Jackie Spencer

I have a friend that makes beautiful quilts and has won soooo many ribbons. Her bindings are perfect. She shared her secret with me a few weeks ago. She cuts her binding 2 1/2 inches, but when she sews it to the quilt on the front with machine, she uses a 3/8 inch seam allowance. They are always full and firm. I just tried this on a baby quilt for my first great granddaughter and it works. Nicest binding I have ever done.

Hinterland

Please don't let that stop you. I think we get too wrapped up in this "binding must be perfect" idea.

The Vermont Quilt Festival uses a point system in their judging. Out of 100 points, binding accounts for 5 of them. If you make a really lousy binding, you will lose 5 points, which may be the difference between Exceptional Merit and First Place, but it certainly doesn't lock you out of a ribbon.

While other shows don't use the same system, I am sure that the binding is not the be all and end all of judging. How do I know? I've entered quilts with some pretty sad binding, and won ribbons with them.

Make the best quilt you can, the best way you know how. Make it a design you love and don't obsess over what a judge will think. If you love the quilt, then anything they say won't matter - in most cases, their comments are helpful. You might surprise yourself with a ribbon....but you won't if you don't enter.

Janet

Lori S

I had a quilt entered into a show. I had given it as a gift , and the new owner thought it worthy of showing. To my shock it took a top prize.... and it had a machine stitched binding. I was stunned first that it took a prize, second that with a machine stitched binding it was even considered.
I still think it strange she entered it in a show, not being the creator.