I am trying to finish off a quilt top and can't figure out how to add a folded strip to it,it's giving me a headache!!!!

is the folded strip your binding?

Ok, if the folded strip is for your binding, this is what i do. I take a long 2 1/2 inch strip, i make sure its a couple inches longer than the length of my quilt, just in case :) , fold the raw edges together, wrong side of fabric together, and iron. Then, lay the raw edges of your strip, still folded, on top of your quilt, line the raw edges of your strip up with the raw edge of your quilt, and sew a 1/4 inch seam through all layers. Then trim your batting to the raw edge. Flip the folded strip over to back side of quilt, and hand stitch in the ditch. Then do the other side of quilt the same. Then when you do the top and bottom, i dont do miterd corners, i just do the top and bottom the same, but have some extra length in the strip, and turn the edge of the strip to cover your raw edge, and sew your quarter inch seam, then at the end of your seam, do the same thing, turn the raw edge to the back, then do the bottom of the quilt the same, and your done :)

Barb---thank you sorry I have been away from computer---no the folded strip is a strip on top of the first peice of border---it was just an idea I had,but not sure how to do it.

It's called flat piping or a flange. Here are directions if you want it between the outside border and the binding. The trick is to lap the corners, not miter them. You could put it between two borders the same way if you wanted to. http://www.quiltmaker.com/tips/tip18/ I think it looks great and seems simple enough to do. Hope this helps.

Wow, I learned a new trick today, never heard of doing that, looks really nice too. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Thank you for your reply and i will try that ---have printed off the information.

It's a lot faster than making and sewing a custom binding too.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean. Seems like this way would be pretty custom, at least to my way of thinking. What type of custom bindings are you referring to?

Several years ago I made a Baltimore Album Quilt using Elly Sienkiewcz's book. It has a lot of Moda reds and greens. I put a red flange around all of my 16 blocks, and along both edges of the outside borders. I also used a red print elonated diamond in the sashing.

This album quilt was invited to the Lancaster Quilt Show in 2007. I didn't expect to win anything, but it was fun to watch visitors lean closer to my work and see them take closeup pictures. You know, the mouse in the corner . . .

The flange addition is a great transition tool within a project, especially when you want to add a spark of color.

I now use this added interest to most of my quilts. Would like to try it along a curved edge.

Suzanne