OK ladies, it seems that we haven't devoted any time to thinking about the scallops or discussing what the plan is to do them. Personally, this was a new learning opportunity for me.

There are a couple of ways to do the scallops. Some people have choosen to cut the individual templates either from the book or from the software and sew them on the individual tris. I decided that since I didn't want to have all those bias edges and risk distorting my border (mine have a tendancy to dance on their own even when they are straight), I would sew a long straight border on my center and then cut my scallops later.

I also decided to add an inch in depth to my scallops to make the quilt just a tad bigger. I used the software to print out a template, then I made a hard one by tracing it on a plastic notebook cover, and cut it out. Since my background is dark, I then traced it with a chalk pencil.

I then did the quilting prior to cutting the scallops out since the quilting will be pulling the fabric.

After I finished the quilting, I carefully cut out the scallops all the way around the quilt. Before handling the quilt very much after cutting, I basted the 3 layers right on the edge of the quilt so everything would lay nice and smooth.

Since the binding will need to curve around all those scallops (and the deeper you make the scallops, the more difficult this is), you will need BIAS binding. You can buy it or make it. I make my own using the continous bias binding method.

To make continuous bias binding, you will need to cut a square of your fabric making sure that the straight of grain is straight with your cuts. Here is a great link that gives the info on what size square to cut and a couple of ways to make continous bias binding. http://www.quilting-tidbits.com/binding-a-quilt.html After you have it all cut...fold it in half longways and press. I like to use starch too.

After I got the binding made, I paniced...how in the world do I sew this baby on and make it lay flat? OK...take a deep breath and just sew slowly.

You will want to put the binding on the underside of the quilt as you sew and use your walking foot if you have one. Place the folded side towards the center of the quilt, with the back side of the quilt facing up. Leave a tail about 7"-8" and begin sewing about half way down towards the pivot point. Don't allow a "join" to be on the very top of a scallop, nor in the very bottom.

You will put the 1 pin at the very bottom of the pivot and sew towards it. The pin shows you the "center" of the pivot and you will be able to see it and sew exactly to that point. Then with your needle down...raise your foot and turn the quilt to start sewing up the next scallop.

You can clip a few threads at the bottom of the scallop and then pull the quilt to "straighten" out the scallops, but I found that pivoting worked better and then I didn't have any clipped areas on the edge of my quilt. It made the binding almost "fall" into place when I turned it to stitch it down by hand also.

Now..I felt great just sewing along, then darn it...I got to the point where it was time to join the 2 ends. Now, I normally machine sew on the diagonal, then machine it to the quilt. Normally it is easy..you just overlap to measure, this was a little different.

I pinned both tails to the quilt to determine exactly where the "join" would be and then marked each tail with my chalk pencil. The "join" will be where the 2 tails overlap and are sewed together. You want it to be on the side of a scallop..not the top...not the bottom. Mark both tails

This is the part that is fiddly to me. If you aren't familiar with joining binding ends like this....here is a link

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...ng-ends_2.html

Complete the join, then pin the binding to the quilt to make sure the fit is perfect. Sew it to the quilt.

Then you will flip the binding over to the back and hand sew it with a ladder stitch..or sew it in the way you are most comfortable. I use clips to hold the binding as I sew. I used only 1 pin and just moved it around the quilt as I sewed. I pinned the bottom of the pivot only. Make special effort to sew the binding down just over your stitching line from where you joined the binding to the quilt.

Only 4 sides...then viola'....FINITO!!!

The way I did this is certainly NOT the only way to do it....so...ya'll post any tips you have to help the other girls along. This is the home stretch and any tips are appreciated!

Here are some instructions from Linda Franz (designer of the Quilted Diamonds) on how to do the scallops also. They are very detailed (and amusing) http://lindafranz.com/section/scallops/38

I am not there yet, but this information is certainly helpful. Your quilt is BEAUTIFUL and best of all DONE DONE DONE!!!!

Thanks for the great tute Patti. I plan to follow it as soon as I get to that point.

Thanks for that Patti, will need to bookmark this for next year when I will hopefully be doing my scallops :)