BINDING THE 2014 QUILT

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EARLY 'DALE #10 WINNERS.

#10A - TOY PACKAGE

WINNER:  R. E. HILL OF AMARILLO, TX

#10B - "HOME AT LAST" SWEATSHIRT

WINNER:  NANCY WAGNER HISLIP OF COLLINGSWOOD, NJ

#10C - SITTING AIREDALE STATUE

WINNER:  NANCY WAGNER HISLIP OF COLLINGSWOOD, NJ

THANK YOU BOTH FOR SUPPORTING THE 2014 AIREDALE QUILT FUNDRAISER!

By Lydia Ross (who had the "pleasure" of binding this year's quilt)

Narrow Brown
 Edge at sides
 of quilt

Easier to see on back side of quilt

From the size of the quilt, you can imagine what a monumental job binding it is, especially for one person. I think I will stick to my self-binding on small wall hangings. (Candy's "speaking" here!)

Attaching the binding. With your sewing machine set for a straight stitch and long stitch length. Chose a side of the quilt to start on (never the top or corner).

I always use a quarter inch seam foot on my machine. Leave about 6-8” of fabric as the ‘head’ and start pinning the binding to the right side of quilt making the raw edges even. I only do the pinning for about 6”, this is just to get me started and in position. I do not pin the binding to the rest of the quilt — it actually works better to have the binding moving freely and not pinned.

Start sewing along until you get close to the first corner. Then about ¼” from the corner, stop and lift the presser foot and move the quilt to the left, bring the binding up and make a diagonal fold. Keep the fold and then bring the binding right back down and even with the raw edge. Put it back under the presser foot and sew ¼” from the top and keep sewing. Repeat this at each corner. This method makes mitered corners.

The End - About 10-12” from where you started, stop and overlap the ends of binding. When I overlap I fold in the ‘head’ of the binding 1/2” (remember you have a 6” head’ and a 6" ‘tail’ approx.) and press in place to finished end.

With the finished end of the binding ‘head’ flat, lay the binding ‘tail’ inside the binding head. Trim excess binding from the end so the binding lays nice and flat.

Next-refold the finished end back into place, and match the raw edge of the overlapping binding to the quilt edge. Sew in place as you were and be sure to lock your stitches at the end.

Now, press from the front of the quilt, until the binding lays flat. I sewed the binding to the back by hand. You can do it on the machine if you like.

By hand - Bring the folded edge to the back and pin into place. I pin about 20 inches at a time. Use matching thread and binding needles. I like sharps, size 5 or 7. Invest in good needles, it makes a huge difference. Start hand sewing with short even stitches, pulling them not tight - just secure. I like to put my thread thru beeswax prior to sewing. I thread several needles at a time, so I don’t have to start and stop. Be sure to tie off each thread end before you change needles.

Sewing should start at the same place you joined the binding (not the top or corner). Sew along and once at the corners, you will see the binding wants to ‘make’ its own miter corner. Fold the binding in on one side. This makes a folded point at the corner. Place a pin on the front to hold the binding in place. On the back of the quilt, fold the opposite side in the same manner. Bring the points together at the corner, this will create a miter corner. Stitch down.

Keep sewing and do each corner the same. When you are finished, knot and hide the thread in the binding.

Don't forget that TONIGHT at 8 PM EDT is the Early Dale No. 10 Drawing.  If you donate before 8 PM EDT, you could be the owner of one of these three incentives.  

10A - Toy Package

10B - "Home At Last" Sweatshirt, Unisex Size Small

10C - Sitting Airedale by Linda Hobbet