New Sylvan Shades quilt done!

The last and sometimes worst part of quilt making is the binding.  I usually enjoy the process of sitting with my feet up and hand stitching the binding to the back of the quilt.  No matter how I try, this is not something I can rush through.  I have a quilt at home beside my chair thats been sitting untouched for almost 3 weeks waiting for the final hand stitching.  Unfortunately, I have been way too tired lately and the thought of picking up the quilt and hand stitching has been too much for me.  Maybe the need for new glasses is part of it too.  I just had an eye exam and desperately need a new prescription, especially the bi-focals!!!!

So, this morning I got dropped off early at the store and after looking at the Sylvan Shades quilt for a few weeks pinned to the wall, decided to just sit down and do it! This time I stitched the binding to the back side of the quilt, folded it forward and machine stitched! Its done.......

Step 1 is to cut the binding a bit wider than normal.  I usually sew a double fold binding and cut my fabric strips 6 times the width of my presser foot.  I never do a 1/4" seam allowance on binding.  I put on my regular sewing foot which measures 3/8".  6 times 3/8" is 2 1/4", for the machine stitched binding I cut 2 3/4" wide strips.  I sew them together with diagonal seams, press the seams open and fold in half lengthwise.  with wrong sides together. 

(disclaimer!) Not very good pictures, but I think you'll get the idea - I sew the binding to the BACK side of the quilt is my usual manner. 

I press the binding away from the seam using a bit of steam.

I fold the binding to the right side of the quilt.  Because I cut the binding strips a bit wider than usual, the binding easily covers the seam on the front side of the quilt.  Pin in place.

I move my needle over a bit and stitch close to the edge of the binding.

 Here are some close-ups of the comleted quilt.  It still needs to be blocked, but that will get done at home.

The back view is always a surprise. In this case, I like it. 

 

I quilted with the same Wonderifl Mirage thread (rayon) in the needle and bobbin.  No marking.  I love that.  So I used the blocks on the quilt to determine where and how I would quilt.

This is the 2nd quilt I have sewn using my new Sylvan Shades quilt.  The pattern features blocks in 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10".  The larger the blocks, the bigger the quilt. This red and black one used 4" blocks and measures approximately 44" square.  The purple/green one used the 6" blocks and measures approx 66" square.  Love these quilts.  They are easy to sew and the pattern includes detailed instructions for mitered borders.

check the pattern on the web site.