Hand binding a machine pieced quilt

Hand binding a machine-pieced quilt is very relaxing and easy. Match the thread to the backing of the project and use a slip stitch.

{Edited September 9, 2021}

I am finishing a secret project using Riley Blake Designs Christmas fabrics. The binding is taking hours to complete and I am doing so while listening to music. The binding phase of any project is, to me, like approaching the finish line on a race. Not because I have been racing to finish it (although it does happen sometimes), but because the quilt is practically done and it will be time to celebrate another finish. Next, usually, is the label or sometimes the hanging sleeve as will be the case with this one.

You know, I also love binding a quilt while listening to an audiobook. My all-time favorite book to listen to is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I have listened to it about 6 or 7 times… Yep, that’s me – I give it a few months and then listen to it again.

But I digress. This is how I bind – the edge of the quilt is near me and the bulk of it is on my lap or on the chair/ottoman. I have seen photos where the quilters are holding the edge of the quilt away from them, binding it the other way around. I can’t do it like that – or maybe they are just photographing it that way. For one, the heavy quilt would have to be moved at every little bit; secondly, I would be sweating buckets (I am no longer a spring chicken, you know!).

I use the slip stitch on the binding which is easy to do and hide, as you match the thread to the background fabric. I use one of those thimble pads on the middle finger of my right hand for a better needle grip.

This is one of the blocks… I can tell you this is my favorite Christmas quilt. It will be a Block of the Month and I hope you can get in on it. [Update: The link above shows the entire quilt!]

Toby, the dog, is sleeping through my work. I am sure relaxing music is lulling him into a restful sleep. He went to the groomer this morning and is tired after standing for hours while they trimmed his beautiful coat. Toby is such a good dog and companion.

Anyway, we are very close to the long weekend and I wish you a fantastic one. It will be raining here in Utah (again) so we will probably not have a cookout. I hope you have time to sew! As for me, I still have a while to go to finish hand binding this machine-pieced quilt. See you next week,