Am finishing up my first quilt and having left the backing about an inch and a half larger all round with the decision to mock bind I'm a bit confused about mitering the corners.

I'm basting and then doubling the fold inward for added thickness pressing as I go, pinning the corners at each fold. Any suggestion for perfectly mitered corners?

I found this link, but am doubling the binding up:

http://www.fabriclandwest.com/quilters%20corner/binding_mock.htm

once you've folded in, treat the two layers as though they were one. use the same method you'd use for any "back as mitred binding".

this is the way i do it.

So after trimming make the double folds on the corners and sides, press, pin and sew. Sounds easy. The instructions pointed out one aspect I hadn’t considered which was item three on the second diagram. I’d been practice cornering to the outer edge rather than giving it a bit to stitch into (go figure). Thanks Patrice, this was exactly what I needed to reinforce the idea.

Do a lot of quilter’s use this technique? It seems the easiest and most practical method to produce an outer binding. I like it because it hints at the backing fabric, though I do suppose a pieced edge would be pretty as well.

i'm tickled pink you found it useful. :P

i don't know how commonly used the method is. my "gut" feeling is that it isn't used as often as most of the others. i haven't used it as often as i should, but that's usually because i too often foolishly forget to choose a backing fabric that would look great as a binder, too.

i have lots of "V8" moments as i execute the final stages of just about every project. :shock: :lol: :?

I've been a tad neurotic on all the fabric purchases (as I am with all things), buying my piecing and backing fabric to match. I suppose that once I start utilizing the scrap pieces different approaches will follow. I'm fond of piece borders, so will give that a go shortly too. The most beautiful pieced quilt bindings to me are the Seminole chevrons, and Prairie points. It’s strange to me how the most well executed quilt top can fail utterly without a good backing, border and binding.

I used the mock binding on the baby quilt that I tied. My corners didn't turn out very well but I was still pleased with the way it turned out for my first quilt. I have two more baby quilts at the quilters now and I left enough of the backing to also mock bind them. I'll post pics once I get them back which should be in a couple of weeks.

Oh kay… so I’ve got it pinned and ready to sew finally. The double corner was easy but took a while to figure what to do first. I encountered a minor disaster that I had to deal with when I accidentally sliced a ½ into the backing, right where I planned to turn it. Repaired and ready to go though, but I’m off to work and it will have to wait. Grrr…

I was thinking I might stitch the corners where they meet on the lower edge at the miter as a cautionary measure. Has anyone done this? 've got the corners pinned but thought it might be better to stitch them.

if it feels right ... stitch it. :-)

Well, I did the binding and all but finished. The corners are less than what I wanted but pretty good. I'm toying with the idea of turning them inward at a 45-degree angle and taking what points there are off just so it looks a bit neater. I liked the experience but am unsure at this point if I'll try it again. Maybe once I get more experience with sewing it will come easier. I did get to use the walking foot, which at first threw me for a loop, but I got the hang of it by the time I made it ‘round the quilt. I must admit, it’s a pretty handsome quilt for someone who is just starting out and doesn’t really know much about sewing. I’ll post a picture after I decide about (and possibly do more to) the corners and wash it.

corners and triangles are among the hardest things to get right. i'll bet it looks better than you think it does, but if you see a way to improve it, that's what you should do. each technique works best for different quilters. that's why there are so many techniques. :wink:

i lost my mind last weekend and started a quilt with way too many triangles. (way too many is defined as "more than one!") it does NOT help that they are all 1/16th too small! didn't figure that out until i was almost through with the first 18 blocks.

never mind. i'll just make 9 3/4" blocks instead of 10" blocks. it's my quilt, dadburnit. i can do what i want.

can't i? :shock:

YUP!!!! :wink:

Patrice, I’ve been reading about triangles and how to figure the size when cutting. It sounds a bit confusing so I’ve decided to make a square, cut it in half on the diagonal, sew it together and measure to figure how big the size of squares for the piece (quarter inch seam already included). A bit unorthodox and backward but I don’t see why it can’t work; and I suppose figuring quarter triangles could be done the same way. I might be figuring all wrong, but if it works, cool. Now watch me get some weird 2 - 3/16th-inch square to work with!

The quilt actually looks nice and I think I’m just going to take a couple of blind stitches on each corner to close them up. Have decided to subtly embroider my initials and the year in the corner with a daisy stitch (I think that’s what it’s called) with a dark thread. I’ll wash and dry it then take pictures for you all. My mind is already at work on the second quilt. Yay!

I have a suggestion regarding making triangles. Take a piece of paper the size of the square of fabric you have chosen to make. Cut it in half diagonally and then fold or cut the seam allowance off. That would give you the finished size. This also would work for quarter square triangles. Hope this helps :) Can't wait to see a picture of your quilt!

the "match" for half-square triangles is easy. just add 7/8ths of an inch to the finished size of the square.

3" block finished.
cut the squares 3-7/8ths inch square
draw a diagonal line down the middle
put that square face down on a square of the contrasting fabric
draw another line 1/4" to the left, and a third line 1/4" to the right of the center diagonal line
sew on the left and right lines
cut them apart

voila!

:lol:

Hi Steve,
I thought I was the only one who preferred binding a quilt (mock binding) that way. I called it "lazy binding" not realizing there was an actual term. How funny. It is just so much easier to do than traditional binding that I often struggle with.
I am new to quilting and that seems easiest. However, I am embarking on a new binding...prairie points. One of my quilts that is ready to be quilted has bright colored pointy stars in it and I think it will enhance the quilt when finished.

I've thought of using prairie points when I get the Hawaiian quilt done, years from now no doubt. I'm also toying with usuing alternating shades of green, like leaves.

OHHH! What a fantastic idea!

Yeah, because I'm new at it this first piece is going to go to make a pillow, just so that I can familiarize myself with the slipstitch and echoing. Then I plan to do a series of small flowers separately and panel them together. So far I've got the material for four color combinations (including the same scheme I'm working on now). I've stayed away from greens other than the celery color since I plan to sash, border and bind with it. I'd like to find some neat old Hawaiian print material for the backing, hula girls or swaying palms.

The color combos I've picked up so far are the celery and Mineola, red and white, royal purple on aqua blue and a bright fuchsia on yellow. I'd like to figure a couple more so as to have six flowers, but am unsure of others that would go. Maybe a gold and brown and royal blue with something else, bright and bold combinations in other words. What will be a challenge is designing flowers that are sufficiently different from each other and not to tough for my skills. I figure the stitching will improve over the course of the quilt and to save the harder ones for last.

Sounds like a project huh? At least the planning and preparation stages are underway and the applique can be done at work away from the patchworks I'm doing.
:D

Better yet, cut the squares 4 1/4 then do as Patrice says. Trim your slightly oversize blocks to exactly 3" with the diagonal very precisely right on. Takes an hour more for 50 some triangle squares, but it's worth it.

tim in san jose

My mom says they received the quilt and took it up to deliver it. Anya (the baby’s mother) and her mom visiting from the Ukraine were very pleased. My aunt and all couldn’t believe it was my first and gave me thumbs up. It turned out that unknown to me the baby’s room was greens and yellows. Cool

One other thing that choked me up totally (yeah, so what, I’m a wussy), they had a dinner party at my folks and afterwards Anya’s mom announced she wanted to make a speech (Anya interpreted the Russian). She said that what make America great wasn’t its wealth or power, but its strong sense of family. Yeah, I know for the most part we as Americans feel a bit like our families are dysfunctional at best, but that an outsider can look to us (Americans) with such admiration blew me away and really touched me. I guess that is why quilting is great as well; it adds to that same sense of family.

Learning to quilt then has then taught me another invaluable lesson: though not perfect, the love we stitch into what ever we do holds together and strengthens that bond. Family and friendship, love and quilting, is a winning combination in my book.

*Applause, applause*!!! That's wonderful Steve. Makes every stitch worth the time it took to make it. :)

Hi All, Patrice I use to use the 7/8th method, but always had some problems with the finished size. I read this method and it works perfect for me. I just add 1 inch to my finished size then when finished with all squares measure and square as needed. You will be suprised how many are the correct size you want. Just though I would through that in! Oh and thanks for the tute on the binding. I have never tried but my next project I will give it a go! Happy Quilting :D

I always add an inch and trim to size....it makes life SO much easier! Sometimes the stitching can be wonky so you need that extra to make it square up!

Steve...touching story! Glad your quilt worked out for you ... did you post a pic?

My MIL always made her quilts with the mock binding....I'm unsure if thats the way I want to do the ones she left for me to finish (another post) or if I will do traditional binding....worst thing is...they are all polyester so think it would be easiest to just do the mock binding and machine stitch them!

Yeah, thats the way I do my HST's. I am okay with regular binding, even do double sided, but if the mock is easier then for some projects why not. I let all know how mine turns out. Think I will try on a table runner.

Very pretty kitty DonnaRae!! Does she/he like to help you quilt?

For sure, right under the feet and more. And if I don't pay attentention she has a great set of cat lungs!

Yeah, I posted it here somewhere but have forgotten just where. I'm going to go ahead and put it on the avatar and try to keep my recent projects posted there.

The Hawaiian quilt (panel) is coming along nicely. I'm unsure how to turn it into a pillow, and finish, though the instructions seem fairly straightforward. Since it is such a small piece I imagine it will only take a couple of days to quilt and get ready. I kind of like the hand stitching on this since it doesn't entail going through tough seams. I've almost got the inner side of the appliqué done and should have it finished before the weekend is out. Will post that when the time comes.

I'm missing my kitty. I've taken care of strays for so many years and now that the last one moved to Toledo it's rather lonely. I'm allergic and can't have them in the house otherwise I'd have gone to the shelter in a heartbeat.

Awesome Quilt Steve :D I really like the colors and the yellow accent, too cool 8) You motivate me to get mine done now!!!!! Can't wait to see your hawaiian pillow top :)

Great Steve. :thumbup: I am interested in seeing your Hawiian project. That's a big leap. And about kitty's, can't you see about medication for the alergy or you already tried? I do not know what I would do if I had to stay away from any of my animals. I only have a dog and cat, but we feed the squirrels (they need to eat too) and the birds and the wild rabbits, so we have all kinds of animals around us. Well it bed time, so I sew for a few, then read about quilting or something relating and go to sleep so tomorrow hurrys up and comes so I can quilt some more :D

Got the interior of the Hawaiian half done today. I had a splitting headache earlier in the day that put me out of commission, but the quilting ended up taking my mind off of it for a while. It was amazingly easy to quilt compared to the last one, though true enough there is a lot more stitching. It was fun figuring out the interior of the leaves. Leslee suggested something other than echoing on the inside. I had an idea of taking a bit of wax paper and laying it on top of the appliqué to scratch ideas on for the quilting. The idea worked really well and I had the stitching planned after only a couple of tries.

I need to figure out the cording on the pillow. The rest of the procedure seems easy enough.

Annmarie, love your avatar. What's the pattern?

Here is the tutorial - a member of one of my other quilting forums made it - it is a great pattern - very easy. I used a 12 inch Carol Doak paper pieced star for the center & went from there.

You should be able to stop the slide show at anytime... just push on the circle between the two arrows...

http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4d5...&blogview=true

Thanks for the link. Pretty Good One!