Blocking before or after binding
 

I'm currently quilting a small challenge quilt for our local guild show. I'm doing matchstick quilting. Because all the quilting is vertical it has mainly shortened the width. The matchstick quilting results in a quilt that has a degree of horizontal stretch in it. I plan to block the quilt at some point before entering the show. Should I sew on the binding and then block or do it in the other order? I'm afraid if I wait to do the blocking after putting on the binding I'll have a wavy binding because I might stretch some parts of the edge at a different rate than other areas of the edge while applying the binding.

Anyone else have some experience they can relate to me? Maybe block before And after binding?

Thanks in advance.

I've blocked before putting binding without any problem.
I followed Geta Grama's advice. You can read about it here.
https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/...r-binding.html

I've done both and it definitely works best before the binding is done.

I'm assuming you have to do a stay stitch around the very outside edge before you wash?

Watson

I never block a quilt. I never make show quilts either.

Watson- I block after quilting and yes,I baste a line of stitching 1/8" in when I quilt on LA. I don't actually get it in the washer, but instead I lay a large sheet of plastic down on the floor, preferably on carpet, lay the quilt down and spray with water, then use a t-square or my laser level/t-square and block it and then use pins (make sure they are rust proof) and pin to the carpet. If I have to block on the laminate, I tape the edge of the quilt down to block it. I only block quilts that I'm entering into a show and then only if it's a little wonky.

Interesting article EasyPeezy. I have never done it her way but it does make sense.

Good question Quilting Chris