Tutorial Tuesday - inside out non-binding

This won't be the best photodocumented tutorial that you have seen since I didn't know it could be useful until I had the project half done. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I also am not 100% sure of the name - some people call it envelope binding and some call it pillow case binding. How about I give it my own name to avoid that confusion and create some of my own?! Lets go with "I can't believe it's not bound binding"? Nah, too complicated to remember. How about "The easiest non-binding you have ever tried"? Oh forget it - cuz I can't think of anything clever so it's just the  "inside out non-binding."

This is the second time I have used this type of binding on a tumbler project but I think it would also work on that scalloped edge project I have as well as anything else with non-straight edges or something that you want to finish quickly like placemats. I have only used it on table runners and I'm not sure I want to use it on anything much bigger because I'm afraid the layers would shift for quilting without a lot of pinning and that totally negates the easieness of spray basting and this type of binding.

I began by cutting the backing and batting. I typically only add one-half to one inch to each side of the top to get my size. You might be more comfortable with larger pieces of backing and batting.

On a large enough work surface, lay out large pieces of paper to cover your surface and protect it from the spray. Then lay out the batting and cover it with the backing, smoothing out wrinkles. Fold back half of the backing and spray baste with 505 according to the can directions. Working quickly, I replace the backing and smooth out any wrinkles, lifting and resmoothing as needed. I turn my project and repeat for the other half. Again removing any wrinkles.

With the backing side up, I now place the quilt top on the sandwhich with right sides together and smooth any wrinkles. I also press lightly with an iron as it supposedly helps the fabrics to stick. Carefully move the sandwhich to your machine and sew a one-quarter inch seam around the top, pivoting at seams and leaving an opening in the middle of one end. The size of the opening will depend on the size of your project but aim for about one-third of the side. Backstitch at the beginning and end of this seam.

Now move the sandwhich to your cutting board and carefully trim around the quilt top, trimming corners and points as needed. Reach your arm into the opening you hopefully remembered to leave and grab one of the far corners of your project to pull gently back through the opening. Once the entire project is right side out reach your arm back in and using your fingers or a blunt object, push out any corners that need "sharpening."

At the ironing board, wet your fingers and roll the edge to make sure the seam is centered on the edge of the project. Give the seam a press as you work around your project and then press the entire project when you are done. You may wish to place a few pins in the center of your quilt to prevent any shifting but I haven't needed it so far.

Fold the edges of your opening inside about one-quarter inch and press. Pin the edge together, matching the folds as closely as possible.

I have yet to quilt this project but I would begin by taking my Bernina #10 Stitch in the Ditch foot, moving the needle to the far left position and stitching around the edge in a clockwise direction. This will anchor that opening closed and allow you to move on to the rest of your quilting. I just outline the tumblers so don't expect anything fancy when I show the finished project in the next couple of weeks.




While typing I had a great idea. What if you whipped up some piping and stitched that into the outer seam?! What a fun little addition that would make. And then I could play with my piping ruler. Next project...