitched on to the body (as well as the turning gap) this project took a little bit longer than I thought. It was a nice little project to practice sewing curves though and since it stands up on its own, it looks so cute perched on my shelf.

Since it always makes project or challenge more fun when you do it with others, I am hosting the challenge on instagram too. Its super easy to join in, simply make a project using a pattern from a book, magazine or pdf pattern you have been hoarding. Preferably using scraps or your stash, although not requirement. Then post a picture of your make with the #sewthescrapoutofyourbooks. It would be great if you tag me too @craftylilmouse so I don't miss it. Even though I am hoping to make one a month, you can join in as much or as little as you want. I will probably do some giveaway or prizes along the way but mostly its just to have fun and encourage each other to keep going and using all the fabulous books and magazines we buy!

Mx

Wips be gone part 4…

This challenge has definitely been a lot harder than I expected when I first saw it on Instagram.  

Quarter 4 finishes:

• Stocking for George
• Annie’s gift 
• Christmas make up pouch
• 2 zip pouches 

Over the course of this challenge I only finished a total of 10 wips. I think thats a respectable amount, although still leaves a very big #wip pile! I guess there is always next year though...

Mx

Wips be gone… part 3

  So this challenge has definitely not gone as expected at the start but here’s we’re I’m at…

Quarter 3 finishes:

• Heart cushion
• Neverland quilt pattern and test
• Annie’s gift 
• Christmas pouches (finished 2, 1 to go)

The list to choose from for the last quarter (not in order but some things obviously need finishing before Christmas):

• Stocking for George
• Christmas make up pouch 
• Dads pouch
• Norah quilt
• Princess quilt
• Bed cover/quilt
• Moth project
• Scissor pouch
• My quilt pattern cushion
• Doll house epp cushion
• Christmas cross stitch
• Hedgehog cross stitch
• Sweet Christmas quilt
• Dog/ car quilt
• Heather ross quilt
• Embroidery case
• SJ bag
• Green blanket
• Paradiso cushion
• Hst liberty quilt
• C+S Halloween cushions
• Florence dress
• Seaside skirt
• Adele dress
• Vest top
• ICS quilt
• … I am probably forgetting something really important!

As normal this is a sew along on Instagram, so if you’d like to see my progress I will be posting on my account @craftylilmouse.

Mx

Wips be gone 2021- part 2

 So I set my quarter 1 goal at finishing 5 wips, it turns out we are half way and I only finished 4! I might have been expecting too much of myself, but it’s good to aim high… isn’t it!? Anyway it is now time to set goals for quarter 3…

Quarter 1 finishes:

• Star link cushion pattern test
• Spooky and cute pouch swap
• Halloween cushion
• Halloween quilt

Quarter 2 goals:

• Heart cushion
• Norah quilt
• Princess quilt
• Annie’s gift
• Moth project 
• Christmas pouches
• Dads pouch

The rest of the list to choose from (re ordered in priority and including a couple of new things I might have started… oops):

• Neverland quilt pattern and test
• Scissor pouch
• My quilt pattern cushion
• Doll house epp cushion
• Christmas cross stitch
• Hedgehog cross stitch
• Sweet Christmas quilt
• Dog/ car quilt
• Heather ross quilt
• Embroidery case
• SJ bag
• Green blanket
• Paradiso cushion
• Hst liberty quilt
• C+S Halloween cushions
• Florence dress
• Seaside skirt
• Adele dress
• Vest top
• ICS quilt

As normal this is a sew along on Instagram, so if you’d like to see my progress I will be posting @craftylilmouse.

Mx

Wips be gone 2021

I would normally be doing a finish a long list and check in but the challenge seems to have faded away.  With only 91 days left in 2021, it’s time to prioritise the projects I have started rather than starting new ones… however tempting! So I have decided to join @devotedquilter on Instagram who is hosting the wips be gone 2021 challenge. It’s simple use the days left in this year to clear the pile of wips for a fresh start.

At the start of the year, I did quite well at finishing my wips. However I did end up starting new projects along the way and getting very distracted making a massive 7 quilts this year! I realistically have far too many projects started (without even mentioning the quilt plans and supplies I have waiting) to get them all done this year… I can still try my best though. I am going to try and finish the smaller projects and ignore most of the quilts, all but the 2 tops I’ve got completed and with quilters and a special one of course.

Here is my list, i think it might be in priority order although I might fancy a further down project sometimes:

• Star link cushion pattern test
• Spooky and cute pouch swap
• Heart cushion
• Halloween cushion
• Halloween quilt
• Norah quilt
• Princess quilt
• Annie’s gift
• Moth project 
• Scissor pouch
• Christmas pouches
• My quilt pattern cushion
• Dads pouch
• Doll house epp cushion
• Heather ross quilt
• Christmas cross stitch
• Hedgehog cross stitch
• Embroidery case
• SJ bag
• Green blanket
• Sweet Christmas quilt
• Dog/ car quilt
• Paradiso cushion
• Hst liberty quilt
• C+S Halloween cushions
• Seaside skirt
• Adele dress
• Vest top
• ICS quilt

I told you it was a lot… and that’s not all the quilts! I will prioritise the stuff that needs to get done, try not to start anything else (ok maybe one or two things) and let’s see how far I get.

Check out my progress on Instagram and I’ll maybe do a couple of posts here too.

Mx