Steve

Am finishing up my first quilt and having left the backing about an inch and a half larger all round with the decision to mock bind I'm a bit confused about mitering the corners.

I'm basting and then doubling the fold inward for added thickness pressing as I go, pinning the corners at each fold. Any suggestion for perfectly mitered corners?

Steve

I found this link, but am doubling the binding up:

http://www.fabriclandwest.com/quilters%20corner/binding_mock.htm

patricej

once you've folded in, treat the two layers as though they were one. use the same method you'd use for any "back as mitred binding".

this is the way i do it.

Steve

So after trimming make the double folds on the corners and sides, press, pin and sew. Sounds easy. The instructions pointed out one aspect I hadn’t considered which was item three on the second diagram. I’d been practice cornering to the outer edge rather than giving it a bit to stitch into (go figure). Thanks Patrice, this was exactly what I needed to reinforce the idea.

Do a lot of quilter’s use this technique? It seems the easiest and most practical method to produce an outer binding. I like it because it hints at the backing fabric, though I do suppose a pieced edge would be pretty as well.

patricej

i'm tickled pink you found it useful. :P

i don't know how commonly used the method is. my "gut" feeling is that it isn't used as often as most of the others. i haven't used it as often as i should, but that's usually because i too often foolishly forget to choose a backing fabric that would look great as a binder, too.

i have lots of "V8" moments as i execute the final stages of just about every project. :shock: :lol: :?

Steve

I've been a tad neurotic on all the fabric purchases (as I am with all things), buying my piecing and backing fabric to match. I suppose that once I start utilizing the scrap pieces different approaches will follow. I'm fond of piece borders, so will give that a go shortly too. The most beautiful pieced quilt bindings to me are the Seminole chevrons, and Prairie points. It’s strange to me how the most well executed quilt top can fail utterly without a good backing, border and binding.

ccbear66

I used the mock binding on the baby quilt that I tied. My corners didn't turn out very well but I was still pleased with the way it turned out for my first quilt. I have two more baby quilts at the quilters now and I left enough of the backing to also mock bind them. I'll post pics once I get them back which should be in a couple of weeks.

Steve

Oh kay… so I’ve got it pinned and ready to sew finally. The double corner was easy but took a while to figure what to do first. I encountered a minor disaster that I had to deal with when I accidentally sliced a ½ into the backing, right where I planned to turn it. Repaired and ready to go though, but I’m off to work and it will have to wait. Grrr…

I was thinking I might stitch the corners where they meet on the lower edge at the miter as a cautionary measure. Has anyone done this? 've got the corners pinned but thought it might be better to stitch them.

patricej

if it feels right ... stitch it. :-)

Steve

Well, I did the binding and all but finished. The corners are less than what I wanted but pretty good. I'm toying with the idea of turning them inward at a 45-degree angle and taking what points there are off just so it looks a bit neater. I liked the experience but am unsure at this point if I'll try it again. Maybe once I get more experience with sewing it will come easier. I did get to use the walking foot, which at first threw me for a loop, but I got the hang of it by the time I made it ‘round the quilt. I must admit, it’s a pretty handsome quilt for someone who is just starting out and doesn’t really know much about sewing. I’ll post a picture after I decide about (and possibly do more to) the corners and wash it.