Originally Posted by
NoraB
what a timely post. Rryder, I also have the Martelli zip binding and quarter inch foot set-up. I am determined to make it work for me and have bound this week a total of 3 quilts and have 2 more to do. On the third one, it seems to be getting better. How many did you have to complete before it really started looking good? (I think my first two times - the batting that was way too fluffy). My last one was using warm & natural and I really liked that....so maybe that's the key...find a batting that you can get to work and stick with it? How much practice do I need until I feel it's good? I do machine binding for Quilts of Valor and Project Linus and really want them to look nice.
I found that I was able to do a good job with it fairly quickly. The secret is following their instructions very carefully and doing a lot of checking to make sure that the back side of the binding has not worked loose from their holder. i sew for about sixinches, stop and check thta the back of the binding is still inserted properly in the binding tool holder thingy and then continue sewing.
i would not use this system for a quilt that will be shown or entered in competitions, but it does make it fairly quick and easy to do a completely machine sewn binding that looks pretty good and is secure and sturdy enough for a quilt that will get a lot of use.
Rob