What does this mean?
 

Hi Guys,

I have just seen a quilt in the pictures section that has been "faced" rather than having a binding!

What is this? What does it mean? How is it done?

Over to all you quilt geniuses out there!!!!!!!

Hugs

Caroline

I wondered that,too. I thought maybe it was another term for what some people call birthing, where you sew the backing on and then turn the quilt inside out. I should Google it, I guess.

Caroline, I just did a quick look and found that it certainly not the same as birthing a quilt. The article I found was quite long so I can't really describe it here. Briefly, looked like a narrow strip turned to the back of the quilt. Hopefully someone will give more detail or do you have access to Google search?

I may be wrong, but when you are making clothing, you sew a "facing around a neck or armhole. Right sides together, then turn the facing over to the wrong side and stitch down. I did this with several quilts that I preferred not having a binding show. For the quilt, I did a folded band, placed raw edge to raw edge, stitched and turned, then hand stitched the band. The facing doesn't show at all from the front.

she did the same pattern that I had done... the pattern calls for 'birthing'... i think she was using the term facing for the same method. i've also seen it called the envelope method

I too wondered what it meant then thought pillow case or birthing method.

No, I think facing is different. I've seen it done on small wall hangings where a regular binding is just too much. The quilt is quilted normally with a backing. Then you attach a facing around 4 sides, much like with clothing, only you can make it a little wider than an armhole or neckline facing.

Watched the tutorial. What she doesn't do is understitch the facing (from years of clothing construction). It makes it easier to roll to the back. Trim your seams to varying widths (1/4"-quilt seam & 1/8"-facing seam). Press seams toward facing. Stitch thru all thicknesses on the facing as close to the seam as possible (1/8"). Then follow the rest of her instructions.

Cutting and sewing facings were the parts I disliked the most about sewing clothes. I doubt I'd like it any better in quilting. LOL.