Friday, September 24, 2010

Binding

Hello Everyone,

Even though I am a long arm quilter and love to quilt and piece all my quilts from beginning to end, the most favorite part for me is to sit down and bind my quilt by hand. I think it has something to do with the fact that the quilt is almost done. But more so, I find it relaxing and I can sit with my family too. How about you do you like it or not?

Anyway, this brings me to this particular quilt...


This quilt has been quilted for some time now, but has been waiting for binding to be applied. The reason it has been so long... I couldn't decide on what fabric to use for the binding.


So this is the fabric that I ended up choosing, it is an older Martha Negley fabric. But to tell you the truth, I am not sure that I am happy with my pick.


When I first chose it, it looked like the right color magenta and had just a little bit of yellow. But now that I am looking at it more closely, I am thinking that the color isn't strong enough. Maybe the eyes are starting to go??


I think it looks great against the backing. The backing is from the Sugar Snap line by Melissa Averinos called Kimono. But I am not so sure about the front of the quilt.


Anyway, I hope to complete the binding over the weekend and will then show you the entire quilt. Maybe once it is complete I will love it!

Regardless, this binding is staying on for now, as my friend Justine asked if I would put it in her church's quilt show in a couple of weeks.

Your thoughts and opinions are definitely welcome here!

Until Next Time...


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53 comments:

Rafael's Mum said...

I find it hard to give you an opinion without seeing the quilt as a whole.. when taking in all the shapes and colours it is so much easier to assess!

However, from the pictures you have given it looks absolutely fine. As you say, the colours blend in with the backing really well and from what I can see from the front that is good too!

You are probably worrying unneccesarily and once it is hung and done you will like it. It often happens when you spend changing your mind a lot.. suddenly nothing seems good enough whereas it really is!! You'll love it when it is done, I am sure!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

From what I see of it it looks fine to me. I enjoy the handwork of binding of course as I like all hand work. Hand work is relaxing and you can sit with the family, watch tv or whatever and you do not have a loud machine going.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Pat said...

The binding looks like a good choice in these photos. I, too, enjoy hand-stitching the binding down on the quilt back.

Becky said...

Hand sewing binding is one of my favorites, too. In fact, I have sewn binding for a friend when she is in a "bind." Sometimes the fabric for the binding is easy to find. Sometimes, I have to choose what goes best. Your choice for this quilt looks great to me.
Take care!

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

I love hand binding for the same reasons. It's just that extra touch that makes it all so personal. Oh, does that even make sense?

I think your binding choice looks great from the photes. I bet when you get done and step back, you will feel the love. Pretty colors.

Suburban Stitcher said...

I think that I can see what you are talking about, but from what you have shown, I think that it will be OK. What is the ultimate purpose for this quilt? If it's a show quilt, then you may want to "fix" it if it makes you unhappy. If it's purpose is to be used and loved, I think that it will be perfect as is.

Terry said...

I think the binding is just perfect Jackie! :0)

Nedra said...

From here, the binding looks great. And a yes, on the church quilt show too.

Minka said...

I see some maroons and pale yellows in the binding, but I'm not sure those colors are in the quilt. That said, I don't think that's necessarily a problem. I agree that the binding may seem off while you are working on it but when it's done and you look at the quilt as a whole, it will all come together. Sometimes, we are just too close to everything while we are working on it. I suspect it's going to turn out wonderful!

I prefer handwork which is why I have more than one English paper piecing project going, and I'm doing my Dear Jane quilt by hand.

dutch sisters said...

I think The color of your binding looks good from what can see. I also prefer hand sewing. I find it more dificult with the machine.
Happy sewing!

Janet said...

It looks good on the computer screen and maybe you've been staring at the binding too long. sometimes it's hard to find the right one so I know what you mean. I'll look forward to the reveal. I like binding, it's rhythmic and relaxing and close to the end.

Dresden Quilter said...

The binding looks great to me!

Glenna @ Hollyhock Quilts said...

Hi Jackie-- I think we are used to thinking that the binding needs to function as a frame for our quilts, but sometimes one that blends works perfectly. I think it's lovely!

Anonymous said...

I was admiring the binding before I read your entire post - so I think it's a good choice. Not in love with actually stitching down a binding by hand, but the results are 1,000 times better than any I've had from doing it by machine, and I allow myself lots of time to admire the appearance of it as I work.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

I do love to bind... that being said, I have about 6 here that I just can't seem to get too! I know what you mean about finding just the right binding. I am very picky about my bindings... no light colors, no mater what.. (they get nasty from handling) and I don't want to see a dirty edge around my quilt... ;-) I also like them to POP, but other times, blending in is good too... This may give you that effect. depends on what you want it to do do.. the colors like great together! can't wait to see the whole thing!

Laura said...

I think the binding looks great, so I wouldn't stress about it.

I love the handsewing of the binding too. I think it's one of my favorites parts of quilting. I actually kind of like it when I have a pile of quilts waiting for the handsewing.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I have done the same thing before, got a binding on and most of the hand stitching done and then had second thoughts. I think I know which fabric that is and it is a little softer toned than your fabrics on the front, but when you step back from it and analyze it might hit you differently than close up.

Jodi said...

Looks great to me, although at first I thought more yellow would be good - hard to tell without seeing the whole thing. My daughter, a fairly new quilter, puts her bindings on by machine. After she washed a quilt, it came apart so she asked me to fix it by hand, which I gladly did. Relaxing!

Cathie said...

Stunning! The binding sets everything off nicely - without stealing the show.

Lynn Cohen said...

I too enjoy sitting and doing the binding by hand.
The colors here look fine to me. I love this and the previous quilt very much.

Sherri said...

I really enjoy binding...now...it hasn't always been a love, but now I can say it is! I think your binding choice is fine, too...I agree with Glenna, sometimes binding is a frame, and sometimes it's just as effective blending in.

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

From what I can see of the front, it looks to be only magenta & yellow so I think you have a perfect fit... if there were additional colors in the top maybe you would want a contrasting color? Looking forward to seeing the wholet thing! I do like to sit and stitch bindings by hand, though it does get warm in the summer so I end up doing it late at night in the basement then.

Terriaw said...

This quilt looks gorgeous! I love the pink and yellow combination. And I love that binding, which really does look great with the backing fabric too. I say sleep on it and then go with your gut feeling.

Annette said...

I think it looks great. A beautiful quilt from what I can see. Sometimes I doubt my choices but when I walk away for a bit and come back I usually like it after all. I too like stitching the binding. Relaxing and satisfying to see a project coming to completion.

WoolenSails said...

I love the color and way it goes with the rest of the quilt. I always make a border and use that to make the edge, by turning it to the back and sewing it by hand. I do enjoy the sewing, relaxing and great tv project.

Debbie

Cathi said...

Stitching down the binding is one of my favourite parts of making a quilt. I find it an almost meditative exercise.
I like the binding fabric you're using. I think sometimes when we're working with a fabric as much as we do with a binding, we start to see things in it that either aren't really an issue or aren't really there. When you're finished and look at the quilt from a distance, I bet you love it!

teachpany said...

Hi. I love the colors in your quilt, and think the binding goes well. It seems to make the other colors pop. But it also depends on your purpose. Did you want to make the colors in the quilt bolder and stand out, or make the binding frame it and have the binding stand out?
I probably should handstitch my bindings, since I don't like it when machine stitching misses spots. I prefer to finish quickly! lol. Thanks for a great blog, and asking for an opinion.

Thimbleanna said...

I LOVE the binding process -- definitely my favorite part. I'll bet you'll love that quilt when it's all done!

Simone de Klerk said...

Just like you, I find binding relaxing!
And, I think you chose the perfect fabric for the binding of this quilt, especially when I enlarged the pictures. Too bright pink would not have done justice to the softer pinks and the yellow.
I look forward to see the whole quilt, to get an even better impression.
Have a lovely weekend (o:

Micki said...

I like the binding that you chose! It is lovely.I enjoy all the handsewing of the binding.
Micki

Browndirtcottage said...

Oh I just LOVE to sit and hand sew on the binding. It is the time I think I most get to enjoy/think on the piece I have just finished. Especially if it is going to be a gift...it is a time to relish and enjoy it before it is swooped away to it's new home!
As for your binding in question. From the photos you show it looks ok to me! I don't find any projects you do need to be re-thought!

Unknown said...

I think the binding is absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful quilt!

-- Colleen @ Made by Colleen

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

It's beautiful Jackie! I can't wait to see the whole quilt!

Emily said...

I, too enjoy the process of hand binding for the same reasons...

I kind of like the fabric you chose. I don't find it offensive at all. :)

Munaiba said...

I don't mind the binding you have chosen but if it were me I probably would have gone for that light turquoise I can see in the quilt.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

I think the binding is the perfect match for what I can see of the quilt!

Selvage Quilter said...

I saw this quilt in person today when I brought one of my quilt tops to Jackie for machine quilting. I think the binding fabric looks really nice. And I want to tell you that her hand stitches are TINY!! Like applique!

The quilt on her long arm quilting machine was from Spain! I guess her reputation is spreading!

Kim D. said...

The binding looks great to me Jackie. I hope you love it once it's done. Sometimes less is more.

Annmarie said...

From what I can see, that binding choice is super. Looks like there are lots of fabrics in the quilt top, so an additional fabric for the binding is just right. Can't wait to see the finished product.

LN in TX said...

I like doing the hand sewing of the binding too. I actually look forward to it.

Your binding choice looks good. I look forward to seeing the whole quilt.

Lisa said...

Love hand sewing the binding too! I can't tell if I like the binding or not- you didn't show enough of the quilt! But I could see some really cool looking quilting on there- swirly circle-ey quilting... can't wait to see more!

RG said...

Jackie, I like it!!
I know what you mean about binding sometimes being hard to choose.
I like it because from the pics you've shown, it doesn't draw my eye and it definitely fits in with the colours of the quilt. I think it enhances the quilt.
Yep I like it! For me it works :-)

Do I like binding?
Sometimes... I think I like it best when it is on and done :P

Sharon (Stitches on Mars) said...

Hi Jackie,

Without seeing more of the quilt its hard to tell if its right, but the glimpses you have shown us suggest it will be fine.
Hugs, Sharon

Lurline said...

looks perfect - can't wait to see it finished! Spending some time on mine this afternoon!
Hugs - Lurline♥

wishes, true and kind said...

I love binding by hand, too. Sometimes the binding blends into the quilt on one side and has a higher contrast on the other, but both looks can be very beautiful. I'm sure when the whole thing is finished you will end up loving it :D

joan

Shirleyquilts said...

Jackie, I like the binding you chose very much. It'll grow on you.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I love the binding!

Billie

Kim said...

terrific bright colors......
why do we always second guess ourselves and let those doubts creep in.....I bet its going to be just right. :0)

Happy Sewing

Lovie said...

I hate the final binding of a quilt. I have 11 quilts with the binding machine sewn on, only have to turn to other side and hand stitch. During the summer my quilts grow in number, until winter when I can stand to drape a quilt across my lap and finish the hand-stitching on the binding. Keep waiting for the "Quilt Fairy" to show up one night and do them for me. LOL

Jackie's Stitches said...

Yep, your eyes are going because the fabric choice is wonderful!

I enjoy binding a quilt. I find the process slow though and by that point, I'm ready to have the quilt completed!

Pat K said...

I think the binding looks just fine, pretty quilt!

Retrogirl said...

Jackie,
Your binding choice looks great from the photos! It coordinates well with both the front and back and doesn't detract from either.
Heather
=)

JRSAY said...

I like what we can see of the quilt and binding...the mottle of colors seems to make the quilt colors pop but not a lot.
Thanks for sharing.

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