Ariannaquilts

I made my god daughter's soon to be grand baby a quilt with the intention of doing a scalloped border. Thing is I have never done one and the thing I dislike most about quilting is doing the binding. I absolutely hate bindings. I am interested to know if you could tell me about your experience with this type of binding. Does it take a lot longer to do it, did you run into any problems or issues? I have my bias binding ready and I have Eleanor Burns template for scallops, all I need is information. Can you help? Here is the quilt do you think a scalloped border would look good on it?

maryb119

You will have to make the binding on the bias or it won't lay right around the curves. Binding is part of the quilting process. I always know it's on tot he next quilt when the binding is finished. Beautiful quilt!!

Ariannaquilts

Thank you, like I said I have my bias binding made.

Iceblossom

If you want a good excuse to not do the scallops, the quilt is very angular as it is and the straight line keeps true with that.

How about a compromise and only curve the corners? That way you can try the technique and not drive yourself crazy. Besides, those corner curves are easy, it's the going back up again at the valley that is my tough spot.

The curves do require a bit of fussy and fudging as you go through but it isn't too bad. Didn't really add any time when I've done it but I'm super slow on handwork, I'm not very good at it, and with my vision issues I get cranky! I do as little handwork as I possibly can, but I still put my binding on the front by machine and flip and do the invisible stitch back because I am happiest with the way that comes out.

Tartan

I have done a scalloped border with bias binding. The hardest part for me was marking the scallops without the ruler. If you have the ruler, that’s half the battle. With that being said, some people advise sewing the bias binding on before cutting the edge. Since I figured my own scallops I wanted to make sure that my scallops matched when the quilt was folded so I cut the bottom and one side and used that for the template for the other side and the top. There are several good tutorials on YouTube to watch before you do your scallops.

Gay

You could always skip the bias binding and face the scallops with some of the backing or matching fabric. Much easier.

Mdegenhart

I love that quilt the way it is. It looks very modern. I’d save trying scallops for a different quilt.

Barb in Louisiana

I like your quilt very much with the straight edges. It suits the pattern. It will be easier to fold after washing and more for the baby to lay on if it is squared. And yes, scallops are much more tricky to finish. I don't particularly like corners and having four on a quilt is enough for me. To me, each indent of a scallop is a new corner, but not the same angle as an outside corner. If it were me, I would use all the colors in the blocks and make a straight multi-colored binding. It will be playful and fun.

Grace creates

I think scallops would look good on this quilt, but I also think would look good without scallops. Yes, more work of hand sewing. Do you feel like doing that or will it be a chore not worth doing?

stitch678

If baby's a boy, l'd forget scallops.
When doing scallops, the safest way is to leave the border straight, and Mark the scallop line 1/4" outside/ away from where you want to stitch. Then lay the folded bias with raw edges along the marked line and sew with 1/4" s.a. When going around the outward curve be sure to nearly ease the fabric as you stitch ,then at indenting curve gently stretch the binding. This is because you'll need to have lots of play on outer curves to keep binding flat when handsewing back, and you want less bulk on inside curves to keep it from being too bulky. Also, a gentle in & out curve is way easier to bind than an outward curve followed by a sharp indent.After you've completed sewing the binding to the front and joining it, Then cut just 1/8" outside the marked line. Doing the sewing first and later the cutting allows you to safely stitch without stretching your scalloped border. I made custom drapery& valances for 25 yr. This is the best way.