Monday, August 3, 2015

Fancy Finishes: Odd Angles - the Ins and Outs!

A few good tricks to remember for those quilts with a little something extra!


Have I told you that I love binding a quilt?  I do!  I usually stitch my double-fold binding to the front of the quilt, then hand-stitch to the back.  One of my favorite things about quilting is to sit with my feet propped,  put on a good movie as I hand-stitch, think about the recipient of the quilt, infuse a little more of myself into the quilt (sometimes blood, sweat and tears), and then it's done!  I've finished my creation and it can go out in to the world and serve it's purpose. And yes, my quilts are like my children.

Like all children, each quilt is unique - and some are more "special" than others, requiring a bit of effort and creativity in their rearing.

The following tree skirts' edges have all sorts of angles - including sharp points and gentle slopes, odd-angled both inner and outer corners.  (Isn't it time to start thinking Christmas?)
Star Medallion Tree Skirt by Deonn

First, let's tackle those odd OUTER ANGLES.  I generally use 2" strips, joined and folded in half lengthwise, raw edges aligned, stitched with 1/4" seam allowance.

Insert a pin to mark a seam-allowance-distance away from the next edge;
the same width you are using to apply the binding.  Mark each corner.
Stitch binding to the quilt and stop just before the pin.  
Backstitch a couple of stitches and remove quilt from the machine to clip threads.  

The first step is pretty much the same as any square corner with a 90-degree angle.  See the basic binding tutorial HERE.  Next is the tricky part:  creating those mitered corners.  Pivot the quilt so the next edge is to your right.  
Here's the trick:  Fold the binding up so as to create a straight line,
continuing from the quilt's edge.

 Next, fold the binding back down, aligning raw edges of the binding
 with the quilt edge. Place the quilt back under the needle and continue
 stitching, repeating the mitering process at each corner.


Once the binding is stitched to the quilt, give a light press or finger press the binding so it will fold back right at the stitching lines.

Now, take a little time to pin or clip the binding corners in place,
forming identical miters on the back side, ready to hand-stitch!

If you wish, you can stitch the miters down as you bind the quilt.

Beautiful!
Star Medallion Tree Skirt.2  by Deonn  - Lost & Found Chritsmas by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs
No matter how sharp or wide or odd the angle, the trick is the same.  Here's a look at the 45-degree corner finish:

 Insert a pin to mark a seam-allowance-distance away from the next edge;
Stitch binding to the quilt and stop just before the pin.  
Backstitch a couple of stitches and remove quilt from the machine to clip threads.  

 Fold the binding up so as to create a straight line,
continuing from the quilt's edge.

 Fold the binding back down, aligning raw edges of the binding
 with the next edge.

 Place the quilt back under the needle and continue stitching.
Fold binding to the back, forming identical miters.
You may need to fiddle a little bit to tuck in the miters.
Star Weave Tree Skirt  by Deonn 
~~~~~

Now for those INNER CORNERS.  If you have not basted the edges of the quilt, take a minute to baste or stay-stitch (garment construction term) a scant 1/4" on all inner corners. 

Here's the trick:  CLIP a scant 1/4" notch to, but not through
the inner corner basting stitches.


Insert a pin to mark the center of the clip.  Stitch binding to the quilt,
stopping at the pin, then plant the needle.

Remove the pin, take one more stitch.  With needle still down, pivot or fold the quilt
to straighten out your stitching path, then resume stitching.
   
Finish the binding as usual, mitering the outer corners and straightening out the inner corners.
Once the quilt springs back, it forms a natural miter.
If desired, stitch the inner miter closed.

Sweet!

Here's another sample of some Ins & Outs.  These on-point hexagons give a picket-fence look.
Sheep Shape pattern by Deonn, quilt made by Suzanne M.
Nice, gentle angles, in or out.


Use the same techniques above, even for gentle angles like this.  Now you're all set to tackle binding with any angle!

~~~~~~

And what of those sometimes problem-children, SCALLOPS??

Basically, it's the very same technique as above, plus stitching around curves.  Again, baste or stay-stitch a scant 1/4" at the inner points.  You must also use Bias Binding.  Check out the Curvaceous Curves tutorial HERE for a full bias binding lesson.

After basting, clip to the inner point, then insert a pin to tell you where to stop.

In addition, be sure to ease the binding around the outer edges of the scallop. 

Stitch to the pin, then plant the needle and remove the pin.
Pivot or fold the quilt to be able to continue stitching in a straight line.

The final mitered seam is a little bit tricky, since it is on a curve,
but you can do it!  Just allow a little extra ease.

And finally, fold the miter over as you press the binding to the back side.

Pin or clamp in place, then it's ready to machine- or hand-stitch to the quilt.

Quilted placemats by Deonn - Fancy Free by Lori Whitlock for Riley Blake Designs.
For more binding fun and some "Alternate Endings", as I call them, see more >> Binding Tutorials. << 

Happy Binding!

10 comments:

  1. I LOVE to do Bindings. It's always nice to see how other quilters do it. No, it's not time for Christmas just yet! I have to go to the County Fair first.

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  2. You make it look so easy! Thanks for all the tips and for showing those beautiful projects!

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  3. Great hints and your binding looks terrific.

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  4. such clear instructions,I do not think I will ever dare to other than straight edges. I too like hand stitching the binding but struggle with the mitred corners, suppose ter more I do the more I will improve a long way to go yet!

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  5. What great tips & good reminders! I like to save binding for the winter :).

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  6. You make binding appear to be so easy. You did a great job at explaining the process and showing photos of the steps involved. I will save this post and use it the next time I bind a quilt. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful creative day!

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  7. Thank you for the wonderful tutorials!

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  8. Precise! Great pics and easy-to-understand directions. Thx.

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  9. You do such an in-depth tutorial. Thank you so much for all you do for your followers.

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  10. Thank you so much, Deonn! This is a beautiful Tutorial and makes it all seem possible.

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So happy you stopped by for a visit! Thank you!