Hmmmm. Never thought about the clips.

I don't use clips or pins. Once the binding is sewn on it should be just okay to turn it over the edge and stitch it. I've been doing this for years and people have said what great binding I do. Try it and see if it works for you.

I don't use clips nor pins. I like to turn and hold the binding in place with my hand just before stitching it down. I use my sewing needle to give it a crisp edge, kind of like needle turned applique.

You can also use binder clips you buy at an office supply store. They look just like the clips at this site except they have a small clip to open them.

You know that is something I have never done was to pin or clip the binding on the quilt before I sewed it on. Knock on wood I have never had any issues with the method I use but there will always be the first time for everything!

I might just try them out to see if they work.

Billy

I am always getting stabbed or scratched by the pins. The clips I don't I use the hair clips .

I use large paper clips just because we already had those lying around. It helps me to sew a section of 6" to 8" at a time without having to be constantly folding over. Plus you can just slide the paper clips down and not have to start and stop alot.

I have never used clips on binding for a quilt. I like to manage the edges with short lengths of binding and placement. I have also found ironing the binding to the quilt edge helps to keep the binding from pulling off square.

I love this idea! I have used the clips, too, but found that on thicker quilt sandwiches, they popped off or shifted much of the time. I think the clothes pins would stay put better. Thanks for the idea!

Blue Bell I am like you but we look like the odd folks out. Now I am wondering whether using pins or clips make a difference. It seems to me that my binding is the one thing I can always count on coming out just right.

:thumbup:

I took a beginning quilting class at my local LQS. She taught us to use the clips to hold the backing, batting and top down while we placed the curved safety pins in.

My first bindings were done on Christmas stockings-they were bias and very curved so I had to pin or clip. That's when I discovered the clips and it got me in the habit of always pinning/clipping. I never even thought about trying it unclipped but I bet on a regular quilt it wouldn't be bad to not clip it.

I don't use binding clips. I use Elmer's glue. When I put the binding on the quilt - I press it. Then I turn it to the back and put a very thin line of elmer's glue along the edge of the quilt. I then press this down. The corners are mitered as I go. Then, after the binding is glued down, I can take it anywhere to finish (in the car, on a bus, etc.) and there are no pins and/or binder clips to have to worry about, just the quilt, needle and thread.

Hair clips are cheaper than those sold as binding clips and they're pretty much the same thing. In addition to not sticking yourself, you have to stop and remove the pins as you come to them; the clip you just take off and re-clip it further down the binding. Easier and faster.

I have never heard that... I will definatly try it.

The clips are less painful. The pins tend to stick and scratch you and you do the hand work on the quilt. The clips do not scratch or stick you. Believe me.. after being scratched up enough you will appreciate the clips. I am still new to quilting but I do use the clips and love them.

I got tired of sticking my self and getting blood on my quilt. I use hair clips rather then binder clips.

I Use and love my binding clips! They remind me of the little snap barrettes I used to use in my daughter's hair when she was little :) No more poked fingers either!

It's funny how thing go around. I was telling my husband last night about the clips and that I thought I would get some next time i was at the store. I will try the dollar store first.

I have been starching my binding really stiff and I don't have to use but one pin at a time as the bind "folds" down better.

Still going to try the clips.

Dollar stores are a good place to get clips (hair) 3 sizes are avaible.

I saw that tut and wondered about it. Glad to hear you like it. Seems easy and you don't have to worry about pins or clips dropping off.

I've always pinned. I use the binder clips when I'm spreading out the layers of my quilt. I binder clip the backing to the edge of the table and then spread out the batting and then the top. I only pin on the back thru the binding and into the backing after I've sewn it onto the front. Not thru all layers. I always bury the tip of the pin in the quilt to avoid being stuck. Hasn't happened yet. Knock on wood. Never thought to use the clips to hold the binding on. May give it a try.

Personally, I prefer binding clips because I got tired of getting poked when I used straight pins----clips allow for pain free handwork!

Clips are fast and easy to use.

I use clips because I get tired of pricking my fingers on the pins.

I use hair clips> They spring open and close easily. they are really inexpensive (12 for $1) at the dollar store, about $2+ at walmarts. Very easy to use.

I started using the clips about 5 years ago and I will not go back to pins! The clips are handy, you won't stab yourself with them if they fall on the floor you don't have to worry about losing them they are just so much better in my opinion.

I thought of some other clips when you mentioned them but now I realize you are talking about something completely diffrent than I had thought. I will have to try them.

Oh my, I like to pin, but I use the very short applique pins(the kind with the white heads). I can bury the points in the quilt and don't get stuck. I also like to pin one whole side or more and then just stitch along, only stopping for a new length of thread.

Have them in mother's old sewing cabinet, never used.

I use clothes pegs and office clips (I have some big old ones). Hair clips are on my shopping list...I'll use anything except pins...I hate getting stuck with them all the time.

Yes I use them and love them. You can buy them as hair clips at the Dollarstore. They work just as well.

I use the hair clips also. but due to the way i manipulate things I put them on the binding I have already sewed on the quilt ... so the thread doesn't loosen as I sew ... and I sorta tie the thread every 6-8 inches also.

I just do things that work for me.

ali

I LOVE using hair clips. They're so easy to use & quick to remove as you work around your binding. They hold very well, too

Fully agree, office suppliers, much cheaper :thumbup:

I buy mine at Walmart for 89 cents. Have almost 100. Love them. DOn't love getting pricked with a pin every other stitch.

Im new and have yet to bind a quilt but my 1st thought was the office supply clips.... the "new and updated" version of a paper clip. I have been sewing for eons and have used them for many projects. They stay put, undo easily and can be real cheap! I have found many diff sizes at dollar stores and just stock up when i find them. The bigger ones hold 3"-4' thick ream of paper without moving. So they will handle a thick quilt.
Just make sure they dont get "stolen" from the family for other projects!! hehe especially kids doing reports. :mrgreen:

The only thing I don't like about using hair clips instead of the clips at the lqs, is that I found one of my hair clips had started to rust (and I had never used it for anything but this). I thought the lqs was just tryint to upsell their clips when they said these were specially made not to rust your quilt so easily. So, I just bought 3 packages of the quilt clips, spread out over 3 months and using my Joann's coupon each time. I haven't had a problem since. But I love the idea of using large binding clips for the thicker quilts. Going to walmart today!

When putting binding on my quilts, I use hair clips (the cheap metal ones). I just clip a short section of the binding, sew it, move the clip, sew to the clip again, then move again.

Dingle

I learned from my mistakes, mistake of pinning that is. I have new arotic valve and have to take coumadin. When I pin I usually us gloves, or I have all five fingers of each hand with a bandage on. As I moved the quilt around I began getting picks on my knees and legs. I immediately went to Walmart to get the clips, about 3 boxes. They are higher in price then pins, but they don't hurt, or get blood on my quilt. Speaking of blood this might be nice to share, I found out that spitting on your own blood will remove it from anything you get it on including quilts. I then wash them in the wash machine when it is completed. Good luck, I know you will love the clips :lol: Pam from Chippewa Falls, WI. (as stated above, hair clips can be used, but they rust, and rust is hard to get out)