The Organic Quilt Part 5
LINKS TO YOUTUBE VIDEOS:
In Part 5, we pull this quilt together with a binding and FINISH!
Sewing on the binding…. It’s my favorite part of the quilting process. It may seem like a big task (and it is) but it does go quickly. I like to sit on the couch using the quilt as a blanket.
To begin, you're going to have to square off your quilt again.
It’s called the Organic Quilt so rounded corners are a must! Plus, I love rounded corners, I find them easier to work with and look more modern. Everybody in the year 2022 has a tube of Clorox wipes and it makes a great template for a rounded corner using a water-soluble pen or disappearing ink. I draw around the curve and cut along the line. Don’t overthink this!
To create a binding we need to create strips of fabric that we can sew together that will fit all the way around the circumference of the quilt with some extra (I do about 2 feet extra but I’m an anxious sewer.) The strips need to be cut at two and a half inches.
You may want to cut your strips to the longest part of the fabric that you have. Now if you have a short ruler you might find it easier to do the other way and certainly, I've made quilts and seen quilts that have strips of all different sizes that come together to make the binding and it's very unnoticeable - no stress!
Once you’ve cut your strips. Sew all your strips together to create one long strip. Then, using your iron fold your strips in half and press. Not so bad right?
Now, to attach the binding in the middle of our quilt so pick any side and go in the middle (It doesn't have to be exact!) You won’t be putting attaching your binding at the top of your strip, give yourself some room to attach it later. This is where that extra two feet come in handy.
You’ll line the strip up from raw edge to raw edge. In the illustration below you can see how I left about a foot of overhang and I will begin sewing at the arrow on the dotted line. Use clips to help you secure the fabric while you sew. (Recommendations in my store)
Don’t be intimidated by going around a corner. Use clips and go slow. If you need to turn your wheel by hand that works!
Attaching your two ends of binding can be a little tricky. I have a loose approach to it that has always worked for me and it’s easier to show via my video.
The last step to finishing the quilt is to fold the binding around to the other side and sew by hand. Yes, by hand! This is my favorite part of the quilting process! While you're working on this you can sit on your couch using your quilt as a blanket sewing one stitch at a time. To start the stitch I cut a length of thread, thread my needle, and tie a knot at the end.
I put the needle right into the stitch line and through the edge of the binding. Next, I insert the needle directly below where the thread just came out at the stitch line. Sit back and repeat! If this feels weird to you try changing the direction you are stitching. I stitch right to left.
Treat the rounded corners just as you have on the straight edges. Use your clips to secure and take it a little bit at a time. You'll do this around your quilt until your unique organic quilt is finished!
If you've made the organic quilt or are having any troubles reach out to me on Twitter Instagram or Facebook! I’d love to see your creation! Tag me! @kirbifagan
If you enjoyed making the Organic Quilt and want to try more improv quilting watch my BONUS video with ideas for variations on the Organic Quilt!
