2 sewing tools to make binding a quilt easier

The finished details in our Laughing Flowers Wall quilt are revealed today.

Yesterday we created a pretty woven heart basket, using interfacing for support, to fill with tulip blooms for our Laughing Flowers wall quilt. Springtime is nearly here, and our wall quilt is almost ready!

Today, we’re going to create a hanging system and bind the quilt using 2 sewing tools to make binding a quilt easier: Flatter starch free spray and small Clever Clips.

Press pieces Flatter for a charming pieced border.

From coordinating fabric, cut two 5″ squares. Fold in half on the diagonal and press with a dry iron. Don’t use steam as it will distort and stretch.

Pin the folded triangles to the top edge of the wall quilt, matching the raw edges (see photo).

Stitch the hanging pocket very close to the edge of the quilt, and then again, slightly more inward from the first stitching.

Sew the hanging corners close to the edges of the top of the quilt.

Cut 20 – 4″ squares of coordinating fabrics and join them together, alternating patterns. Cut the resulting strip of fabric in half, and sew the two halves together along one short edge. This is the binding for the quilt. Bind the quilt. For tips on how, follow Elaine Theriault’s excellent QUILTsocial tutorial on binding a quilt.

Press the binding to the back of the quilt and clip with Clever Clips. If you do this while the pressed edge is still warm, the fabric will really hold a crisp crease. It’s a great solution for those corners that persist in looking a little more loose than desired.

Slip stitch the binding to the back.

Use small Clever Clips to secure the binding to the back of the quilt, bonus: zero scratches from the pins!

Slip stitch the binding to the back of the quilt.

Raid your stash of mini doilies and pretty buttons to make this wall quilt shout hello to spring!

Mini doilies and pretty buttons make this wall quilt shout hello to spring!

Add a quilt label to your quilt.

Our Laughing Flowers Wall Quilt cheers up a sleeping garden.

Create a label for your wall quilt, and iron it on to the back using HeatnBond Featherlite.

Dip the ends of the blooms in PVC glue, and place in the basket. Allow the flower arrangement to dry.

Once the glue has dried, assess which ones might still be a bit floppy. These can be tacked to the quilt using tiny hand stitches. If the edges of the basket are not secure enough, they can be secured with hand or machine stitching.

If you like, tack a couple of ribbon or raffia bows to the edges. Insert wooden dowel and hang for everyone to enjoy!

That’s all from me for now, I hope you’ve found these 2 sewing tools to make binding a quilt easier, useful. This basket full of fabric tulips is a pretty, hopeful and happy welcome to the coming spring. Until we meet again, remember to make a mess and have some quilting fun!

This is part 5 of 5 in this series.
Go back to part 4:  Sulky’s PolyLite thread adds shimmer to wall quilt

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24 comments

Julie Daniels April 9, 2016 - 5:37 pm
I love those little clips, saves a lot of poking of my fingers.
MaryBeth March 21, 2016 - 11:55 am
I love using the clips for bindings but have never used the Flatter spray. I've seen several bloggers recommend it, so might just have to try it.
Linda Webster March 15, 2016 - 6:55 pm
Great tips. Thanks so much
Nancy Devine March 16, 2016 - 6:10 pm
Thank you for visiting QUILTsocial, and also for your kind comments.
Kathy E. March 15, 2016 - 4:08 pm
I am adding Flatter Starch Free Spray to my shopping list! This sounds like a great tool to use on my quilting projects. I also love those little crocheted flowers with dainty button centers. With so much gloomy weather here lately, I am needing anything that resembles spring-time!
Nancy Devine March 15, 2016 - 6:29 pm
Kathy, it is just a lovely tool -- so fragrant and such a lovely finish. The flowers and the buttons came from the clearance bin at my local craft super store. That's my antidote to awful weather. Nothing like a "find" to chase away the gloom! I hope you get a chance to try the Laughing Flowers Wall Quilt. Thank you so much for visiting!
Sarah J March 15, 2016 - 9:48 am
Lovely quilt! I love all the dimension and different embellishments-- so pretty!
Nancy Devine March 15, 2016 - 6:31 pm
Thank you so much, Sarah! I really enjoyed creating this piece -- and it never hurts to actually use up some of that stash. I hope you give this wall quilt a try -- there's lots of ways to put your own spin on it. Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Pam B March 14, 2016 - 7:17 pm
Hiya!!! Loved this series. The wall hanging is so cheerful and just right for the season. Blessed be, hugs!!!
Nancy Devine March 14, 2016 - 9:42 pm
Thank you, Pam! I hope you have a chance to give it a try!
Nancy Devine March 15, 2016 - 6:37 pm
Hugs back to you, Pam! Thank you for your kind comments, and three cheers for Springtime!
Anne Gale March 14, 2016 - 3:47 pm
beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration!
Nancy Devine March 14, 2016 - 9:43 pm
Thank you for your kind compliment, Anne! I really enjoyed making this wall quilt, and I hope you do as well.
Nancy Devine March 15, 2016 - 6:38 pm
Thank you so much, Anne! I hope you give this quilt a try, there's lots of ways to make it your very own.
Michelle W March 14, 2016 - 2:17 pm
Love the quilting labels!
Nancy Devine March 14, 2016 - 9:47 pm
It is so important to sign our work, so that future generations know how awesome we were! Thanks for visiting, Michelle!
Dene Kirby March 13, 2016 - 2:46 pm
This looks like a fun project.
Nancy Devine March 13, 2016 - 3:14 pm
Thank you, Dene! I hope you are inspired to make your own wall quilt.
Claire Sutherland March 12, 2016 - 3:42 am
Very pretty x
Chris March 11, 2016 - 11:13 pm
Are you making your own labels or buying them premade?
Nancy Devine March 13, 2016 - 12:00 pm
I often make my own. I save the scraps of ink jet printer fabric, and cut them out with a scalloped-edge rotary cutter. I use a permanent marker to sign the label, and then iron it onto the quilt with HeatnBond Lite. I'll also sometimes fussy cut a motif from fabric and iron it onto the label.
Debby March 11, 2016 - 10:51 pm
I love using the clips. They are so handy. I must try those mini doilies. They are adorable.
Laura B March 11, 2016 - 6:07 pm
Wow, a quilt project that uses crocheting, which is my other favourite hobby.
Nancy Devine March 11, 2016 - 9:48 pm
Hi Laura, I bought the crochet flowers from a craft store as I don't do yarn crafts. But, I know your flowers would be awesome on this quilt. Thanks for visiting!
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