The Finishing Touches – Binding a Quilt and the Table Runner

Trimming and binding a quilt and the table runner

Now that it’s the end of the week and my hand stitching and machine quilting are all finished. I now need to add thefinishing touches by trimming and binding a quilt in general and the table runner. Here are the steps that I follow when binding my quilts:

1. Trim the table runner (or quilt) around all sides.

2. Cut binding fabric into strips. I like to use strips that are 2½” wide. For this little table runner we’ll need three strips that are the width of the fabric.

3.  Sew binding strips end to end using a mitred seam. Press seams open. Fold in half lengthwise, wrong sides together then press.

4.  Apply binding by aligning the raw edges of the quilt and the binding. Sew through all layers using a generous ¼” seam allowance. Here’s a great YouTube video tutorial that shows how to make and apply binding the way that I do. It’s fast and super easy!

5. Fold binding to the back of quilt and hand or machine stitch to finish. I usually hand stitch the binding to the back of my quilts, but when I’m making baby quilts (or ones that will be washed a lot) I usually use a machine stitch. This method is great when you’re in a hurry too – so here are the steps I use to machine quilt the binding to the table runner.

6. Fold the binding to the back and pin it all the way around, making sure that the folded edge covers the stitching line.

7. Stitch from the front along the ditch between the binding and the quilt top, making sure to catch the binding at the back all the way around.

Debuting the finished project

Here’s my table runner, all finished and on my little hall table. I think the WonderFil threads were just perfect for this project!

The finishing touches – handwork and the train

Whenever I go on a vacation, I always like to take along a project to work on while in the car, or at night, watching TV after a day at the beach. Next month, my husband, Mike and I are taking the train to Halifax for a week away, so I’ve been trying to think of something to work on while I’m sitting on the train watching the world go by. After my first day of doing wool appliqué with the WonderFil threads, I decided that I should bring my new threads along on my trip. On Pinterest, I’ve been pinning lots of images of embroidered wool brooches and I’ve been wanting to learn some new embroidery stitches. So, I ordered a couple embroidery books and I’m going to spend my hours on the train learning something new! I’ll be sure to show you some pictures of the finished projects the next time I’m blogging on QUILTsocial. Until then, I hope you’ve enjoyed my posts and that you’re also binding your quilted table runner and adding the finishing touches!