sewnclog

Maybe try a 'small' quilt 10 x 10 or 20 x 20; birth it and bind it; see how it works for you - then let us know.

Sewnoma

I glue-baste my quilts up on a folding table. No tape, no pins. It's quick, and easy on the back and knees! I can even do parts of it from a rolling chair if I'm having a bad back day. Gravity does some of the work, the glue does the rest. I will never baste a quilt on the floor again!

I've always struggled with birthed quilts so I stopped doing them. I always had something baggy, somewhere - but maybe I just wasn't very good at that method. I like Geri B's suggestion to have the backing just a titch smaller than necessary, that might have helped me. Although sometimes the bagginess was on the top, so maybe not!

When I did a birthed quilt, after sewing the edges together (before flipping it) I'd take my applique scissors and trim excess batting away right up to the seam to help make the edges less bulky. Time-consuming, but made the edges look a lot better IMO. If you're thinking of adding binding, this would help reduce some bulk, too.

There's really no "wrong" way - I don't think I'd ever do what you're talking about but that's absolutely not a reason why you shouldn't run with your idea! I think it's great you're experimenting, and maybe you'll come up with a style that is uniquely your own.

klswift

I am not sure why you would want to bind a birthed quilt. When I make one, I do a row of decorative stitching in about an inch to form an 'edge'. If you want to bind it, you would probably need to do a wide binding to capture all the bulk of the seams.

Wonnie

For those who mention bagginess once quilt is birthed.......did this happen around the area you left open in order to turn the quilt ?

dsews2

My opinion is if someone births a quilt then puts binding on that it's a total waste of time to birth it.....actually I'd say you'd just be wasting fabric.......birthing a quilt is usually done because they don't want to do binding......I attempted birthing a quilt a few years ago and had a mess so no more of that for me. I usually bind with just straight strips no mitered corners.


DONITA

Feathers-N-Fur

I have done this. It was one of my early quilts. I used 2 layers of flannel for batting. (First mistake) Then I birthed it beacause that is what my family always did. Then I machine quilted it. Of course nothing lined up properly. Then I thought it was missing something, so I added the binding. I did get many compliments on it but I was never happy with it. 2 layers of flannel gets heavy. So I took it apart. It has a new life now as a weighted blanket for my friends son. I don't remember having much trouble putting on the binding, but birthing it just made life more difficult. That was the last one I ever birthed.

quilttiger

Wonnie, I was intrigued by your question. Then I finally realized I had done some birthing when I went through a phase of making quillows for my family back in 1990s. This was long before I got into quilting.

If you Google quillow instructions or similar words, you will find useful information. Just ignore the instructions for adding a pillow. Binding was not used, but simple straight line quilting with a walking foot will work well.

I liked a couple of answers which suggested making a wider binding strip and avoiding stitching through all the layers this way. Why not try making a few quilt sandwiches and try out the binding in different ways to see if you want to go this route?

Good luck and enjoy!

Wonnie

I am thinking about the negative as well as the positive responses to try to figure out what I should and shouldn't try. I understand that there are those who really find bindings the enemy and I do understand that. However, personally, I believe the old adage if you love what you're doing it ceased to be work. To me.... bindings are fun.... piecing is fun...... quilting is fun.....cutting, not so much but a necessary evil.....sandwiching and basting a real pain (!) and the reason I have UFO's......
Am loving all your responses ....... every one is helpful!

margecam52

I just do a line of stitching 1/4" in from the edge of the quilt. This to ensure the seams don't separate. I agree with others...you birth a quilt to avoid binding.

pewa88

Your quilt and you may finish it as you please. No written rules to follow.