How to Bind an Apple Core or Scalloped Edge Quilt...

I've been sewing for most of my life and quilting for over 16 years. This past weekend while finishing up a baby quilt, I had 3 "firsts"…I sewed binding on my first scalloped edged quilt, I used store bought binding for the first time and I machine sewed it on! I've always made my own binding, but I knew with a scalloped edge it had to be on the bias for the curves and to be honest, I didn't feel like making it. I machine sewed it on, because it's a baby gift and I knew it would be washed a lot and I was pressed for time too.

I wanted to share the tutorial with you, but I always clarify first that I am a self taught quilter and learn as I go. I know there are other ways of doing this, but this is what works for me!

Here is the finished I Spy Apple Core baby quilt...

Come on in for the instructions…lots of pictures too.

I used extra wide, double fold bias tape…1/2 inch wide

Here's what it looks like.

It's folded over twice.

To start, you will open up the folds in the binding and pin one edge to the quilt, right sides together. The right side of the binding means the crisp edge of the fold is facing the top part of the quilt.

Pin along the edge and ease in the binding in the concave portion of the scallop. The concave portion in the picture below is the fireman's hat fabric. You will use more pins in the concave sections than the convex, rounded curves.

Sew the binding on by following the crease that is in the binding.

When you come to the first corner, mark with a pin 1/4 inch from the end (black arrow)

Sew to that pin and backstitch to secure.

Here it is, sewn to the 1/4 inch mark.

Close up.

Now to do the next side, you will take the binding and pull it up vertically over the area you just ended.

Fold and finger crease so it is diagonally even with the corner of the quilt.

Then take the binding and fold it back down over that diagonal crease you just made.

Pin in place.

Then pin along the entire side.

When you start sewing that side, start 1/4 inch from the top.

Continue sewing and stop 1/4 inch from the next corner and repeat the above steps.

When you have finished sewing the binding on, trim away the batting and the backing.

Here it is all trimmed.

Now, take the folded edge of the binding and turn it over to the back of the quilt.

Make sure when you bring it over to the back, you cover the stitching.

Pin in place.

At this point, I would normally hand sew this binding on.

However, here is a quick machine sewing method…

When you are machine sewing on a binding, you will be sewing from the front, so the pins will be on the front side. Take your pins and make sure you are placing it in the ditch between the quilt and the binding.

Turn over the quilt and make sure you have caught the binding enough to secure it in place.

Using your walking foot, sew in the ditch on the top side of the quilt.

Here is the stitching in the ditch. Some what in the ditch, Lol

 
and here is the back.

This method isn't always perfect, because you are sewing the back binding on blind and you really can't see if it will be even stitching all the way around.

In the big picture, it's good enough for me!!

I also stitched in the ditch for the main quilting of the apple cores. I've never quilted an apple core quilt before, so I'm experimenting. The next one will be free motion, all over.

In my next post, I'll show you a cute way to make this not only an I Spy quilt, but a matching game too!!

Thanks for stopping by,
~Karen~