I am having trouble getting a nice mitered corner in the binding. Every time I always get a little dip in the end of the corner of the miter instead of a nice square corner. What am I doing wrong. I have watched videos and do just like they say but I still get this dip in the corner instead of a nice flat square.

Did you watch Sharon Schamber's video's - because, really, they're the ones that count. Here's part 1 of 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PE0Yq9iGlc


Well, without seeing a picture...

Was the quilt corner square before you put on the binding?

Did you stop at a point, as you approached the corner, that was the same measurement as the width of your finished binding? iow, if your binding is going to finish at 1/4", then you need to stop 1/4". If it's going to be 1/2" binding, then 1/2" before.

Is the fabric for the binding perfectly folded in half?

Again, without seeing a pic, that's all can suggest about why you've got pagoda corners.

My guess it's probably got to do with where you stopped before the corner, but I can't say for sure.

IMHO, the binding is too narrow, or just that the binding is being pulled too tightly. The binding has to be wide enough to enclose the bulk at the corner as well. Sometimes I try to reduce the bulk at the corner by trimming away a little bit.

And my point is, if it's being done correctly, there should be no need to any "trimming" or "tugging" or "adjusting" of the binding/batting/quilt top.

So trimming here isn't going to solve the problem on her next quilt - or even her next corner.

Doing it right isn't any harder than doing it wrong. And that has nothing to do with the quilt police.

We just need to figure out where the op is having a problem - perhaps is not aware of a technique or method - and advise her accordingly.

Not sure what you mean by 'dip'. I didn't have nice corners either. Then discovered that when I folded the fabric after I turned the corner, I was leaving the fold extend just slightly over the edge. That's not a clear description I'm sure, but just make sure everything is lined up perfectly.

if you are using a 3/8" seam to put the binding on, then stop 3/8" before you get to the corner, take the quilt out and turn it around like you're going to sew the next seam when you flip the binding up make sure you have a good SHARP angle, the outside of the binding should be a straight line with the edge of the quilt, when you lay the binding back down on top of the quilt make sure your folded edge is exactly even with the top edge of the quilt, it's better to be 2-3 threads shorter than longer here, put a pin in it to hold it just like you have then sew her down. when you turn it to the back for the final stitching the folds will open opposite each other

Make sure you stop 1/4 " before the end of the side, make a nice triangle , take it out of the machine, make a nice fold over the triangle that is perfectly square with the quilt edge, & don't trim too much of the batting from the corner , leave enough to make it nicely stuffed. Hope that helps!

I have never added pictures so I hope these come through. Here is my problem

it looks like you're pulling too far down when you fold it back to the edged of the quilt

When you flip the binding up to make the fold , is there a true 45 degree angle? If I get careless, and don't make the fold a true 45 degrees, I get what you get. Also the fold along the top edge needs to be flush with the quilt. I sometimes make sure that the top fold is even a few threads above, which gives a really sharp corner.

Scroll down to where Holly is talking about the corners and you will see.

http://fingerlakesart.blogspot.com/2...-tutorial.html

Good luck

I don't see what the big deal is.Take the corner and pinch it in your fingers.Connie in CO

What helps me, is when I get to the 1/4" point (assuming a 1/4" seam) where I stop sewing, instead of just stopping, I sew a diagonal line to the corner. Then I lift up my foot and adjust the binding for the next side. Since I've been doing that, it has made all the difference in my corners.

The big deal is that Blackberry's mitred corners are not working the way she would like and she is asking for help in getting them to look the way she wants.

If the binding is not sewn on a certain way, you can pinch the corners all day long and they won't mitre properly.

People shouldn't be made to feel like they are making a big deal when they ask for help. :)

It looks like you are having trouble with the machine sewing on the top side. Perhaps you are attaching the binding to the back correctly but having trouble turning the corner on the top side. I just posted these pictures on another post, but maybe they will be helpful.

First I cut my binding 2 1/4 inches and press in half with lots of starch. Wetting with starch before I fold helps the fabric stick to it self before pressing and I can get a good press and a stiff binding. After attaching the binding to the back, then fold the binding to the front and place the edge right on the stitching line. I then use my "stitch in the ditch" foot and move my needle from the center position to the right slightly. That way when I run the guide on the stitching line, it catches both the front and the back of the binding equal distance from the edge. The following pictures show how I turn the corner. Hope this helps.

That's exactly what I do. I don't stop, I veer off into the corner and off of the quilt entirely. When I do my fold, for the miter, I put it all the way up, bring it down (hold a pin where the fold will be and check it for completely square before I start to sew again. I start to sew again 1/4" from the top. You can feel where the needle should start there should be no bulk underneath - if there is, you're too high. Also, looking at your miters, you can see it's trying to round itself out. you're pulling that binding down too far. That's why I use the pin at the edge when I bring it back down. Hope that helps.

I don't machine stitch the second time around. I put my binding on the front and hand stitch the back down with a blind stitch. But the poster above did a nice job on the machine stitching for the binding. I'm just not that accurate and would probably miss some of the back...

it is possible that your seam allowance is not consistent in width as you approach the end of the side. This will cause distorted mitres.
Also.....as you are approaching the corner, stop about 2 stitches before you get to your 1/4", 1/2" or 3/8" or whatever your width of seam. This will allow for the fold just as the scant 1/4" will allow for fold in piecing.

I always blind stitch the miter on the back. I thought everyone did it, which was why I didn't mention that along with my other suggestion (to sew diagonally to the corner). Thanks for mentioning this tip.

I press my binding three times. First, press in half before sewing. Next, after sewing warm the seam and then press the binding toward the edge. Last, fold the binding over the edge and press again from the back side.

I cut the binding two inches wide and can still stitch-in-the-ditch from the front side and catch the binding on the back if so desired. I usually finish the binding by hand stitching, but I stitch-in-the-ditch from the front side for charity quilts.

I took at binding class at my local quilt shop and she showed us how to use a little tool called a perfect binding miter by Glenna. You can find one at most quilt shops for $5.00. I don't mind mitering binding any more at all, infact enjoy it. Also website www.quiltsnstuff.net

This is a great tip - I'm going to try it on my next quilt. Thanks :)

Excellent explanation and when done this way the corners simply "fall" into place.

watch sharon schambers video on you tube If we all use her technique we will be masters!!!

Great pics barbrdunn. I think you aren't sewing far enough to the end and maybe pulling to hard when you make the corner?? Good luck. I think the binding just 'makes' the quilt, so I can understand your frustration. Hang in there. I am sure you will get it!!

Thanks for sharing that YTube link - haven't watched all of it, but it looks like it will be a great help. Takes you to #2 & 3, as well as other tutorials of hers.

I bookmarked it in my tutorials - MY FIND OF THE DAY - thanks so much :lol: :thumbup: :lol:

Thank you for providing the link for binding, 1-3 videos. The best I've ever seen!!

Here's a link to ALL her free youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...nschamber&aq=f

You know, when the SSnetwork first came out a few years ago, they were charging a really high crazy price (I can't remember exactly but I think it was over $200 for a semester's membership) for access to specialized videos and lessons. And the site had problems - it was taking hours to download stuff, etc.

I think the technical problems have been fixed.

But now. after viewing all her freebies available on youtube, and really, really being able to take and learn from them - and see immediate results in my own work - I would consider the paid lessons when I get a bit more free time. NAYY.

And if you ever get a chance to see one of her quilts in person - grab it. Even if you have to drive a few hours out of your way to the museum in Paducah. The pictures - which are fabulous - don't even begin to convey the amazing, complex, never-ending details she puts on her quilts.

I'm glad the binding videos were helpful to you. ;-)

My two bits for what is worth is that your binding looks wider than it needs to be. The pictures above should help. This was a good question.

I like to use a decorated stich on the front of my binding, I do this on the sewing machine, have problems with hand stiching. I have tremors so hand sewing it's very diffcult.

Try gluing your binding down first with Elmer's school glue and heat set it with an iron. This way you can play with the corners to get them how you like them without pins or your machine in the way. I love to do this. Glenda

The tips offered seem really helpful!

liked the videos for mitered corners, the best instructions I've seen. Boy typing is the pits for me I'm going through cataract removal surgeries, can't let it keep me off the computer ,so hope you can read what I want to say :thumbup:

Hey thanks for the address. I ended up spending a lot of time looking at other videos as well.

One tip I learned from another guild member that works every time for me is that when you fold your corners (for the mitre) make sure that your backing mitre is folded in the opposite direction from the front mitre.

If the front mitre folds to the left, the back mitre should fold to the right.

I hope I'm expressing this clearly!

Great video, very easy, yet thorough. Didn't know I didn't know so much about bindings! Thanks for the link!

One time my corner is perfect...then next time it's horrible Drives me crazy cause I'm really fussy about the miter. Last night I watched Sharon Shaumbers video and think I have a tip from her that will solve my problem. She presses in a 45 degree angle on the binding when she reaches the corner and then when she stitches to the corner, she stops when the needle hits the pressed line, then she pivots and sews off the quilt. The rest I do like she does so I hope my problem is that where I stop stitching isn't a perfect measure. It's worth looking at, although she spends more time with Elmer's than I would be willing to do.

my question is. does she wash all that glue out???

It's Elmer's washable glue, so it all comes out in the washing, and doesn't (and hasn't for me) cause any damage to the fabric.

I actually didn't even use the washable version, just the regular Elmer's, and I probably put it on a bit thicker the first time than Sharon typically does because I didn't have the super thin nozzle thingie at the time.

[quote=MTS]Did you watch Sharon Schamber's video's - because, really, they're the ones that count. Here's part 1 of 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PE0Yq9iGlc


Wow cool tute. Sounds like a lot of work, but the finished work would be worth it. I always have trouble with binding, going to give this method a try

After trying to describe over and over how I do it, I finally just watched the tute from Ms Schambler. I couldn't say it better, she's right on regarding the corners! And although I don't use glue, I think I'll try her way on the next community quilt that I do

I think the secret to avoiding the ears at the corners is being the smallest bit scant when the binding is folded down going around to the next side. Leave a scant 1/8" of the quilt peeking out from behind the binding fabric's fold. If there is any extra fabric at all at the corners it's gotta go somewhere, so it pooks out