Tutorial – How To Bind a Quilt

March 12, 2014December 20, 201524 Comments

I love making every part of a quilt, including the binding, so I thought I’d share with you my favorite method for binding my quilts. It’s called continuous length, double fold, straight of grain binding. That’s a mouthful, but it’s how I do all my quilts.

the quilt Shown is Modern X. Pattern available here.

Ready for picture overload? Here goes:

Note: I used Kona Solid Charcoal for my binding strips with Aurifil thread #1246.

Step 1 – Calculate and cut your binding strips

Measure the perimeter of your quilt by adding the length and width of your quilt and multiplying that by 2. Then add an extra 10 inches to deal with seams and corners. For example, my quilt measures 56″ x 70″. Here’s how I calculate my binding:

56+56+70+70+10 = 262 inches needed

Next, take this measurement and divide it by 40 inches. This will tell you the number of strips you will need to cut, with 40″ of useable fabric. My number is 6.55 which I will round up to 7 strips of fabric.

I like my binding to finish approximately 1/4″ on both front and back. Therefore I will cut my strips at 2 1/4″ wide. You can cut them wider if you prefer more of the binding to show.

I need to cut a total of (7) 2 1/4″ wide strips to bind my quilt.

Step 2 – Sew the binding into a continuous length

Place two strips right sides together at a 90 degree angle. Sew them together at a 45 degree angle across the diagonal. Sewing mitered seams like this helps distribute the bulk. If needed, you can draw a straight line across the diagonal, or press one of the ends along the diagonal to form a sewing line.

If you are using solid fabric like me, it will be a little trickier to keep track of which is the “right” side. You can use a pin or piece of tape to designate the right side if you like. Be sure to trim the starting edge of your binding at a 45 degree angle, too.

Step 3 – Press the binding

Press the binding wrong sides together along the entire length.

Step 4 – Attach the binding to the quilt

Trim off the excess backing and batting before you attach your binding. I use a large square ruler for the corners, and a long straight ruler for the sides.

Quickly run your binding along the perimeter of your quilt to ensure you won’t have any seams falling in the corners. If you do – move the binding up or down a few inches to avoid seams at the corners.

Starting at least 6″ – 8″ away from the corner, place your binding on the front side of the quilt and leave a tail of about 6″ – 8″. Line up the open binding ends with the edge of your quilt. The folded edge should be facing towards the quilt.

Starting at the pin shown in the previous photo above, stitch the binding onto the front of the quilt with 1/4″ seam allowance. Use a walking foot or even-feed if possible. When you get to a corner, stop stitching 1/4″ away from the corner and sew off the corner.

At this point, your corner should look like this:

Take the quilt off the machine and fold the binding up and away from the quilt as shown. Keep the edge of the binding in line with the edge of the quilt as shown.

Bring the binding back down, creating a tuck of fabric underneath. This will form the miter on the front of the quilt.

Starting from the edge of the quilt, stitch the next side of binding down until you reach the next corner and repeat this process for all four corners.

Leave an ending tail of 6″ – 8″ of binding. Trim off the excess leaving a few inches of overlap to work with. Open up the end of binding and place the beginning tail inside it.

Using the cut angled end as a guide, lightly mark a line right up next to it. Then cut 1/2″ away from this measurement to account for seam allowances on both ends.

Put the two tail ends right sides together, and sew with 1/4″ seam to complete the continuous loop of binding.

Close up the binding and finish stitching it down on the front of the quilt. You are now ready to finish stitching the binding down on the back of the quilt.

Step 5 – Secure with clips

I find it easier to completely secure the binding to the back of the quilt with clips before I begin hand-stitching it down. For a throw sized quilt it takes about 100 wonder clips to go all the way around the quilt. Pins or hair clips work well, too.

Step 6 – Hand stitch the binding on back

Put on a good movie and enjoy the relaxing process of hand work for a pretty finish.

Don’t want To Hand Stitch? machine binding tutorial Here.

Thread several needles using the same cotton thread you used to sew on the binding. Clip off about 18″ of thread to use at a time. Wrap the thread around the needle 3 times and pull it to the end of you thread to create a quilter’s knot. You can double your thread for extra strength and durability.

I use a thimble to help push the needle through the fabric when needed.

Tuck the knot underneath the binding, then grab a bite of the backing of the quilt and then a bite of the binding to complete each stitch.

Continue forming each stitch by bringing the needle in behind each previous stitch and pushing it out ahead of the last stitch. Pull the thread slightly taut as you go.

When you get to the corners, be sure to sew them closed. Take a few stitches on the back to close the miter. Push the needle through to the front, stitch the front of the miter closed, then push the needle to the back again.

When you are near the end of a length of thread, make a knot, then take a stitch through the backing and batting only, pop it through the backing and cut off the excess. Continue in this manner until you’ve sewn down the entire quilt.

Congratulate yourself on a great finish!

20140404_dqn_modern_x_2nd

Modern X Pattern is available for purchase here.

Tutorial and Tips: How to Spray Baste a Quilt

March 11, 2014January 11, 201841 Comments

2018 Spray Basting Update

I’ve updated this method to show I use my design wall to assemble the layers.
Click here for the updated tutorial.

Original Tutorial (From 2014):

I have been dabbling with using 505 basting spray to hold the three layers of my quilt together while quilting. I’ve learned a few things along the way and would like to share them with you. Thanks to Ann Petersen for introducing me to this method of basting.

Yes, you get to see my ugly backyard during this tutorial. Yay, you!

Tips Before You Begin

First of all, when basting a quilt with spray, it is best to use pre-washed 100% cotton fabrics. The spray make not stick as well to other fibers. Also, if you like to starch the back of your quilt to make it slicker and aid in machine quilting, wait to do this until after you have spray-basted the quilt.

For best results, choose a natural fiber batting made of cotton, silk or wool (or a blend that is mostly cotton) because the adhesive tends to stick better. Finally, be sure to use the spray adhesive outside, or in an extremely well ventilated room with the doors and windows open.

Now on to the Tutorial

Begin by setting up one or two tables on which to work. Alternatively you can place a sheet on the ground, or even drape your fabrics over a wall if needed. Lay out the backing of your quilt first, wrong side up. You will be applying the spray to the wrong side of the fabric.

Working outside is best so that fumes can dissipate.

Not shown in the photo: place a towel or two on each end of the table under the backing to protect it from over-spray.

Shake the can well before beginning. I have only used the 505 spray, so I cannot speak to the effectiveness of the other brands. Starting on one end of the quilt, spray the adhesive smoothly back and forth across the surface of your quilt. It should be very tacky to the touch. Set the backing aside and move on to the quilt top.

Not a very flattering picture, but I’m keeping it real!

Lay out the quilt top and use the same method to apply spray evenly over the wrong side of the top and set it aside. I sprayed the center section of the quilt top and then went back and sprayed the sides. I didn’t move the top; I just sprayed the edges while they were hanging off the table.

Lay out your quilt top wrong side up.

I usually hang my top and backing wrong side up over a railing while waiting to assemble them. You can also fold them up and open them later as needed. The quilt pieces will be tacky but can still be opened up if the sticky ends touch each other.

I drape my quilt tops over a railing in my sewing room.

Using a large surface (like a couple of long plastic tables pushed together), spread the backing wrong side up and tape or clamp down the edges. Next, place your layer of batting on top.

Tape the backing down with painter’s tape, wrong side up.

It is really helpful if you can grab an assistant to help you place the batting directly on top of the backing without having to move it around too much. Grab the quilt top, again with help, and place it on top of the other two layers, right side up.

Take some time to smooth out all 3 layers until it is nice and flat. Once you have worked out any wrinkles, take the whole sandwich over to your ironing board and press it together from the back of the quilt. This will help set the adhesive and works best with natural fiber battings. If needed, press the front side as well.You are now ready to quilt!

The quilt shown is Modern X, made as a free pattern for members of the Modern Quilt Guild. Pattern available for purchase here.

Modern X – A Free Pattern for Modern Quilt Guild Members

March 10, 2014March 10, 201448 Comments

I’m pleased to share with you my latest quilt finish – Modern X.

I made it for the Modern Quilt Guild as a free pattern for their members. One of the benefits of being a MQG member is getting a free pattern with each of their monthly newsletters in 2014. I got selected to be “Miss March.”

Modern X – designed, pieced and quilted by Christa Watson – 56″x 70″

All of the quilts of the month will be shown at a special exhibit at QuiltCon next year, so it will be exciting to see them all presented in one place.

If you are not a member of the Modern Quilt Guild (why not?) I also have this pattern available for sale in my Craftsy Pattern Store. It runs 7 pages in length and also includes diagrams on how to machine quilt it, if you are so inclined.

I used Kona Cotton Solid fabrics for the quilt and it is pieced and quilted using Aurifil threads in 50 wt. cotton. Here’s a detailed shot of some of the quilting:

Be sure to come back later in the week as I’ll share a couple of basting and binding tutorials I put together for this quilt. 🙂

Sew and Tell – Do You EQ? I Do!

March 8, 2014March 7, 201444 Comments

It’s no secret I love designing and making quilts.

Since discovering the modern quilting movement, I’ve been inspired to create more original designs in the last 2 years than I have in the last 10 years combined! All it took was finding my niche and discovering the right motivation.

I’m pleased to announce that the folks over at Electric Quilt are enjoying my passion for design, too!

I’ve recently been invited to become an “official” EQ Artist and am now featured on their Do You EQ? site along with plenty of other well-known quilters in the industry. I have to tell you, it’s a little bit intimidating to be featured alongside so many amazing quilters who also design in EQ. I keep waiting for them to tell me, “not really – we were just kidding!”

But lots of good has come out of this. For starters, it has encouraged me to do all of my designing in EQ7 so that I can practice becoming comfortable with more aspects of the software.

My latest EQ7 design – This quilt will do double duty as my entry into the next MQG fabric challenge, and as a future class sample. Stay tuned for more!

Also, I’ve finally taken the plunge and have started publishing my own patterns, integrating images from EQ7 along with good old basic word processing software. So far I’ve only finished one pattern, but the next one will launch soon, and I’ve got more coming. Be sure to keep an eye on my Craftsy Pattern Store for more.

Charming Chevrons – my first officially “published” pattern. You’ve seen this one before!

Finally, I’ve decided I will start teaching some introduction to EQ7 classes later this year. I’ve had several requests to teach about the software, but it will take me awhile to develop a class. My favorite local quilt shop is in need of new teacher so the timing is right. I’ll keep you posted in case any of you are in the mood for a road trip to Vegas later in the fall.

And now, on to the next design!

Fabric Friday – Moda Preview

March 7, 2014May 15, 201428 Comments

For Fabric Friday I usually like to share what’s new in my store. However, this time around I thought I’d do something a little different. I just met with my awesome Moda sales rep. this week and she showed me all the super yummy deliciousness that will be coming out over the next few months. So I thought I’d share a few sneak peaks of what we ordered.

See that mess below? This is what working from home looks like! 🙂

Sonja, my Moda sales rep., scanning orders for me as fast as I can place them!

The latest line from Pat Sloan is called One for You – One for Me and is due out in August. She’s combined prints with batiks in this fun bright combo and I’m getting all the precuts from both groups.

Here’s a better closeup. Aren’t these great?

We have a very “scientific” way of determining how many precuts to order from each line. Each group falls into 1 of 3 categories: “Good”, “Awesome” and “Super Awesome.” Jason and I think Pat’s new collection is super awesome, so we have ordered tons! Let’s hope everyone else thinks it’s super awesome, too!

Next, we decided to scoop up precuts from Momo’s latest line called Avant Garden. I love her contemporary-modern aesthetic and her medium to large scale whimsical motifs. Moda is starting to add cotton/linen blends to the mix, so we grabbed a few of those to try. The cottons and linens are both due out in July.

See those coordinating solids? Those are linens!

We ordered some of the Linen Mochi Dot fat quarters last time Sonja came to visit, and those are available for purchase now. I haven’t tried any linen in my own quilts yet, but I keep hearing great things about it!

Linen Mochi Dot fat quarters are available now. Click here to purchase.

Jason and I are now focusing exclusively on precuts and thread (while clearing out all of our older yardage, kits and notions). We are pretty much trying to carry all the precuts we can. It’s a tall order, but the process sure has been fun!

BasicGrey is out with a new selection of 20 almost-solids. We picked up a healthy amount of fat quarters, layer cakes, jelly rolls and charm packs of these beauties which should arrive next month. If these do well for Moda, they will consider making them a “basic” which means they are indefinitely restockable. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

I ordered about half a dozen more new groups, but only managed to get a picture of a few of them seen below. We were so busy chatting, I forgot to take more pics!

Native Sun by Abi Hall, shipping in July of this year.

Lulu by Chez Moi, due out in July.

Milk Cow by Mary Jane, also coming in July.

More of the Moda precuts we ordered earlier in the year are finally listed in the store. It’s so fun to order new fabrics, but so hard to wait for them to arrive!

Two of the new groups include April Showers by Bonnie and Camille plus Vanessa Christensen’s Color Me Happy. Doesn’t fabric just make you happy?

How to Make Quilting Your Business #6 – Selling Your Work

March 5, 2014March 4, 20148 Comments

During my many quilt-related business ventures over the years, one of the ways I tried to make money from my craft was by producing quilted items to sell. This led to commission work and then eventually into online fabric sales which I blogged about previously.

This is the first book I ever bought when starting my business!

Selling Your Work

In my experience, I found that creating custom quilts on commission paid much better than simply making a bunch of quilts and trying to sell them at craft shows and consignment stores. Smaller items that could be sewn together quickly and sold cheaply performed well, but mass producing these items did not satisfy my need to create. Instead I just felt like a one woman factory. However, I did get a lot of quilting practice from it!

Making quilts for sale was great quilting practice!

Connie Campbell from Freemotion by the River got into the market by creating small quilted items like wall hangings, table runners, placemats, and coasters. She started pursuing small venues at first, which weren’t super profitable; however, they did lead to invitations to sell at larger craft shows and stores on a full-time basis. Since that time she’s gone onto other ventures but she’s proof positive that you can sell your wares and make a decent living from it!

Connie still shares with others via her weekly Linky Tuesday party!

Figuring The Cost

In figuring out what to charge, Connie said, “I would always make 3 of an item and figure out the materials used and the time to complete them. I kept a detailed notebook with average fabric prices and amounts needed for my items and kept a timer close-by. I was able to figure out the cost of materials and found wholesale sources for most of my supplies.”

There are always fascinating discussions to be had when it comes to determining a price for your hand-crafted goods. In fact, Josh from Molli Sparkles has held several thought provoking and somewhat controversial blog discussions on how he values his work.

Even simple quilts can be time-consuming to make when working on commission!

In fact, they went viral so quickly that he was able to share more on the subject recently at Sew Mama Sew. He calculated the cost of what it would take to make the simple, yet beautiful quilt above, if he were to be paid for it. The bottom line is this – you need to decide what the market will bear and decide whether or not that is fair compensation for your time.

Getting Started

The explosion of online commerce has made it much easier for artisans to find a wider audience for their work. Talented quilters and sewists can build up a good reputation over time, and word of mouth can spread quickly. A good way to test the waters and see if this is something you’d like to do, is to open up a little shop on Etsy and make a few samples.

Modern Baby Quilt for sale by Home Sewn Studio on Etsy

A good rule of thumb is to give it at least 6 months and then evaluate your progress. Keep an eye out for what others are doing and how they price their items. You never want to undercut anyone or copy others’ creations, but many pattern makers out there are fine with people making a limited number of their designs into items for sale. Just be sure to check first.

As I said at the start of this series, I’ve tried just about every business related quilting topic I’m blogging about, and it’s taken me nearly two decades to finally determine what I’m passionate about (designing and making modern quilts).

I’m hoping that through this series, you’ll find your answers much more quickly than I did!

Click here for the start of this series.

Blog Reviews – Fun Quilt Alongs and Challenges to Join

March 4, 2014March 2, 20144 Comments

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to a few of my blogger friends who are hosting some amazing events! Many of them have already started, but thanks to the convenience of the internet, you can join at any time and work at your own pace and on your own schedule!

First of all, Melissa from Happy Quilting has another fabulous quilt along called Star Light Star Bright. It features one of my favorite units – half square triangles, lovingly known as HST’s. Melissa is always sharing tons of cool video tutorials and plenty of inspiration on her blog so be sure to check it out! You won’t be disappointed.

Happy Quilting Quilt Along

Next, the super talented machine quilter, Amy from Amy’s Free Motion Quilting Adventures just launched a new quilt along which will run for the entire month of March. It’s called “McTavishing: a Free Motion Quilting Adventure” and she’ll include a giveaway to go along with the series. Fun stuff indeed!

Free Motion Quilting Adventures QAL

SewCalGal is hosting two year-long events that will really get your creative juices flowing. Her Handmade Christmas Challenge features monthly challenges throughout the year to share holiday projects you finish in 2014.

SewCalGal Christmas Challenge

She’s also hosting a Year of Red and White Quilt Challenges, inspired by the fabulous Red and White quilt exhibit held in New York back in 2011. As part of this year long event, there’s a special design competition running now through March 23rd. Be sure to read the full details here. It’s perfect for budding pattern designers and of course there will be fabulous prizes!

Red and White Challenge

Finally, I wanted to give another shout out to my good friend Alyssa from Pile O’ Fabric. She’s hosting another fabulous skillbuilding quilt as you go series. It’s called “For the Love of Sewing” and features all sorts of adorable sewing-themed blocks. This one has a small fee involved but trust me, it’s totally worth it as she puts in way more time than what she charges for!

I hope you will check out these fun events!

Catching up with Christa on Craftsy

March 3, 2014February 28, 20147 Comments

Many of you know I’ve recently become a freelance writer for Craftsy. It’s a fun excuse to write more about my love of quilting and reach a slightly different audience from those that follow my blog. In case you haven’t seen me over there yet, I thought I’d catch you up on the last couple of posts I’ve written.

I wrote a piece about how you can quilt on a regular sewing machine – even one as small as a featherweight! This was a fun followup to a question about my first entry, “tips for free motion quilting.”

My beloved Featherweight – I don’t quilt on it – but you can!

I also gave a fun little report about my recent excursion to AQS Phoenix with a few tips on how to enter one of their shows. I’m always pro quilt-show in the hopes that more of you out there will share your amazing talents!

AQS Phoenix Best of Show

I usually write about one post a week for Craftsy so I still have plenty of time to write here. So far it hasn’t gotten too crazy and I plan to continue blogging (in both places) as long as it remains fun!

How about you bloggers out there – do you write multiple blogs or for multiple audiences? I’d love to know!

Sew and Tell – More Quilty Love and My Latest Feature Article

February 28, 2014February 28, 20147 Comments

I wanted to share a little more Quilty magazine love today and give a little plug for my latest article in the hopes that you will check it out and pick up a copy for yourself!

The Quilty team did such a fantabulous job editing and presenting my latest feature article called “Digital Printing – an Evolution in Fabric.” It’s on pages 86-88 in the March/April 2014 issue. It was a fun topic to write about and I actually learned a lot in the process.

Quilty March 2014

I think Quilty is one of the best quilting magazines ever. (No they are NOT paying me to say that, I just think it’s true.) Editor Mary Fons is super high energy – even more than me – and if you’ve never seen her live, be sure to check out her lecture from QuiltCon in 2013 to see what I mean.

It was super fun to pick out the pictures to along with the article, and I had a chance to interview several folks in the fabric industry who are the movers and shakers, so that was enlightening, too. Many fabric companies you recognize and buy from are represented in the article as well as a fantastic new-to-me company who burst onto the scene last year- Modern Yardage.

In the article, I basically talk about some of the history of the digital fabric industry and a few of the pros and cons – for sure more pros! It will be fun to see where this technology leads us and to see what kind of impact it makes on future quilt design.

Fabulous Fabric Reps – Elliot and Janet of JEH

I have to give a shout out to my fabulous Robert Kaufman sales reps for putting me in touch with many of the right people to interview for this article. It was serendipity when I was meeting with them one day and they happened to mention these new digital fabrics. I was like, “Hey I’m writing an article about that – tell me everything you know!” So it’s always fun to be in the right place at the right time, talking to the right people!

In case you missed it, you can read about my previous Quilty appearances here and here.

Podcast Review – The Quiltcast with Amy and April

February 26, 2014February 24, 20145 Comments

Today I’m excited to share with you another fun quilting podcast that I enjoy listening to. It’s called The Quiltcast and is hosted by Amy Ellis and April Rosenthal.

I first met Amy last year when I participated in the Blogger’s Quilt Festival that she hosts twice a year. I had the great opportunity of being one of the featured quilters and I thought Amy was such a wonderful person to get to know!

Our paths crossed again when I had the chance to review her third book with Martingale, titled Modern Neutrals. Later, when I found out about Amy’s idea for hosting a podcast about quilting, I simply had to become a regular listener!

The QuiltCast is a delightful 1/2 hour weekly radio show. As you listen, it feels as if you are involved in a fun conversation between friends. It’s inspiring to listen to Amy and April as they share what they are working on, plus fun little “behind the scenes” tidbits here and there and how they work quilting into their “regular” lives as moms. That’s how I found out Amy is on her fourth book and April just started writing her first. How cool is that?

I love how they keep it real and they let you know that no, it’s not all hearts and roses when running your own business, but yes, they love what they do!

April’s Bolster Pillow, Part of “The Pillow Collective”

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Amy via email about the show and wanted to share a little bit of that interview with you. My questions below are in bold and Amy’s responses are in italics.

What made you decide you wanted to start a podcast?

I’ve noticed that for many, online time is more mobile and less in front of a computer, and I was wanting a way to communicate with followers in a more personable way, and started looking into podcasting, and a co-host.

What is your ultimate goal for the podcast?

I really want to encourage everyone to follow their dreams, in life, quilting, wherever they might need encouragement. And give them the tools that are needed, to be the best that they can be. I hope that the sincerity is obvious in our conversations.

How do you and April decide on your topics for the week?

Our topics generally flow from our “conversations” through out the week. We are both on iMessage and chat back and forth quite a bit. Sometimes, I’ll have something specific in mind early in the week. Other times is the night before, and I’m struggling to find something great. Show topic ideas are always welcome!

With all that you manage to accomplish, how do you ever get any sleep? Just kidding on that one, but I’m sure inquiring minds want to know!

Lol – I get that question occasionally! I do sleep, but when I’m up, I’m busy! I like to set schedules and deadlines for myself so that I can always be working toward those goals. Even if they are little goals for each day – it makes a difference!

Anything else you’d like to add?

The Quiltcast is a lot of fun, and full of information about quilting. We are committed and fully entrenched in the quilting industry, and look forward to sharing our insights, along with personal projects and how we work to get so much done week to week. I hope you will try listening if you haven’t yet!

I echo Amy’s words and encourage you to check out the Quiltcast. It’s available via iTunes and Stitcher. There’s also a player in each of the Quiltcast blog posts along with notes from the show.