The quilt is from the Fig Tree pattern “Jumping Jacks,” and I made it with Fig Tree scraps I’ve saved over the past few years. As I sat binding it last evening I thought about how much I love the binding process–it’s such a wonderful ending to the finishing of a quilt. I love being able to remember the fabrics and the piecing “close up” as I sew those final stitches.
My bindings usually act as a frame for the quilt, and I often have a pretty big contrast between the binding fabric and the outer border fabric. This isn’t always the case though–sometimes I use a light-colored binding because it sets off the quilt best, and sometimes I really don’t want the binding to make a statement, so I will choose a binding that blends with or is just slightly different from the outer border.
For my “Jumping Jacks” quilt I wanted the flag blocks to be the “star of the show” and chose a green binding just a bit darker than the green in the border.
Sorry for the photo over-load, but I really love this quilt!
I’m binding another quilt this evening–March is going to be a month of finishes! I’ve actually been pondering the binding on this one for awhile. At first I was going to wait for yardage to be available from the Aloha Girl collection to bind it (pattern is another Fig Tree design–“Mahalo”). But while looking for something else in my sewing room I found an extra bit of binding from another project and realized the polka dot from “Avalon” would set off this quilt beautifully.
The polka dots add a touch of whimsy, the navy makes a great contrast with the coral outer border, ties in with the aqua/coral border, and even is fun with the lime green backing from Somerset. I love when I’m able to finally decide on the perfect binding!
I always machine sew my binding to the front of the quilt and hand stitch it to the back. A couple of tips:
- After your binding is machine stitched, use your iron to press the binding away from the border (on the front of the quilt). This makes it much easier to fold the binding back to the other side and makes it turn nicely (I don’t do this when using bias binding, though).
- I hand-stitch the mitered corners together along the diagonal edge–I think this makes for a sturdier binding…things are less likely to get caught in the fold of the fabric if you do this.
For more thoughts on binding, you can find links to both of my You Tube binding tutorial videos here.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hildy says
I don't know why but mostly I use Polka dot fabrics for my binding. Or strips. Is it just me? I love the Avalon fabric you choose for the Jumping Jacks it's one of my favroites.
julieQ says
Please join my binding blitz this month with your gorgeous finish!
Bari Jo says
I really like your jumping jacks quilt!!! Now I need one :O) Thank you for the binding tips -I hadn't ever ironed it once I machine stitched it to the front before hand stitching to the back – I like that idea – will try it! Thank you!
KMSC says
I have friends who hate to sew the binding on a quilt but I love it because it means I'm almost finished with the quilt! Thanks for the pressing tip; I'll try it on my next quilt binding.
Needled Mom says
I LOVE the Jumping Jacks! Great hints about the binding too.
AnnieO says
Binding has never been a chore for me but I usually machine stitch the whole thing. I tried the ironing hint before and it works–
Your quilts are pretty!
gibbygoo56 says
Beautiful!
Unknown says
Would you please share what the name of the pantograph pattern that was used to quilt your Jumping Jacks quilt? Thank you!
Helen L says
That's how I bind too. It just makes for a perfect binding! When I do finish them at least!! Ha! Love your jumping jacks!! Hugs, H
Sorcha girl says
The You Tube tutorial was very helpful. Joining the binding was the step I was completing on a quilt I'm finishing. The video was very clear and my binding sewed together just right!! Thank you, Sherri.
Sue says
What are the pros and cons of bias binding verses just straight binding?
Thank you
Sue Lambrix
Laura Chaney says
Love the binding that you chose!