What to do? lots of questions
12-04-2009, 06:26 PM
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elk River, MN
Posts: 212
It's me again- with more newbie questions.
The top of my quilt is 6 long strips, 9in wide, which, in retrospect, I would never do again, but didn't really happen on purpose... I can't tell if I'm getting them lined up correctly. How can I line them up to be straight not just to eachother, but as a finished product?
Next. Once I get that all sewn together, my batting/backing all lined up, where should I start pinning? in the center? I got basting pins- do I really need to pin every 4 inches or can it be further apart?
-I am machine quilting it, down the ditches between the 6 strips, then the plan was to ditch again every 9in or so (because of my blocks). That's why I'm wondering about pinning. Once that's done, I was going to do a little hand stitching, but not much.
Next next. I found pre-cut/rolled binding today at JoAnns in a patterned-not-plain-fabric. I believe it started at 2 1/2 inches wide, is rolled and pressed in half with one folded edge and one raw edge. I obviously have to fold the raw edge under- is there a 'set' size that my binding should be once it's finished? Do I fold and press that raw edge into itself until it touches or just about touches the center fold, or further out? Do I leave myself some extra batting/backing to fold in there, or not so much?
Thank you all. Sorry for all the questions, I know I'm just in the new-quilter-panic mode, but I am such a perfectionist. I don't want to find out later, DOY- wish I would have known that!- about silly, simple things.
THANK YOU!!!!
The top of my quilt is 6 long strips, 9in wide, which, in retrospect, I would never do again, but didn't really happen on purpose... I can't tell if I'm getting them lined up correctly. How can I line them up to be straight not just to eachother, but as a finished product?
Next. Once I get that all sewn together, my batting/backing all lined up, where should I start pinning? in the center? I got basting pins- do I really need to pin every 4 inches or can it be further apart?
-I am machine quilting it, down the ditches between the 6 strips, then the plan was to ditch again every 9in or so (because of my blocks). That's why I'm wondering about pinning. Once that's done, I was going to do a little hand stitching, but not much.
Next next. I found pre-cut/rolled binding today at JoAnns in a patterned-not-plain-fabric. I believe it started at 2 1/2 inches wide, is rolled and pressed in half with one folded edge and one raw edge. I obviously have to fold the raw edge under- is there a 'set' size that my binding should be once it's finished? Do I fold and press that raw edge into itself until it touches or just about touches the center fold, or further out? Do I leave myself some extra batting/backing to fold in there, or not so much?
Thank you all. Sorry for all the questions, I know I'm just in the new-quilter-panic mode, but I am such a perfectionist. I don't want to find out later, DOY- wish I would have known that!- about silly, simple things.
THANK YOU!!!!
12-04-2009, 06:46 PM
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
Originally Posted by deedles215
It's me again- with more newbie questions.
Next next. I found pre-cut/rolled binding today at JoAnns in a patterned-not-plain-fabric. I believe it started at 2 1/2 inches wide, is rolled and pressed in half with one folded edge and one raw edge. I obviously have to fold the raw edge under- is there a 'set' size that my binding should be once it's finished? Do I fold and press that raw edge into itself until it touches or just about touches the center fold, or further out? Do I leave myself some extra batting/backing to fold in there, or not so much?
THANK YOU!!!!
Next next. I found pre-cut/rolled binding today at JoAnns in a patterned-not-plain-fabric. I believe it started at 2 1/2 inches wide, is rolled and pressed in half with one folded edge and one raw edge. I obviously have to fold the raw edge under- is there a 'set' size that my binding should be once it's finished? Do I fold and press that raw edge into itself until it touches or just about touches the center fold, or further out? Do I leave myself some extra batting/backing to fold in there, or not so much?
THANK YOU!!!!
12-04-2009, 06:48 PM
#3
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 2,298
Originally Posted by deedles215
It's me again- with more newbie questions.
The top of my quilt is 6 long strips, 9in wide, which, in retrospect, I would never do again, but didn't really happen on purpose... I can't tell if I'm getting them lined up correctly. How can I line them up to be straight not just to eachother, but as a finished product?
pins, pins, pins - pin like crazy before you sew
Next. Once I get that all sewn together, my batting/backing all lined up, where should I start pinning? in the center? I got basting pins- do I really need to pin every 4 inches or can it be further apart?
no (not further) - you need lots of pins. Start in the center and work your way out. Klue gave us a great tip a while ago to roll a marble around under your quilt as you pin to help lift it to make putting the pin in easier.
Here's a link to the picture she posted: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-20874-3.htm
-I am machine quilting it, down the ditches between the 6 strips, then the plan was to ditch again every 9in or so (because of my blocks). That's why I'm wondering about pinning. Once that's done, I was going to do a little hand stitching, but not much.
Next next. I found pre-cut/rolled binding today at JoAnns in a patterned-not-plain-fabric. I believe it started at 2 1/2 inches wide, is rolled and pressed in half with one folded edge and one raw edge. I obviously have to fold the raw edge under- is there a 'set' size that my binding should be once it's finished? Do I fold and press that raw edge into itself until it touches or just about touches the center fold, or further out? Do I leave myself some extra batting/backing to fold in there, or not so much?
cut your quilt edge flush once it's quilted, then match the raw edge of the binding to the raw edge of your quilt and sew on the binding. Bring the folded edge around the quilt edge and hand sew it down. Some people like to machine stitch this as well.
Here's a link to a video that is easy to follow and will give you a finished continuous piece around your quilt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7Trk6J2Vw
Thank you all. Sorry for all the questions, I know I'm just in the new-quilter-panic mode, but I am such a perfectionist. I don't want to find out later, DOY- wish I would have known that!- about silly, simple things.
THANK YOU!!!!
The top of my quilt is 6 long strips, 9in wide, which, in retrospect, I would never do again, but didn't really happen on purpose... I can't tell if I'm getting them lined up correctly. How can I line them up to be straight not just to eachother, but as a finished product?
pins, pins, pins - pin like crazy before you sew
Next. Once I get that all sewn together, my batting/backing all lined up, where should I start pinning? in the center? I got basting pins- do I really need to pin every 4 inches or can it be further apart?
no (not further) - you need lots of pins. Start in the center and work your way out. Klue gave us a great tip a while ago to roll a marble around under your quilt as you pin to help lift it to make putting the pin in easier.
Here's a link to the picture she posted: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-20874-3.htm
-I am machine quilting it, down the ditches between the 6 strips, then the plan was to ditch again every 9in or so (because of my blocks). That's why I'm wondering about pinning. Once that's done, I was going to do a little hand stitching, but not much.
Next next. I found pre-cut/rolled binding today at JoAnns in a patterned-not-plain-fabric. I believe it started at 2 1/2 inches wide, is rolled and pressed in half with one folded edge and one raw edge. I obviously have to fold the raw edge under- is there a 'set' size that my binding should be once it's finished? Do I fold and press that raw edge into itself until it touches or just about touches the center fold, or further out? Do I leave myself some extra batting/backing to fold in there, or not so much?
cut your quilt edge flush once it's quilted, then match the raw edge of the binding to the raw edge of your quilt and sew on the binding. Bring the folded edge around the quilt edge and hand sew it down. Some people like to machine stitch this as well.
Here's a link to a video that is easy to follow and will give you a finished continuous piece around your quilt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7Trk6J2Vw
Thank you all. Sorry for all the questions, I know I'm just in the new-quilter-panic mode, but I am such a perfectionist. I don't want to find out later, DOY- wish I would have known that!- about silly, simple things.
THANK YOU!!!!
12-04-2009, 07:03 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
Posts: 58,856
Originally Posted by deedles215
It's me again- with more newbie questions.
The top of my quilt is 6 long strips, 9in wide, which, in retrospect, I would never do again, but didn't really happen on purpose... I can't tell if I'm getting them lined up correctly. How can I line them up to be straight not just to eachother, but as a finished product?
Next. Once I get that all sewn together, my batting/backing all lined up, where should I start pinning? in the center? I got basting pins- do I really need to pin every 4 inches or can it be further apart?
-I am machine quilting it, down the ditches between the 6 strips, then the plan was to ditch again every 9in or so (because of my blocks). That's why I'm wondering about pinning. Once that's done, I was going to do a little hand stitching, but not much.
Next next. I found pre-cut/rolled binding today at JoAnns in a patterned-not-plain-fabric. I believe it started at 2 1/2 inches wide, is rolled and pressed in half with one folded edge and one raw edge. I obviously have to fold the raw edge under- is there a 'set' size that my binding should be once it's finished? Do I fold and press that raw edge into itself until it touches or just about touches the center fold, or further out? Do I leave myself some extra batting/backing to fold in there, or not so much?
Thank you all. Sorry for all the questions, I know I'm just in the new-quilter-panic mode, but I am such a perfectionist. I don't want to find out later, DOY- wish I would have known that!- about silly, simple things.
THANK YOU!!!!
The top of my quilt is 6 long strips, 9in wide, which, in retrospect, I would never do again, but didn't really happen on purpose... I can't tell if I'm getting them lined up correctly. How can I line them up to be straight not just to eachother, but as a finished product?
Next. Once I get that all sewn together, my batting/backing all lined up, where should I start pinning? in the center? I got basting pins- do I really need to pin every 4 inches or can it be further apart?
-I am machine quilting it, down the ditches between the 6 strips, then the plan was to ditch again every 9in or so (because of my blocks). That's why I'm wondering about pinning. Once that's done, I was going to do a little hand stitching, but not much.
Next next. I found pre-cut/rolled binding today at JoAnns in a patterned-not-plain-fabric. I believe it started at 2 1/2 inches wide, is rolled and pressed in half with one folded edge and one raw edge. I obviously have to fold the raw edge under- is there a 'set' size that my binding should be once it's finished? Do I fold and press that raw edge into itself until it touches or just about touches the center fold, or further out? Do I leave myself some extra batting/backing to fold in there, or not so much?
Thank you all. Sorry for all the questions, I know I'm just in the new-quilter-panic mode, but I am such a perfectionist. I don't want to find out later, DOY- wish I would have known that!- about silly, simple things.
THANK YOU!!!!
As to pinning, if you do not pin your layers enough, or closely enough, you may end up with puckers on the back and you won't know until you turn the quilt over. Start pinning in the center and work your way out. When SID I try to keep the pins out of the ditch areas so I don't have to take them out as I go.
Check your quilt over carefully when you are done pinning to make sure it is laying nice, flat and smooth.
12-04-2009, 08:16 PM
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Western Mass.
Posts: 55
deedles215 It sounds like your binding is ready to go AS IS. First you try to square up your finished quilt up. cut all 3 edge layers off evenly (top, batting, backing) DO NOT turn under unfinished edge of binding. Just lay it along the TOP with that edge even w/ edge of quilt, right sides together, (It will be sort of upside at this point, and pinning as you put it around the whole edge of quilt. Make sure NOT to catch any of the other folded edge!. Leave at least 2 inches extra at the end for turning under when you get to that point when sewing, so they overlap. Sew these 2 pieces together w/ (with) a 1/4 inch seam. This should insure that when you bring the other edge(already turned under) over to the back side that your pre folded center edge will match the very edge of your quilt sandwich and the very (folded) edge will line up with the edge of the front binding. Or close enough as it won't show. Then by hand take tiny stitches along very edge of back binding to sew it down. Then again, at this point. if you are real "gutsy" just try to match the edge of back binding to edge of already sewn front binding--sew on the machine. Have good luck and have FUN.
imak
imak
12-04-2009, 08:32 PM
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Western Mass.
Posts: 55
all that I said only applies if your binding is folded in half and only one of the raw edges is folded under already!! And the second raw edge is NOT turned under ! If it is just folded in half with both raw edges it is to be applied as the first person said. Hope I haven't totally screwed you up!!! LOL
imak
imak
12-04-2009, 08:38 PM
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,055
Hi
I hope when you sewed your strips together you stitched one row from the top down and the next strip from the bottom up.
When you sew strips together you should NOT sew them all in one direction as this will not keep it square.
Scrap quilter
I hope when you sewed your strips together you stitched one row from the top down and the next strip from the bottom up.
When you sew strips together you should NOT sew them all in one direction as this will not keep it square.
Scrap quilter
12-05-2009, 06:39 AM
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elk River, MN
Posts: 212
Originally Posted by scrap quilter
Hi
I hope when you sewed your strips together you stitched one row from the top down and the next strip from the bottom up.
When you sew strips together you should NOT sew them all in one direction as this will not keep it square.
Scrap quilter
I hope when you sewed your strips together you stitched one row from the top down and the next strip from the bottom up.
When you sew strips together you should NOT sew them all in one direction as this will not keep it square.
Scrap quilter
ARGH. So do I have to rip all those seams out, or is there a way I can make it work without completely damaging the integrity of the pattern on top? That's the point I was at last night.
"pins, pins, pins - pin like crazy before you sew"
Now that the strips are done, I sat there for almost an hour last night trying to justify the edges together and pinned ev 3 inches- but since my strips are not all perfectly square, it's not working... My worry is that if I try to 'force' the strips to be correct to eachother, they wont' be correct as a quilt and it will look dumb.
"all that I said only applies if your binding is folded in half and only one of the raw edges is folded under already!! And the second raw edge is NOT turned under ! If it is just folded in half with both raw edges it is to be applied as the first person said. Hope I haven't totally screwed you up!!! LOL
imak"
The binding is folded exactly in half, leaving one edge with 2 raw edges and the other with the fold. No, I understood what you said. I watched the youtube video that b.zang posted and I was like OH! I thought I was sandwiching the 3 layers right in the middle of the binding fold, then tucking both raw edges into themselves, making 7 layers I'd have to sew through... but what was suggested makes more sense, and is, I'm sure, how it's supposed to be done.
I'm going to go down now and take pictures of the issues I'm talking about and post them here... I think you all get it, but maybe it will help. I really don't want to tear all those seams out, but I don't know where to move forward from here.
Why couldn't I just have started with a 9-patch?! lol...
12-05-2009, 10:27 AM
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elk River, MN
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Here are the pictures... the binding, strips (2 out of 6) and how much I've gotten pinned. I guess in the picture it doesn't look as if I'm really that off, but when I'm counting on 1/4 in seams, I'm afraid I'll cut it too close.
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