Binding and Writing and Article in Quilting Arts Magazine!
Yes, I’m still binding and writing. I think it’s Groundhog Day because I keep on doing the same thing! There is great progress on finishing my projects for the book, and that’s good because I am behind in all the details of normal life.
I’ve got some unconventional ways of doing things that work for me–thought I’d share:
I needed to remove both glue and markings from some of my work. I did not want to run them through the washer or even hand wash in the normal fashion. I wanted to make sure they did not wrinkle or crunch up before they were photographed. I took them out to the steps up to the spa and hosed them down. It worked quite well as the quilts stayed flat and then dried without wrinkles. Win!
I don’t know if this is something other sewists do, but when I am attaching something by hand, like binding, I take 3-5 stitches in succession without pulling the thread all the way through. Then I carefully pull all the stitches through at once. I can zip through a binding that way! I would guess it shaves my time down by maybe a fourth. Works for me! No, I did not use white thread for my bindings–it’s just so that you can tell what I did.
After agonizing over whether to hand or machine finish my bindings, I decided to hand finish. I messed with machine finishing and it just didn’t work well. The whole glue or fusible thing-nah. I did as suggested by several of my readers and ironed the glue to set it. That worked well, but no matter which glue I used, the glue was flexible but resisted my needle. And the fusing just did. not. work for a skinny binding.
And I realized –there is something comforting and satisfying about finishing my quilts by hand. It’s the punctuation mark, the final touch. I thought about farming the task of binding out, but it didn’t feel right. So here I am binding by hand; call me a fool.
BIG NEWS:
Yes, I’m in it! “Bubbles 8 Ways” is how it’s titled I think. I can’t wait to see it on the news stand! It was fun to work with Quilting Arts-they were so helpful and made it an enjoyable experience. I hope I work with them again. I have so many ideas in my head for more articles. I just need a little time–hah! You can get your very own copy here.
For no particular reason, Zeke says “Hi”:
Next week’s post may be brief; I’ll be in the midst of a 3-guild 5-event gig in Southern Ca. I’ll be driving back and forth to 3 locations so wish this Suburban Girl good luck in LA traffic!
I’m linking up with Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday.
Can’t wait for my copy of Quilting Arts to arrive. So proud for you. Always enjoy your blogs as you have good information on a wide range of subjects and techniques. Zeke face isn’t hard to look at either.
Pretty brave to spray with water. But if you made the piece square and true, of course, it should stay that way! Hi to Zeke for no particular reason except he is just charming with his sad face.
Oh you give me too much credit Martha! My pieces are frequently wonky because I quilt them so much. In this case they are small enough to not go wonky.Zeke says “hi” back…for no particular reason!
Thank you for the encouragement Sonja! Zeke adds something particularly interesting when I include him!
Congratulations on the article in QA! Can’t wait to see my copy.
I also use a 1/4″ binding and I always hand stitch it on. And we use the same method. It has a great rhythm to it and I always enjoy it. Binding, hanging sleeve, label — now it’s done.
Thank you Franki! Yes, what a wonderful feeling when all the details are done.
I do the same thing when I’m hand stitching my bindings, Jenny. It gives me time and wiggle room to make sure that everything is lying flat and even. The only difference is that my stitches go the opposite way — I’m left-handed. ;)
Sandy I had the feeling that I didn’t invent that! I guess you’re used to interpreting a right-handed world.
Call me crazy, but I enjoy seeing on the bindings by hand. It’s my quiet time. I can do it while visiting, watching tv, listening to books on tape, etc. I am looking forward to my issue of Quilting Arts.
Thanks Kay-I decided I do too. Especially when everything is so crazy right now for me.
Well, like others, I enjoy hand sewing, too. I do “position” them using the washable glue and iron dry technique, though. The trick to success is to keep the glue away from the edge you’ll be sewing.. Glue doesn’t cooperate with hand sewing as you’ve discovered.
Kudos to you on the Quilting Arts thing and bless you for being willing to drive in LA traffic!!
I have a dear friend in Chicago north and I wouldn’t dream of driving from NE Ohio even though it’sonly a 7 hr drive. I’ll take the train, thank you very much. :.)
Thank you Marlette-yet another great tip! I will be more mindful of where I put my glue if I do this again. I am hoping that it won’t be as bad as I think. Apparently in rush hour, without a horrific accident, it takes an hour to go 17 miles, so I’m mentally prepared for that.
Congrats on the article. I do the same thing when binding, but I hate binding. I do it, but I complain the whole time and try to rush through it. I need a binding slave.
Glen maybe there are binding slaves out there somewhere! I really do try to embrace each part of my quilts, even the stuff that seems mundane. I’m in such a hurry right now that I considered the whole machine thing but it’s really not for me.
Yesssss – I’ve been binding and facing too!! I even spent time on Monday watching free craftsy videos with a refresher to make bindings perfect. I really need to get myself a binding fairy although I have a friend who pays the Amish to do it (I haven’t gone that far yet). Congrats on the article!!!
Ah, great minds think alike Nina-Marie! Binding fairies-hmmm, are there any?
Congratulations on the Quilting Arts article! Can’t wait to see it. And you were afraid to hand wash your quilt, so you decided to give it a prison shower with the hose instead?! That made me laugh out loud. You are one brave quilter! Whatever works is the right way to do things! :-)
LOL Rebecca Grace! Prison shower? Never thought of it that way. Because they are lying flat there is less chance of wrinkling up. If it was a bed quilt I would love that wrinkle but I want them pristine for the book.
Congrats on the article! I hope to do that some day1
Thank you Angela! It’s fun-just try it!
Looking forward to seeing your article in Quilting Arts – love that magazine! (They always pick the very BEST quilters for articles, right?!) You must be insanely busy doing all this, traveling, teaching and finishing up the book, too! Love your idea of the garden hose – would’ve never thought of that – Thanks!
Thanks Peggy! I’m here in my own little world, doing what makes sense to me. See you in Houston!
Great idea on the flat shower for your quilts. I have often had quilts that would work very well for…some that could be soaked (or showered flat), but I didn’t want to wrinkle. I will have to try it. Best wishes on getting everything done. Looking forward to your book.