It's Bound to be Perfect 

Finishing off your quilts with a perfectly applied binding

Binding Workshop Tools and Materials.rtf

Binding Workshop Tools and Materials.pdf

The binding is the final touch on a quilt and deserves the same thought and care

that went into the rest of the project. Don't let a poorly chosen fabric or a poorly

applied binding detract from all your hard work! This workshop is for anyone who

wants to learn how to bind a quilt or improve their binding techniques.

In this workshop I will cover fabric choices that will enhance your quilt, the

elements that make up a perfect binding and show you how to achieve each of

those elements. I will address how to prepare both the quilt and the binding

material, options on binding width, and hand finished vs. all-machine application,

with an emphasis on not only the "hows" but also the "whys". Tips and tricks will

be included, such as how to achieve that elusive straight and even machine finish,

no-lump strip joins, a no-measure final join, and perfectly mitered corners.

Following the lecture portion, I will demonstrate each step of the techniques and

then participants will practice those on their own small project. In person coaching

will be provided to help attendees master the subject. The focus of this workshop

is on technique, not on making a project.

Jim McKim is the quilting partner of Linda McKim, a longtime member of El Camino Quilt Guild.

He is a retired engineer who is always looking for a problem to solve or a way or improve a

process. His first binding project was a potholder. Over the last 7 years, he has bound over 500

quilts, primarily donations to the Cuddle Quilt group. That's over 2000 mitered corners, 3000

strip joins and millions of stitches. He thinks he has it figured out by now but is still not immune

from making a mistake now and then if his mind wanders.

Supply list

It's Bound to be Perfect Binding Workshop Tools and Materials Tools Sewing machine with zig-zag needle plate (if you can move your needle left-right) (Optional but recommended: single-hole needle plate, also) While I love piecing on a Singer 221 "Featherweight", I don't use it for binding work.

Standard presser foot 1/4" seam presser foot (might use it, might not)

Bi-level, aka "topstitch", presser foot (Not required, but highly recommended. This is the hot ticket to a machine-finish binding.) You want a "left" bi-level foot, for thicker fabric on the right side. Proprietary for some makes (e.g. Pfaff), but any machine that uses the Singer low-shank snap-on design can use this aftermarket foot available on Amazon for $16: DREAMSTITCH F082AP https://tinyurl.com/hncrc5mz. It will fit many Singer, Babylock, Brother, Janome, and Elna machines (more models than listed). Bernina owners may be able to get a low-shank adapter, depending on their machine model, to use this foot and other less-expensive feet.

Usual tools (scissors, seam ripper, etc.) Highly recommended: fingertip stilletto

Rotary cutter and small ruler

Clips or pins (I use clips) - at least 4

Materials

Small project, e.g. placemat, table runner, mini-quilt, baby quilt, or placemat equivalent made from scrap fabric and batting. Must have a perimeter greater than 45". Must already be quilted, basted or pinned, with backing and batting and edges trimmed. Binding fabric strips, cut 2-1/4" or 2-1/2" wide (I normally do 2-1/2"), enough to go around quilt with some extra. Number of strips: figure on quilt perimeter divided by 40" rounded up to the next integer. Ex.: 13"x17" placemat: Perimeter = 2x(13"+17")=60". 60"/40"=1.5 > 2 strips. Threads: Spool with color to match binding fabric. Bobbins: One with color to match binding fabric, one with color to go with backing. This is for machine finishing on top of quilt; for finishing on the back, you need a bobbin thread to match the quilt top. Any questions, contact Jim McKim at jamesemckim@gmail.com or 760.390.9426