Day 2 of the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge
Today’s blog is brought to you in black and white because it is also a blog containing secret sewing!
Secret Sewing
I have been working secretly for the past few weeks, in between customer quilts, to meet a fast-approaching deadline (12/15) with Island Batik for a quilt that will be a part of their Spring/Summer 2018 Catalog (SS18). The fabrics arrived the end of October, but I really didn’t get started with making the quilt until the middle of November. It’s a secret because the fabrics won’t be introduced until Spring…so…black and white and little tiny hints are all I can share. Oh! And it’s an original pattern that will be released about the same time so I can’t even show the quilt top….but it will be worth the wait I promise!
Shortcut Binding Tool
The mystery quilt has been quilted and today it was time to add the binding. I wanted to make this a little special so I decided to make a binding with a flange. This is not a new concept to my quilting but I did simplify it today with a tool I picked up at Festival last year. Disclaimer – this is an honest product review, I was not asked to do this nor paid or gifted any product for my thoughts.
What I like about the Shortcut Binding Tool is the sizes for cutting both the flange and the binding are printed right on the tool so I don’t have to think..that’s always more fun, no thinking just sewing! In addition, there are detailed written instructions with pictures – and guess what! They are in color!
Here’ are the highlights of the process in photos taken today.
The next step was to simply join the two fabrics together to make the long strip needed for binding the quilt. I thought I’d give you a hint of the colors in this quilt – you’re welcome.
To continue with the step by step:
As Ben & Jerry’s always said: “if it’s not fun why do it!”
Was that fast? Yep, that was fast!
Shortcut Binding Tool Summary
Bottom line, I would recommend the Shortcut Binding Tool. As I mentioned I have done this process of making a binding and flange as one unit before but having this tool make the process faster with the marked measurements for cutting and the added bonus of joining the strips together. I love the end result! It’s my firm belief you can never have too many tools in your quilting toolbox! Ask for it at your local quilt shop!
The binding was completed just in time prior to the arrival of my professional photographer! I can’t wait to share this quilt with you! Note: This will also be taught in 2019 on a quilting cruise with Stitchin Heaven that I am over the moon excited about.
This is Karen Overton, The Quilt Rambler, wrapping up Day 2 #31dayblogchallenge #2017blogwritingchallenge. Until tomorrow – Press on!
