I’ve been doing a load of binding, with some exploration of new techniques too.
I tried my hand at using home decor weight for binding. I was impressed with the results and it will likely last forever. I recommend a small sharp needle though and it is a bit difficult to get into the fold of the binding since it is a bit less defined.
Jacquie and I talked about the Ladder Stitch she uses and that I’ve used previously for applique and I gave it a go on this quilt. I was also trying to remember a knot for the end of the thread that I had learned in an applique class and found both tutorials here.
The stitches with the Ladder stitch magically disappear unlike the whip-stitches below.
My Mother was here and she showed me the stitch that she binds with which turned out to be the Ladder Stitch too.
I had noticed when we tag-teamed Baby Elio’s quilt she did a tack like stitch that I’d never noticed on her other quilts at the mitered corner (like above) and I took a liking to it. I have since incorporated into my quilts. We’ll see if it sticks.
As for thimbles, my Mother always used the leather ones with the metal tips. I just bought myself the leather one here. The plastic just never seem to be the right size and my finger gets sweaty. Hate that.
Suggestions? What do you use?
I agree about the plastic ones–they are cute, but they don’t fit and they do sweat. I have always used metal, on my middle finger with a larger one for my thumb–something Alex Anderson taught me so I could quilt away from me. It’s been a while since I practiced though.
I don’t have delicate small fingers and discovered this stick on metal thimble which I love – here is a picture of it http://neverenoughhours.blogspot.com/2007/12/thimble.html
Trying them. Thanks. xo
I never use thimbles and my fingers are callused and full of holes:) Maybe it’s time to invest. I did just bind my last quilt with twill I was accidentally sent from the company instead of the quilting weight, but I think it worked out really well, too.
Loved to read about the ladder stitch – have to try it!
I use those plastic ones. Somehow my fingers still gets stabbed, as I keep putting them on and off. Wish I could learn a proper technique…
; )
I use Thimble Pads (the little leather self-adhesive dots). I’ve tried and failed numerous times to master any other kind.
Hmm, interesting. I do whatever stitch it is I do. A modified whip? but that ladder stitch looks interesting. I might have to try that on the next quilt and see. Definitely looks more snug.
I use a metal thimble I bought a decade ago. Works well enough and I don’t think about it too much.
I agree with Kate, I love the stick on thimbles just because I can never find one to fit my finger and yes, I don’t like the sweatiness either!
Just a side note – LOVE the corner stitching method, and I’ll be trying that on my next quilt.
I use the peel-and-stick leather kind, too. I love them – I don’t like the feeling of regular thimbles on the tip of my finger. And the sweat factor of regular thimbles is gross and annoying to me. I learned that ladder stitch from Above All Fabrics blog – I love it!
I love the pebble quilting! I’m still trying to figure that particular stitch out 🙂 As for the thimbles and stitches, I’m a leather girl! Mine has a coin in the top, to help with the tougher stitching. I’ve tried the plastic ones and the metal ones, but I love the leather! I’m a ladder stitcher too-I like invisible!
I didn’t realize I was using a ladder stitch but that’s what I use to bind my quilts…and I don’t use a thimble – must be why my fingers are sore and full of holes after I finish a quilt!
I use a metal thimble, which I wear on the middle finger of my stitching hand. For me, slipping a wee bit of batting inside the thimble makes it fit more comfy and deals with the sweat issue. I like my stitches on the binding to be invisible, so I use the ladder stitch as well. Coincidentally, I used decorator weight fabric for the binding on my latest quilt and love it, too. It makes a “plump” binding, and although it was a little trickier to fold over and use binding clips on, it was worth the extra fiddling.
Maybe this thimble thing would help me out too! Great to see other people’s suggestions about it! I am going to try that mitered corner tacking trick too. Thanks for the tips! 🙂
I recently bought a soft leather thimble from Clover. The seams are on the outside. I have thinnish fingers and could never get a thimble to stay on before. This thimble comes in several sizes and it’s perfect. I love, love, LOVE it!
I also use the stick-on leather pad for all hand-sewing/embroidery. Nothing else really works for me, witness my unused collection of thimbles. The leather pad and its “stickum” both have long lives. Inexpensive, long-lasting, and effective. Love your blog. I’m a Seattle native; wish I still lived there!
You are so blessed to be able to sew and learn from your mom! No advice here – I machine stitch my bindings!