I am doing binding on my quilt. There is enough of the backing fabric that I can just fold it over on all sides and hand sew it for the binding. My mother just called me and asked what I was doing and I told her that I was doing the binding on my quilt. And she proceeded to say "How are you doing it? You cheating and just folding it over or did you make real binding for it?" in just her normal mean voice she uses with me whenever she talks to me. I told her I just folded it over, no need to waste the fabric when its already there. And I can't afford to buy the extra fabric. So I use what I am able to use. I see no problem with this but she sure does and definitely makes me will aware of that fact.
When I make a quilt, I complete the whole thing before I go onto the next one. I do have a few quilt tops, mostly lap quilts that I have not gotten the backing on. Now she has probably a hundred if not more Tops that will never get done as she only likes to make the tops. But yet she complains and tells me how to do my quilts. Most of the time I can remind myself to just "rise above it" and "this too shall pass" attitude, but this time it seems to have really upset me. Because not only did she say that she also told me that I was wasting all my time making quilts since I don't have the money to get them machine quilted. I tie all of them, but one day, I am going to be able to get one machine quilted. I don't think I am wasting my time not at all. I enjoy making them even though I am not very good at it, but I am learning maybe slowly but I am learning. Okay...that said..."this too shall pass" finally kicked in and now I'm waiting for "Rise above it". Maybe if I fix me a cup of hot tea that will help. LOL :) Thanks for letting me vent.

That's one of the 3 ways I know to finish the quilt - perfectly legit.
You're not wasting your time at all. Tying quilts is an old, old custom.
You know - there are some people, even those related to us, that are just nags. If she's always carping and critical think how miserable she is. Just be happy yourself.

It was traditional to turn the back to the front for binding so as to not waste fabric. My Amish quilting friend does it. It can be done very nicely, mitering the corners.

done all the time.

No it is not cheating this is how they used to do it long ago. It is hard to listen to our moms tell us their own opinions when we know they are not right. Please don't listen to her you have some amazing quilts and there is no right or wrong way to make them.

Lots of people use the fold over method.

Yes it's cheating but I've done it many times! :lol: I like to use a decorate stitch on the front rather than stitching it down by hand because it secures all the edges together. Go for it!

I have done a lot that way. When I need to get one done in a hurry, it works for me. And I consider every one of them a quilt. :!:

It's your quilt and you do it anyway you want. I have a friend that watches her caller ID and if it's mom she doesn't answer if she is not up to it at the time. My mother and grandmother use the bottom for the binding for all the quilts they did. It is a real binding:) I love to tie my quilts also. I think the best quilt is the one done and keeping someone warm:)

stop by and 'breath' any time...don't take it personal...the way you are doing it is an ok method, especially for utility quilts that are being used and loved. there's no reason to cut it off then try to come up with fabric for the binding when the fabric is right there. look forward to your next project, you are finishing another one and that all in it's own is A WONDERFUL THING!

IGNORE YOUR MOTHER! Lots of people on the QB bind their quilts in exactly the way you're proposing, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it!

I bet your mother envies your ability to finish what you start. In time you will rise above her snide remarks, but I can sure understand why you're angry right now.

Know that we're all with you in spirit and urging you to quilt in your own way!

I see nothing wrong with it I have done a couple of quilts that way and got lots of compliments on them. Besides makeing quilts if a hobby for you and the right way is any way you want to do it and what pleases you. Thats why it is called being creative.

Do it your way. Some people don't appreciate our craft/hobby/obession. I have been sewing and "quilting" for years and given plenty away that were not Professionally quilted. I just had my "first" quilt professionally quilted. Hang in there.

I have done it that way. Not my preferred method at all, but there's nothing wrong with it. I think we just do what we can with what we have at the time.

There are no rules! It is your creation and you can make it any way you want!

I'm no big fan of binding so I do it that way some times. I am trying to get better at binding, but I'd sure do it the fold over way again if I was short on fabric, time, money or ambition.

Your Mom is a piecer, you are a quilter! enough said!

No, it is not cheating. When I took my binding class at the LQS, this is one of the ways that was shown, demonstrated and taught.

The way you are doing it is the way I was taught! And my Aunt was a quilter! We folded the back over and we made it a family affair to tie the quilts! That was over 40 years ago! I still have one thats in my closet - hasn't been used in years. My son has one that we have replaced the backing fabric twice and the Army wool blanket (batting) once. He loves it.

I never even knew about "binding" until I was nearly 50! If my Aunt was still alive, she would be chewing me out for wasting fabric making a binding when there was plenty of perfectly good backing material!

On my quilts that I use flannel, fleece or minkee on, I fold the back over to the top and hem it. You can do a search on several diferent ways to miter the corners. I reduce the bulk in mine by slicing off the corners. I can't post pictures so I'm not sure I could explain it clearly.

I no longer use a blanket for batting, but sometimes I will use flannel instead of batting. Or, if the backing is a heavy fabric, I won't use any batting.

It's your quilt, you get to decide what method you want. And opinions are like hineys - everyone's got one!

My husband and a couple of the ladies I go sew with on Tuesdays also says that they think my mom is envious of me because I do finish my projects. Thanks everyone for the encouragement...Now I will head off and make us all some Pineapple Shortcake Cupcakes and some Hot Chocolate for all of you in the Cold. ;)

OMG--you've broken a quilting RULE?? Off to quilter's prison with you! Perhaps you could remind your mother that your quilts are your creations and you will darn well make them any way you like! The enjoyment of the hobby comes from the creative process, and once you start imposing too many rules on that process you suck the life right out of it. Are you happy with your quilts? Are the recipients?

Or, perhaps you could tell your mother that she's right, that you're going to give up quilting until you can afford to do it right . . . but that you're seriously considering becoming a stripper because not only is it a beautiful "art form" with no rules, but also so you can earn money to conform to hers!

The definition of a quilt is it has a top, batting of some kind and a backing. It is then tied or quilted to hold the sandwich together. I have never read that the edges have to be finished in a certain way. :wink: :D:D:D

It's your quilt - so you own the way you finish it. And you can always say you do finish! There are some people who think that having a quilt quilted professionally is cheating! Now - what would your mom say to that! :lol:

Sorry that she has to be negative. I understand how it can be upsetting, but you have a good attitude, some days we're stronger than others. Hope that tea helped. The way you make your quilts is your style!! There is no right or wrong way. You bind yours the way my MIL did hers and my mother made me a tied quilt that she 'enveloped'. All wonderful quilts, that offer love and warmth. Stay strong.

I have binded several quilts like that before, I think it is a bit harder but, you do it however you want and not worry about what SHE thinks. No quilt police here. I think Hubby and others are right, jealousy causes some people to react in different ways.

Oh good grief! Eleanor Burns shows how to use the backing as binding in one of her shows (it is probably in a book too) and if she is not a real quilter then I don't know who is.

Moms come in all sizes and personalities. We have to prayerfully become a better mom to our kids. I too envy the gals and their moms who are close on this board. My Mom didn't like the quilt I made her and told me so with my husband in the room. I'm glad that he was there because I was so shocked, I had a hard time recalling the event. But he didn't. He told everyone,"Guess what my Mother in law said..." Up till then he was the one who would encourage me to visit and call. I went searching for it two months later while she was in the hospital and found it in a suitcase.

I agree whole heartedly.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5091791_self...d-corners.html


forward to your mother. there are loads more on the same subject, but just one should remind her that even mothers don't know everything.

( http://www.lorettaalvarado.com/binding.htm )
( http://www.quiltqua.com/articles/sel...tered-corners/ )

sit down with your mom and ask her why she needs to make you feel small. the answer may surprise you, and the question may surprise her.

That seems to be like the smartest way for this one since the material is there!

Agreed....

Living in WAshington,DC, I go to the Smithsonian ev ery chance I get to get my creativity kick. GueSshow the old, old quilts are finished? Right on, Baby! Tied and turned back binding. Next time she mentions it, let her know you are doing it the original way quilts were made. Don't let anyone upset yOu,ever.

Its your quilt..its your creation...you do it any way you want and NO its not cheating

I can't afford to have mine long armed either, and I don't care. The people I will give them to will appreciate the warmth and love in them, and I really don't think they will care if they are perfect or not.

As far as the binding goes, I think that the way you amending irbid very sensible and economical. Don't let her get to you. Quilting is supposed to be fun!

Sweet Deanna, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with using the backing material for your binding, and tieing your quilts. Several of mine were done both ways. That's how quilts have been done for MANY years.

I'm sorry your Mom is so negative to you. As you said, "rise above it". I know that can be hard sometimes, but when she is doing this, try closing your eyes, breath in and out, slowly, and think of something pleasant. Block her voice out. Have a good evening. Big hugs sent your way. Sandy

Critical people are angry people. and angry people are scared people.
Scared she can't do it at all.
Scared she didn't teach you well enough (in anything).
Scared of criticism that it isn't "right" so she doesn't do it at all (such as finish her own quilts).
Scared if she doesn't criticize first she'll be criticized (for something she's done that she perceives is not good enough).

Scared people need reassurance that they are in the presence of people who are quite confident/comfortable with what the scared person fears.....they need to see that *someone* isn't scared like they are. Be that person for your mother, maybe she'll eventually be able to relax and accept that you know exactly what you're doing. Or are at least compleely comfortable with how whatever is working out.

Her comments are way more an indication of how she's feeling than how you're doing!

Jan in VA

Next time she opens a can of soup, corn, green beans, or cooks anything from the store, tell her shes cheating.

One of a few ways to do binding, you're not cheating.

I have heard it called the "envelope" mdthod. If it's used enough to have a name, it's OK in my book.

Is it cheating or is it being FRUGAL and resourceful...