I have a project that I'm working on as a Christmas/ Retirement gift for my dad. It's my first quilt (well, it's really a wallhanging but that's besides the point) and so I'm not really sure about some things. I know how to baste, I know how to machine quilt, and I know how to do binding. But, what I need to know is, can I baste it with spray baste and then put the binding on so that it really looks almost done when I give it to my Dad for Christmas? I'm planning on taking it back afterwards and then machine quilting it, but I'd love to have it look more finished. It's 40x40, if that matters.

You have any idea what kind of quilting design you will do? Like stitch in the ditch or free motion?

I'll be doing free motion in the center and the outer border, and maybe some stitch in the ditch in the inner border.

yes you can. you could also baste the binding, too. that way, if the top stretches a little once you start the machine work, the binding will come off easily; you can smooth and trim as normally, then put it back on.

I had real good luck with the birthing method on a 45"X60" John Deere toddler quilt this week but I quilted it by marking diagonal lines with masking tape.

Could I baste the binding, then baste it around to the back too? Or would that just be asking for trouble?

You sure don't have enough time to quilt it before giving it to him.

The birthing method? I haven't heard of that

That is where you layer the quilt with the top and bottom right sides together, place the batting on top, sew around the edges leaving an 8" opening on one of the long sides...reach thru the opening and turn the quilt inside out. Slip stitch the opening edges together then quilt...no need for binding as your edges are finished.

I've got another project I'm sewing tonight before bed, then tomorrow I have packing, kids to take care of, church, cleaning, and someone coming over for dinner who will stay until pretty much bedtime. And then, Monday morning, we leave to drive 8 hours to my inlaws, where I'll have the space in a semi clean garage to spray baste and to sew on binding if I have the time. But we'll be in a house filled with, oh, 10 adults, 2 teenagers, 3 toddlers/babies, and an almost potty trained puppy until Christmas.

Also, it's my first quilt and so I've only done a small amount of practice machine quilting. I'm not so worried about the free motion stuff, but there is a lot fused applique that I need to blanket stitch down (yeah, forgot to mention that earlier). So yeah, I think it'll take me some time and I'd rather not stress over it. Besides, as of a few weeks ago, my dad wasn't retiring until March, so it's his own fault that he decided to retire next week and now it's not going to be done.

Thanks for the explanation of what the birthing method is. I'm really quite partial to the binded look for quilts, though. :)

Sounds like you have a pretty full schedule...good luck on whatever you decide to do.

Thank you for asking the question. I didn't think binding before quilting was possible. I have done the birthing method and love it.

OK, I am gonna take a chance of offending some quilters here. Have you considered tying the quilt? I have tied the ones I have made because I haven't had the guts to try machine quiilting and cannot do it by hand. It might not be your preferred method, but it would be faster.

Now, having stuck my foot in it, how do y'all feel, in general, about tying quilts?

Thank you auntluc hmmmmm Binding has always terrified me LOL I figured it was something I was just gunna have to deal and cry and get mad and keep going ...I really like the birthing method. Can you do a double seam to give it the look of binding?

I tie quilts all the time. I like to tie them inconspicously which is an art in itself........lol. I'm still working on a quilt I started this summer which I am hand quilting and sometimes wish now that I had tied it but it is done with oriental fabric and I wanted it to be special. It is over half done now.

The nice thing is there is not right and wrong way to finish a quilt.......tie it, hand quilt it, machine quilt it.......I truely feel that the quilt let's you know what it wants you to do........kind of zen like......hehehehehe

I like to use painters tape versus masking tape. It comes off easier.

The quilts I birthed I tied. It still looks like a quilt to me!! Besides, I haven't done that much hand quilting and no machine quilting because I'm new at this, but don't we actually give "birth" to every quilt we make? Teehee

Here are my thoughts. Finish the applique work first. I would make sure the backing is slighty larger than the top so you can trim and square it up after machine quilting. Spray basting works well enough so you shouldn't have to sew/baste it also.
Binding isn't as hard as you might think. Here's a lesson on binding, if you have time. Good luck!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7Trk6J2Vw

Sooo if you use the spray basting do you still pin, I've never used the spray.

Only if you feel uncomfortable with the spray basting. If you accidentally shift the fabrics, you can lift one side and smooth it out again. It stays rather sticky for a while.

In my machine quilting class, our teacher said you can quilt any time, even after the binding is on. I have a first quilt that needs more quilting so I was glad to hear that. Can't wait to see your pic?

judee

No, you don't have to pin at all which is the great thing about spray basting.

judee

Thanks for the info on the spray basting.. I 'll have to get me some!!

Mplsgirl, I agree totally! I guess I am more a piecer than quilter, because I have not learned to quilt them myself. I hand quilted a cheater quilt many years ago. Now, I have damage to my hand and don't think I could hand quilt. And I tried once to stitch next to the ditch and really uglied up a very pretty quilt I had made! And I cannot afford to have my quilts machine quilted by others. My SIL did pay to have one I did for him professionally quilted and it is fantastic...wish I could put it in a show! But, for now, for me, tying works...and I kind of like that style, too.

Just keep in mind that if you don't do the machine applique first, before you sandwich the quilt.. unless you take it all apart --- all those stitches are going to show up on the back of the quilt..

If it were me, I would present him with ONLY the quilt top, unfinished like it is with an explanation that I will take it back and finish it for him. This way give you the leeway to make other changes and make sure it will be perfect for him when the final presentation is made.

I am sure he will love it regardless of how you present it to him, because you made it with love.

Jacke

I made a large quilt for my daughter for Christmas and didn't have time to quilt it so I sprayed it well and put the binding on it. I will machine quilt it later! I've done it before and it works if the quilt is sprayed well.

Here's myquilt: http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/14491.page

I had no idea I was "birthing" :lol: but I've used it for a long time, especially when I make a knock-around, drag-around quilt for kids. I make a half-inch or five-eighth inch seam and then once it's turned to the right side, I top-stitch a little wider than the seam. For instance on the half-inch seam, I top-stitch about five-eighth -inch around the edge. For a five-eighth inch seam, I top-stitch about three-fourth inch around the edge. It's a nice edge and looks like a binding. Just be sure to use a walking foot. Good luck and congratulations for taking on the challenge to have it done for Christmas. I started a Christmas quilt the day of our snow (two weeks ago) and, as of 8 o'clock this morning, it is DONE. Well the label will have to wait until after Christmas. I decided not to sweat the small stuff.

I have tied many quilts, especially if the quilt needs to be done in a hurry. I have found the 'international tie' works out great and is very neat.
I would not bind a quilt and then hand or machine quilt it.
Good luck.
Jem

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the "international tie"? I could look it up, but you sweet gals probably already know the answer and will be so kind as to reply. Thanks in advance. And Merry Christmas to you and yours.

I have never tried this but would like to....my main worry would be rippling between the quilt and the binding cuz quilting does pull the quilt up some....let me know how it works..Linda

If you use a special foot for stitching in the ditch you will find it much easier. The foot has a piece down the middle of the foot that pushes the fabric away on one side of the seam so that your stitches stay "in the ditch."

When I do binding on a childs quilt, I machine sew the binding on, then I turn it & select a decorator stitch on my machine. When I sew with the fancy stitching, it shows on both sides & looks really great. So far, I have had good luck with this method.

Happy New Year,
Cheryl