GoQ-Quilt Binding by Machine

Quilt Binding by Machine,taught by Karen Alexander

Attach and finish your quilt bindings with your machine! We will go through quilt preparation, binding preparation (sewing precut binding strips together), attaching to the quilt, finishing with a decorative or plain stitch. Unless you just like to watch a whole lotta TV, there is no reason to wear out your hands sewing down a binding! I’ll teach an easy way, which I now use on every quilt I make!

Supply List:   

• Sewing Machine-  One with at least a zig zag, feather or blanket stitch; (one with 1 amp or stronger motor size is best – if it’s strong enough to quilt with, it’s usually strong enough to handle machine binding).
• Basic sewing supplies - thread snips, bobbins, sewing thread, rotary cutter ruler and 18 x 24 mat optional (I will have several and some irons/boards.)
• Top stitch size 90 sewing machine needles
• Special feet: A stitch in the ditch foot or open toe foot optional. The left edge top stitch foot for HV is great if you have it! I’ll show several different feet as well.FYI, a walking foot is NOT really needed to attach binding, but you can use it.
• An UNTRIMMED, finished (quilted), baby bundles sized  (or at least 18" x 18")quilt. A cotton batting is easiest to work with by machine. (This  is a grea size for  a pet pallet!)
• Precut Binding strips: Before class: Cut 2-1/2" or 3" wide binding strips, cut across the width of your fabric, equal to the rough measurement of the finished outside edge of your quilt plus at least 20 inches. Example: 18" x 18" quilt = cut 18x4 + 20 = 92, or 3 strips across width of fabric. More is better ;-). OR, a 2-1/2 inch jelly roll - though they are messy ;-) Join the strips with a miter seam, and fold in half lengthwise.
• Decorative thread – I like Signature 40 weight, Aurifil 40, Glide, or any other strong sewing or quilting thread. Cotton, or your preference, just be sure it’s not light weight (breaky!). Many 50 weight cotton threads are very light!
• One small bottle of Elmer’s WASHABLE School Glue.
• All skill levels but you will need to precut your binding strips and prepare them. A half size jelly roll can bind many small size quilts - available at your fav quilt shop, or Jo-Ann fabrics.
• Any questions about supplies? email to karenquilts@gmail.com with any questions.