Thursday, October 16, 2014

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...

apple core quilt binding

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

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

apple core quilt binding

Here's what it looks like.

apple core quilt binding

It's folded over twice.

apple core quilt binding

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.

apple core quilt binding

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)

apple core quilt binding

Sew to that pin and backstitch to secure.

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

Close up.

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

Pin in place.

apple core quilt binding

Then pin along the entire side.

apple core quilt binding

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.

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

Here it is all trimmed.

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

Pin in place.

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

apple core quilt binding

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.

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding
 
and here is the back.

apple core quilt binding

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.

apple core quilt binding

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

apple core quilt binding

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.

apple core quilt binding

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~

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17 comments:

  1. Thank you very mch for this tutotial.

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  2. What a great tutorial...and I do not even quilt! but you tempt me...

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  3. Thanks so much for your terrific tutorial, Karen!

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  4. Nice job, Karen! What a sweet gift.

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  5. Very nice! I always sew binding on before I trim away the batting and backing--it seems to work best for me that way!

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  6. Thanks for showing us a great way to bind a baby quilt. Quick and pretty. What could be better.

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  7. Fabulous! I used to sew a lot years ago, but don't do much anymore, and I have never quilted. Regardless of that, this was interesting and clever! Beautiful baby quilt and great job!!!

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  8. Your tutorial is helpful, though I have yet to make a scalloped edge....but your little quilt is too cute for words! Love it.....
    Nancy

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  9. Thank you Karen for a wonderful tutorial,

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  10. I love apple core quilts! They are so pretty and one day I would like to attempt one. You did a great job!

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  11. I just bound my first quilt (well, two, actually, but they were identical) this week, and I used this method. I love how it looks from the front ... darn near perfect, if I do say so myself. But no matter how slowly I went or how much I pinned the binding, it still looks sloppy, to me, on the back because the stitching looks wobbly compared to the back edge of the binding. I didn't want to hand-sew for the same reason you mentioned ... it needs to hold up, and I didn't have time. But if I were to do it again, I would make time and take a lot of stitches.

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  12. Love the quilt & great tutorial on binding it!

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  13. Wonderful tutorial. I have an apple core quilt that is quite old and tattered, but I can't part with it as it was on my bed as I was growing up. Someday I hope to restore some of it. Any ideas? My mother hand pieced it possibly a hundred years ago. Thanks so much for your wonderful blog.

    Happy Sewing!
    Nancy

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!

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