Weezy Rider

How do you hold onto a narrow border? I do quilt as you go, so the border can be as little as 4 inches wide. That's a little bit to hold onto even if you do the border horizontally. Suppose you wanted to FMQ a mug rug before binding?

I've searched and all I can find is patterns - no real videos of how to hold fabric sandwich. Do you use one of the small hoops? Add extra scrim on the sides? (that cheap 36" muslin for patterns comes to mind)
I could cheat and design what I want and use the embroidery machine continuous hoop except I don't want to.

I prefer to do all pieces first before assembly. Easier to handle.

Thanks

Tartan

Just pin or sew with large stitches scrap fabric around the edge to give yourself something to hang on to.

GrammaNan

Thanks for asking this question. I have learned from it too.

juneayerza

I sew write on the back portion of the binding and I do just as Tartan suggested to make it easier to manipulate.

DogHouseMom

I don't "grab" or "hold" my quilt sandwich at all when I FMQ.

I use machingers gloves (or any rubber tipped glove will do) and I lay my palms flat on the quilt. I move the quilt through the machine with my hands remaining flat on the quilt, with a direct downward pressure of the palms (just enough pressure to move the fabric easily). The gloves help "grip" the fabric without actually folding my hands or fingers around it.

I generally have at the very least 3" of extra batting/backing on each side of my quilt - enough for my palms (or sometimes just fingers) to fit on and manipulate the quilt.

RedGarnet222

I agree with dog House Mom. I have a larger backing and batting so there is the extra there so you can get up to the end easily and then just cut off the extra after you are done..