Guest Tips:Finish Back of Quilt
At one time we were taught to wrap the binding to the back of the quilt only to the stitching line, but I recommend doing this differently. It is very important that binding be stuffed with the quilt top, batting and backing. If this is true (and we intend to wrap the binding to the back only to the stitching line), then a different width of binding is required for each quilt top, batting and backing combination! Why not cut the binding a bit generously then wrap the binding as far as it needs to go to create a plump, stuffed binding? An added benefit to this is that the corners are much easier to miter with the extra fabric on the back!
- Wrap the binding to the back of the quilt as far as possible without bunching up the batting etc. Hold in place with binding clips.
- Hand stitch in place. Place a few stitches in the miters both on the front and on the back.
Piecing with Piping
Because of the trick necessary to hide the piping stitching lines (sewing inside the piping stitching line to attach sashing or border), the seam allowance in a piped seam is not 1/4-inch. Please take this into consideration when using this technique. You may wish to cut sashing or borders wider than needed then trim later.
- Make piping as described above including trimming the seam allowance.
- Place piping along the edge of the quilt block aligning cut edge of piping with cut edge of block and stitch directly over piping stitching line.
- Add sashing or border by pinning in place over the piping then sewing from the block side to use the stitching line as a guide. Stitch to the left of the stitching line attaching piping to block.
