Thanks very much. Your suggestion of a trial mini-sample with binding seems very smart, lots2do. I'll do that. I have some pearl cotton, size 8 -- could I use that? And I'll also try to heed your advice to keep my stitches on the looser side, QuiltnLady1, but that will probably be my downfall. I tend to stitch and knit tightly. How loose is "loose enough," I wonder ... I do have a quilting hoop, but have never used it before now.