Thread Tales From A Scrappy Quilter

Last night at Monday sew-in, I cut and almost finished my binding prep for my red and green round robin.  I found the same green that someone used in that narrow outer border and I'm using the Faux Piped technique to create a stuffed piped effect with my 2 color binding. I have info on my blog about how to do this but a quick overview. ..  I cut my piping color strips @ 1 5/8"  and the binding color at 1 3/8".  When joined this creates 2 1/2" binding.  Press that seam allowance toward the piping color to create bulk when folded in half.  That step creates the piped look and feel.  Or if you want a flat flange you would press toward the binding color.  

Washed and dried, ready for use.  Watch Suzanne McNeill's video on how you can create this block in 10 minutes too.   This was my test project.  I've got stash that needs to be used up to make space for new collections.   I see a few of these in my future. Quilting shows on the backside!

This is a fun, fast way to finish your binding entirely by machine and add a little pizzaz to your finished quilt.  I may update this another day because when I made this one, I did not consult my notes.   What you need to remember is that the fabric for the piped edge should be the one that is cut larger.  Believe me, I won't forget this again!   Cut your strips @ 1 5/8" for the piping and 1 3/8" for the binding fabric (finishes @ 2 1/5" binding).  Prepare each of those fabrics in the same manner as your would for regular binding, joining to obtain the length needed for your project.   Press those seams open.  Once you have the length for each color needed you will join those strips together.   Sew right sides together using 1/4" seam.   I like to press the seam flat just like the seam was stitched.  This will distribute the thread nicely thoughout the strip.  If you want a piped lo...

She's finally finished and hopefully I can make space on one wall for displaying in my quilting studio (formerly known as our dining room).  It's my only room with lots of color, the walls are a dark blue and quilts hung usually have lots of purple, yellow and green.   Most of you know that the "little" boys and I packed our 2 suitcases and headed off to have our own Hawaiian adventure when hubby was activated for a 10 month stint filling a position at Hickam AFB.  I packed an old UFO of intricate hand applique to work on during my LONG days over there but I got bored really fast with that.  I needed to zoom along on projects.   I'm not happy if I can't finish at least one project per month and one per week would be even better!  I picked up a sewing machine @ the Women's Expo in September but still had no fabrics or tools to speak of...  Found a quilt shop nearby but prices were high and nothing really interested me.   A few of ...