Would it be a disaster if I sewed on the binding before finishing the quilting?

I have quilted the "middle" of a lap quilt; just the borders to be done. However, I need a break from the FMQing and I'd like to do the handwork of sewing on the bindings. Seems like it's ready enough, but am I asking for trouble?

Thanks in advance.

if you sew your binding on before finishing your quilting you will have puckers-(baggy areas) in your borders- the reason for working from the center out is so you can smooth it out as you go and have everything smooth even around the edges- if the edges are already finished the fullness has no where to go.

I agree!

That's what I was going to say--you explained it better.

hhmmm makes sense to me.

ditto

the quilting, especially if dense, draws in the fabric. thus, you will have too much binding on the edges.

And if your quilting is not the same density across your entire quilt, you may need to do a bit of re-squaring before binding.

Ladies, could she baste it and be OK? I honestly don't know. I do know I agree and I wouldn't bind it until at least some sort of stitching is there...

Basting won't help the quilt from drawing in due to the quilting process :wink:

Over all, it is usually better to make the binding the last step :D:D:D

I ALWAYS finish my quilting before adding the binding HOWEVER....my friend cuts & sews the binding to the quilt top before ANY quilting is done..... it works.... (for her)

Just did a quick search and I see she's not the only one. IF I add (in rare cases) the binding before all quilting is done.... I will have stabilized all the blocks right out to the border.... BUT.... looks like there's alternatives to that too. So I guess it's with everything..... we need to try this & that & see what works best for us..... My best advice is.... if you want to experiment with these different techniques...take it SLOW....

Try it for yourself. I wait to add my binding so everything is nice and smooth. Don't need any more lumps or bumps!;)

my trial was an abject failure will never try that again

The binding is like saying "The End".

Don't do it!!! good rationale above!

Confession: When I back a quilt with minkie, it's so linty that I baste, then wrap the backing around and sew the binding down on the front immediately. Done it 3 times now and I feel a little lazy when I do it but I haven't had any puckering at all. I don't do heavy quilting though, that could be a factor...

Ditto ditto ditto to most of what's been said ... and particularly, agree with FlyingVGoddess to just take a break and go work on something else til you are in the right frame of mind to continue. If you're not, you won't do a good job and will be disappointed at the results later. Good Luck!!

Puckers and allot

If you sew the binding on before all of the quilting is done you may have a problem being able to square your quilt, because the edges may not lay flat. I would finish the quilting first.

I just finished a quilt that has prairie points. The direction for putting prairie points on said that they needed to be attached before the quilting. So I did some of the stable anchor stitching, then added the prairie points and finished the rest of the quilting. It worked.

I have nothing to add except this is why I always have multiple WIPs. If I feel getting burned out on one just move to another!

I've done A LOT of FMQ and I wouldn't do that if I were you. If there's anything that needs to be adjusted to the quilting as you go, and the binding is done, you're stuck. If you need a break fro FMQ, maybe get a wool applique kit and do that. That usually takes care of my need to do hand stuff for a while!

Don't mean to be against the flow. At our Quilt guild last year our LQS did a trunk show of her kits, and projects. She had at least 3 full size and queen sized quilts that she had pieced, spray basted, and bound. She says she does this alot, she quilts them when she has time to LAQ. Asked if she ever had puckers, and she said No. and the spray basting keeps it together unless it gets washed.
Just saying different strokes for different folks.
I have not tried to bind without quilting first.

I always sew the binding to the quilt top as soon as I'm finished with the top. Make sure the side edges of the quilt are the same length and the top and bottom edges are the same length and then sew the binding on. Putting the binding on right away prevents the quilt top edges from stretching and/or fraying. Sewing the binding to the backing is only done after quilting is complete. Happy Quilting!

i agree 100 %

Ditto!!

I baste my quilts then sew on the binding then put it on my quilting frame. Keep in mind I was self-taught and only hand quilt so my quilts will be on a frame for a long time. I tried it after once and my children pulled pieces of batting out. I never had problems with one puckering.

My experience is that if you baste it well, you can bind it before all the quilting is done. But I agree with Flying_V_ Goddess that it is a good idea to take a break.

I usually quilt up to the border stage and then add the binding so that there is just the final border to quilt. Provided the quilting is not too dense I don't think it matters.

I didn't realize you could put a quilt on a LA machine after it is already sandwiched...

BTW, I finished with the quilting and am ready to sew on the borders...will post a picture soon (hopefully).

yes

I frequently put the binding on before completing the quilting with no problems, but I spray baste my quilts and that makes a big difference.

yes...yes you are

the 80 year old lady that does my long arm quilting prefers the binding to be sewn on the quilt top before she does the long arm work, that way she quilts right to the edge of the quilt top, and it does look nice; then the binding just gets mitered on the corners as it's turned

sorry but I agree.