I have been using Crafty Bear's birthing technique for small projects such as tablerunners and table toppers (the method is to put the right sides of the backing and the pieced top together with the batting on either side, sewing all around it with an opening to turn the piece right side out like a pillowcase). It works really well and doesn't seem to present a problem with FMQ (I was worried that I might end up with the fabric billowing).

I was wondering if anyone has tried this with a larger quilt? I just did it with a 48 x 60 baby quilt and it worked very well but not sure how it would work with a larger piece. I am getting ready to start another D9P that will be 72 x 72.

This is how we do charity quilts, using about a 12" gap. We do twins and fulls, however, we tie them, but they lay pretty flat and could be quilted. If you want a small-ish gap, a helper is needed! We roll the sides first, then roll from the bottom as tightly as we can. Once the quilt is turned, we use yard sticks to poke the corners out and make sure the batting lays flat.

Eleanor Burns, who I first saw do this, does it on large quilts. So it should work fine. She machine quilts after turning.

I think you could do it.

Wow, thanks for posting this. I never knew u could do it with small projects. I will be sure to give it a try.

Its excellent for small projects. They go very quickly because you don't have to bind the project and it provides a nice finish. Run a search on Crafty Bear - she showed some of her table runners around Christmas and used the method (thats how I learned).

I have done this on size 44 X 72 a lot when making the pillow quilts love them and am making some for Christmas for brother and sister.

We call it the "envelope" method and use it a lot on our charity 'Angel wraps' ... those tiny quilts that go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Many a little one has gone home with one ... and, unfortunately, many a little one has been buried in one.

Personally, I prefer to see a binding on my larger quilts as I think the binding can add a design element to make the quilt whole.

ali

Ali I agree on the binding but conversely a binding can sometimes detract from the design. So I wanted to be sure I had a method that would work if I didn't want a binding.

Ali I agree on the binding but conversely a binding can sometimes detract from the design. So I wanted to be sure I had a method that would work if I didn't want a binding.

Thanks for posting. I had never heard of this. I have a new frame for FMQ but I did 2 baby quilts last week and was going to baste them tonight. Figured I'd do the fmq table top since they are smaller. I'll try this and see how it works.

Interesting. Ill be watching this!

I've done it on large full-size quilts, but then they were tied, not stitch-quilted.

I also started doing Quilts for Kids about a year ago, and this pillowcase method worked well, was fast and easy, etc., but I really missed doing the handwork, so I went back to binding them all. Love doing the binding - adds a nice touch of color, too.

I was hoping this would work as I will be doing 2 large twin comforters this way, tying one and hand quilting the other. I like bind quilts as I do it all by machine, but if I'm making a comforter, I want to use the pillowcase method as it looks more like a comforter.

most of mine are full but use birthing method with no problems

Some times is works, sometimes it doesn't. Depends on the accuracy of your cutting, matching, etc.

My experience is that when you are going to machine quilt, or hand quilt, if you are birthing a quilt, you have to make sure that the top, bottom, and batting are perfectly aligned and sandwiched. If the bottom is bigger than top, you will be disppointed with the puckers that might happen. I have made about 1000 quillows in my life and birthed every one, tried machine quilting, but ended up being satisfied with tying the quillow. My suggestion is to sew around edges using a walking foot.

Sorry; new to this technique; what do you mean by gap?

The gap is the opening that you use to turn the quilt.

BTW I thought about a walking foot but I simply trimmed all the edges so that everything was aligned, pinned it every 2 inches and sewed using a regular foot. Could have been beginner's luck but no problem with the seams.

You can sew a thin strip to the edge of the top piece to give it a binding look and still use the birthing method which is easy, especially if you plan on tying. The stitching around the edges secures the batting. I think it would be good if you can use spray baste to secure the batting into place before turning.

At the quilting class at the church years ago they done one that was double size. I admit, I was a little skeptical but it turned out very nicely. This may be a great help for people who do not have axcess to a hand quilting frame.

It would work great for potholders to prevent stitching the Heat proof batting.

What kind of batting do you use to get "the comforter" affect?

I use the birthing method most of the time. I have made a queen size quilt for my sister and it came out fine.

JoyceL

For a large quilt I only like it .. if I am going to tie or tack it. It 's way to easy to get puckers on large projest with lots of quilting.
I find machine stitching the binding a large quilt to be the easiest.

Probably a high loft - Mountain Mist makes that

When I make quilts this way I make the back in 2 pieces (even if it is all one fabric) and leave an area in the center of the seam that is back stitched a few stitches on both ends of about 12 inches of large, basting stitches that will be easy to remove. I press the seam to one side and layer up the quilt and stitch all around the 4 sides. I open the seam in the center of the seam on the back and turn the quilt. I close the seam on the back by hand and I never have to deal with that edge on the out edge that is nearly impossible to turn and stitch so it doesn't show.

yup. I use fatt bat, very poofy looking and I think it drapes really nice. machine quilting is not recommended and the hand quilting is going to be a pain, tying is recommended though

Intresting I'll have to try this method! Thanks for sharing!

I've taken a "birthed" quilt, made a faux binding by stitching 1/4 - 1/2 inch from the edge all around the quilt. Then I pin it to the leaders on my longarm frame and do an all over free hand quilting pattern. No problems, but I am careful not to hit the pins at the top and bottom. I pin or clamp the sides with leaders, too. Works well for charity quilts, especially ones with fleece backs.

What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing

I use the "birthing method" almost exclusively for small quilts - table runners, placemats, baby quilts and wall quilts, but not for larger quilts, twin-size and above. It's personal preference, but I think the larger quilts are easier to quilt, then add the binding. You can always try it and see if you like the results.

The only time I did this, it was a queen size biscuit quilt. I do not recommend trying that. (It was a three day wrestling match) I don't see why it would not work for a larger quilt, just remember to measure carefully, and use lots of pins or clips before you sew. I wish you good luck. :-D

Is there a reason this process is called "birthing?"

I did it with a queen size quilt about 20 years ago. I had trouble when I tried to machine quilt it, but I don't think I put enough pins in it to hold it securely. Live and learn.

Thanks for posting this! I did not know one could use this method on quilts and will check out Crafty Bear's lesson.

Using this method would not rule out having the design element that a binding provides... you can still apply borders to your quilt top before sewing the pieces together.

I think it's because you put the quilt top and backing right sides together (with the batting either on the top or bottom), stitch all around the edges leaving an opening for turning, then reach in and pull the right side out throught the opening, sort of "giving birth" to the quilt. I just call it "pillowcase" style (sounds less painful!).

I would think that with a larger piece, just make sure your edge seams are straight and pin liberally. Also check that the corners are sharp. I like this method, also called a knife edge border. Huge time saving step!

When I "birth" a quilt, I take a corner and roll it towards you. Then reach inside and pull the roll out. So much easier to turn right side out than trying to pull the whole quilt out that little opening. Also on the side where I leave the opening, I sew a 1/2" seam, then I trim the batting at the opening down 1/2". This way when you stitch the opening closed, you dont have the bulk of the batting to deal with and also it is nicer to tuck in the 1/2" seam than a 1/4" seam. I dont think I would be successful doing FMQ after it is turned. I only birth quilts on ones Im going to tie.

The one time I've done it years ago in the begining of my quilting career, I messed it up. I thought I had the backing cut correctly but when I started sewing it was wasn't wide enough. I still have it basted in the computer room. DH doesn't realize it's not finished. He uses it in the winter.

I may try again, being very careful to measure several times before I cut.