Sunday, December 16, 2012

Crinkly Goodness


I was able to sew down the binding on my brother's birthday quilt yesterday and run it thru the washer/dryer.



Gotta love a soft, crinkly quilt straight from the dryer!


I tried a new way (for me) of sewing down the binding.  After attaching the binding to the back of the quilt, I folded it to the front and sewed it down using my machine.


I thought it made for a much nicer finish than sewing it to the front, folding to the back, and then stitching in the ditch on the top (so the stitches are hidden).



Now, I don't have a problem with hand stitching down binding...  I'm near-sighted and can still thread a needle without glasses!   I also find hand sewing/embroidery relaxing and have spent many an evening in front of the television, stitching away.   However, I find that hand sewing things is similar to pie crusts for most folks... at least the ones I hang out with...




 ...they don't value hand sewing, don't know the difference (or even notice), and don't particularly care one way or the other if something is hand sewn or machine sewn. So....  why spend the time?  That is, unless the recipient does know the different and appreciates hand sewing...  


My gifted quilts are made to be used and enjoyed... not entered in a quilt show to be judged.  Additionally, after battling perfectionism for most of my life....  I don't want that ugly monster rearing its head again!    


After all, my goal in life is to be happy....






16 comments:

  1. Amen Sister. Life is for enjoying. I started machine sewing bindings a few years ago and I haven't looked back. Your brother's quilt looks very masculine. I was commenting to myself how nice your binding looked before I read your confession. LOL!!

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  2. My three gift quilts--that I hope to get bound before Christmas--will be machine bound using that very method. Your binding looks very nice. And I like your life goal! Perfectionism can get in the way of that. : )

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  3. Love it !
    So will your brother......
    The binding looks great.....must try it one day.

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  4. What a wonderful gift, it turned out very nice and is sure to be cherished. I'm starting a binding today and since reading your post, have decided I'm NOT going to hand sew! The method you used is how I learned binding - on mug rugs - so thanks for the reminder!

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  5. I don't think it matters which way one binds a quilt as long as both the maker and recipient are happy and that it will stand the test of time!

    All the best for your return t o work tomorrow!

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  6. Great quilt, great job. I am with you on the binding. I think the machine finished ones are exactly what we need for our quilts given with love......they can be used and washed and we don't worry about loose stitches on the binding. Your brother has a super Christmas gift coming....he will be smiling.

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  7. My goal in life is to be happy *and* a perfectionist!

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  8. Crinkly goodness is what it is all about!! Wonderful job.

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  9. 99% of my quilts are done for charity and I always machine stitch the binding down. I think it makes a more durable finish, at least I hope so! That is just a stunning quilt and I'm sure it will be very well received!

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  10. And this quilt will surely make your brother happy, too! Awesome!

    And that pic of the girl with crayons and a ruler is too darned funny! It's like a snapshot of my childhood! LOL I am still working through the stages of 'letting it go'.....but it's sooooo hard! :o)

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  11. I tried a new binding method on a small quilt last month, and was very happy with the look. I sewed it to the back, then brought it around and used the machine button hole stitch to stitch it down. I am going to try it on a larger quilt in the next week or two. I am not sure it will work with all quilts because it has a very distinctive look, but it will work with some of them, I think. I do like doing the hand stitching, but this was a fun change.

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  12. The quilt is lovely. Beautiful job.
    I like to pull my binding from the back to the front, all sewing done with the machine. I think that make the quilt more durable. I want my quilts to be used, worn out, loved, used for warmth.
    The picture of the child drawing on the wall could have been me. I was unable to control that impulse. Got me in big trouble every time :(

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  13. Your quilt is gorgeous Freda and you're so right, why bothering when they don't see the difference and it looks good too.
    *A big hug from across the big pond*

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  14. I have yet to finish binding on a machine (but then I also always make my pie crust), but I'm going to give it a try on the binding (probably not on the pie crust).
    Lillian
    lillianscupboard.wordpress.com

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  15. Oh my goodness, Freda! I've just started using this method to sew on bindings as well. How weird is that?? It's so much quicker than the hand-sewn-on-the-back method and it looks fab as well. :o)

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  16. This quilt looks great. I will have to try that menthod of binding someday.

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