This is a handy way to bind quilts or anything where you are trimming with eyelet lace or any sort of decoration.

Step 1.  You will be sewing the eyelet lace onto the back of the quilt.  IMPORTANT: The eyelet lace needs to be right side up!  Don’t dismiss that.  Line up the edge of the gathered eyelet lace with the raw edge of the quilt.  Stitch down the eyelet lace just along the gathered section.

Stitched at the gathered section of the eyelet lace, right side up, along the back edge of the quilt.

When are you stitching around the corner, cut a little slit at the gather section (NOT INTO THE LACE) to give the lace some give as you stretch it around the corner.

Tiny slit into the gathered section of the eyelet lace to make it around the corner.

Once you have made it around the quilt you’ll need to connect the lace.  This process will require you to leave at least 3″ of eyelet lace unstitched on either side or it will be impossible to work.  Simply stitch the two ends together at a section where you can line up the ωωω and stitch to the center of the ω for a seamless effect.  Trim off the additional eyelet lace and leave 1/4″ and iron the seam closed to either side.  Then continue to stitch the remaining eyelet lace into place.

Line up the ωωω and stitch to the center of the ω for a seamless effect.

Step 2.  Determine the width you would like your binding to appear on the front of the quilt and double that width, then add 1/2″ that will be sewn in and hid.  For the quilt I am sharing, my finished width is 1/2″.  That means I needed to cut 1 1/2″ of binding strips.

1 1/2" binding strips

To connect your strips check out the picture below for the best way to see the technique.  Stitch from corner to corner, then trim the excess and leave 1/4″ that you’ll iron closed and press to the side.  DO NOT CONNECT ALL STRIPS.  You only need enough to sew along each side, not attaching the corners.  In other words, you’ll need four strips total in the length of each side of your quilt with a few inches to spare on all sides.

Connecting binding strips.

Step 3.  Fold your binding strips in half horizontally and iron them.

Step 4.  Place the raw edge of the binding strips along the raw edge of the quilt and gathered eyelet lace.  You are still working on the backside of the quilt.  You will stitch down the binding 1/4″ in from corner to corner leaving 3″ unstitched on either end.  You’ll need to connect the corners and need some wiggle room.  While you are sewing the binding down it is a very good idea to make sure the eyelet lace is not bunched and laying crooked.  I gently tug at it as I make my way along the edge of the quilt.

Stitch the raw edge of the binding 1/4" in, on the top of the eyelet lace.

Step 5.  You have made it to the corners…horray!  This part is a bit tricky, but you can do it!  Trim off the excess binding.  Mark the corners where they meet with an erasable fabric pen.

Mark the corners where they meet with an erasable fabric pen.

You’ll use the marked corners to match up the binding.  Then you will stitch from the marker to the corner of the binding.

Pinned corners.

Before you trim the excess fabric off, make sure the corner fits perfectly.  If it doesn’t, rip out the thread and try again.  Once you have it perfect, cut off the excess fabric leaving 1 /4″, but this time you will iron the seam OPEN.  Then simply stitch 1/4″ around the corner.  It is helpful to sew with the needle down so it is simple to rotate once you reach the corners.  Repeat 3 more times and finish all corners.

Iron the corner seam OPEN!

Step 6.  Pat yourself on the back.  You are on the home stretch and this part is easy!  Flip the quilt over.  You’ll now be working on the front.  Fold the binding over to the front leaving the eyelet lace to your right.  Make sure it isn’t tucked under your quilt.  You will now stitch along the very edge of the binding, hiding the raw edge of the quilt, gathered eyelet lace, and raw binding.

Stitch along the very edge of the binding.

If you sew with your needle down, making the corners will be a breeze.  Depending on the thickness of the material you are working with, you may need to trim out any bulk in your corners.  Feel free to do so, but don’t get to close to your thread stitches.  Keep going along the entire circumference of your quilt.

YOU’RE DONE!  Phew, hope you love it!  This is a fun way to add decoration to a quilt or any project you may be working on.

Eyelet Lace Binding

♥ R

NOTE:  If you are fuzzy on any part of my directions please feel free to contact me.  I’m here to help!

I use a sandwiching technique that requires carpet.  If you only have a hardwood floor click here for step by step instructions from Oh, Fransson!. I do not agree with every technique she promotes, but knowing about various perspectives is healthy.  You’re bound to find one that works for you.

Step one is making sure your carpeted area is free of clutter and clean.  So break out that vacuum.  Place the back upside down onto the carpet.  You will be pinning the circumference of the fabric.  Make sure the pins are coming towards you as if to poke your knees.  If the pins are turned the other way, the fabric will slip.  Save yourself the headache and do not close the pins.  During this process you will pin opposing sides versus going clockwork.  This is because you will be lightly stretching the fabric, side to side, making the fabric extremely taught and wrinkle free.

Press the safety pin into the carpet, facing out. Do not close the pin.

Next, using the batting of your choice, lay onto the stretched fabric and smooth out.  I prefer using bonded cotton batting, but have been known to find 100% cotton blankets on sale.  Be creative.  With that being said, the major perk to using bonded cotton is the magical fleece like texture that acts as a magnet to the fabric.  Bonded cotton makes pinning a breeze and it’s much easier to quilt.  Think of cling plastic wrap.  Yes, it’s that amazing!

Bonded Cotton Batting - Center Layer. I've flipped over the right side to expose the back and pinning technique for viewing.

Once the batting is smooth, lay down the top face up.  The lower 2 layers should be larger in size giving you some flexibility on placement.  Don’t try to save fabric and batting by cutting them to the exact size of the top.  You “might” be able to pull it off, but it’s doubtful.  Give yourself a few inches, or more, on all sides and keep your sanity.  This is just a strong suggestion, but one you will appreciate.  Smooth out the top and make sure your squares are in alignment and not wonky.  Next, start pinning.  You will close these safety pins.  Go slow and be careful not to mess up your smoothed quilt as you work.  I start at the bottom and work my way up.  Be liberal on pinning and make sure you get through all layers.  Avoid pinning the carpet.  Once you have pinned throughout the quilt top, finish by pinning around the circumstance of the quilt.  Then you may remove all the safety pins used to stretch the back fabric.  Trim off excess fabric and batting, leaving at least 2 inches of wiggle room.

Pinning Complete

Ready for quilting.

♥ R

1.  Cut 9 different 12″ X 12″ Squares

1. 9, 12" X 12" Squares

2.  Stack all 9 squares in a pile.  The stacking order is not important but once determined, the squares will need to remain in that particular order for the process to work.

2. Stack

3.  Make a diagonal cut through all layers.  Take the top piece of the right stack and move it to the bottom of that stack.  Stitch the squares back together 1/4″ in, making sure to keep them in the same order.

3. 1st Diagonal Cut

4.  Repeat this process on the left side.  However, this time you will take the top 2 pieces and move them to the bottom on that stack, keeping the squares in the same order.

4. 2nd Diagonal Cut

5.  Rotate the square and repeat the same process on the right side.  This time you will move the top 3 pieces to the bottom of the right stack and stitch the square together.  Do not try to match the seams together, it isn’t possible.  It’s a crazy patch after all…so don’t worry about it.

5. 3rd Diagonal Cut

6.  Keeping the square rotated, repeat on the left side.  This time you will take the top 6 pieces and move them to the bottom of the left stack and stitch the square back together.  At this point, you don’t need to keep the squares in order.

6. 4th Diagonal Cut

7.  Trim all finished blocks to 10 1/2″ squares.

7. 9 Crazy Patch Squares

I repeat this process twice for crib size quilts, which leaves me 6 extra squares to play with on the back of the quilt.  When I make a toddler size quilt, I repeat 3 times, which leaves me 3 extra squares to add onto the back.  I use 2 1/2″ (2″ finished) sashing to complete the top.

Get stitching…

♥ R

… Because I can!

… Seasons in your life change & so do I!

… So there!

Quilting came into my life before I was a fleeting thought.  It’s true!  It can be traced back through EVERY generation on my mother’s side, which is interesting.  Quilting is said to skip a generation but not in our family.  The ties are strong and undeniable.  It’s a strange phenomenon that I quilt.  I’m not really the “traditional” homemaker type.  I really don’t like household duties.  I can’t sit still.  I’m slightly A.D.D.; meaning I get bored easily.  BUT…

In 2003, I was visiting my “quilter extraordinaire” mother.  My son was just a few months old and I had 3 weeks to do whatever I wanted in Hawaii.  Grandma took over the motherly duties and nagged at me to make my first quilt out of the MOUNDS of scraps she had accumulated.  I thought, actually, I said, “NO WAY!”  But if you know my mother, you also know she always wins.  Literally, that woman will not take no for an answer and is incredibly persuasive.

Within a day or so I was piecing together fabrics and cutting squares.  My first attempt at quilting and I decide to go QUEEN size, which ate up my entire vacation.  Did I mind?  Not one bit!  I LOVED QUILTING!

So there you have it.  I am a full-time mommy.  I am a full-time employee.  I am a full-time student.  I am a quilter, as if I have time.  But I make time.  All we have is time.  Then it’s over.  So whether you are doing the tango and speeding through life or like me and slowing down…enjoy what you are doing.

My mind is in creative mode and I am really enjoying the quilts I am creating.  It’s a “tiptoe” process and I’m simply loving every moment.  Except when I’m ripping out stitches…lets be real.

Check back for quilt-a-longs…coming soon!

Last night was spent escaping my quilting wonderland.  I ran into Pahoa with a few girlfriends of mine.  Needed to do a little catch up with one long lost girl pal that now lives in L.A., CA.  She skedattled this morning back to city life.  Poor girl!  We ate dinner at Nings, an amazing Thai food restaurant.  Delicious!  Another friend of mine was doing some Champagne Ponds lounging and was awesome enough to stop by for a quick hello that turned into an extra 2 for dinner.  He had a buddy from Oahu with him.  We had a good time for sure!

I arrived home in time to sew ribbon onto a 8.5″ X 16.5″ piece of tan khakis I found.  That rectangle is still in progress as my B.Y.O.B. session resulted in an earlier than later bedtime.

Here’s the latest…

Block Squares

8 1/2" 3X3 Block Squares, Top Right

8 1/2" 3X3 Windmill Squares, Bottom Left

Crochet Butterflies

Hidden Butterfly

Playing with thread pattern modes

Ribbons, will soon have jean cherry blossoms

Escaping Butterflies

Butterfly

I’m enjoying watching the progression.  I definitely need to take a step back tonight and think about filling in the blanks.  I’m keeping a majority of the quilt plain ol jean used from old jeans I have left over from a prior project of my mothers.  I need to make sure there’s ebb and flow.  Challenging.  Bringing these random squares together might be rough.  I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

This is what I’ve got so far.  The highlights anyway…

Windmill Pattern

Pocket full of posies

Peek a boo

Popies

Whimsy

Mr. Puffer & Friends

Walk in the rain

Windmill Pattern

Blue Bird

Squirrel

Building Blocks