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Friday, February 07, 2020

Bind This, Bind That!


Let the evening binding activity recommence!

It’s been a while since anything has been in my lap for binding.  I’m trying to think, but I believe it’s been more than a month.  Right around New Year’s Eve I believe.

What’s a girl to do with an empty binding queue?

I found myself needing to readjust a couple of things in my Quiltville Post Office work space.

Vintage sewing machine cabinets (Like some vintage folding card tables for sewing machines that I posted about last month) didn’t all come in a standard height.  The further you go back, the shorter the people were, and the shorter the sewing machine cabinets were as well.

Brainy moment and a quick fix:


Mid-century cabinet containing my 301.

(Has anyone seen my hotel room key seam guide? I can't find it anywhere! LOL!)

I love this cabinet (And yes, it came with the stool you see to the side, too – which is still too short for me to sit upon!) from the 1950s.  That blonde oak is so indicative of that time period, isn’t it? Bit it sits far too low for my 5’ 9’’ frame.

I sit in an ergonomic task chair, and while I can lower the chair, to get the chair to the correct height for the table top, The chair seat is too low and the reach of my legs too long to be comfortable for my knees.  It’s not as simple as raising or lowering a chair.

I braved the rain, went out under the side porch at Quiltville Inn next door, and grabbed 6 bricks.  I used 3 for each cabinet so they are the same height. (One machine stays with a walking foot specifically for the task of binding.

This will do for now.  It’s a much better height for me.  It will keep me from bending over a machine in too short of a table.

I can now have my chair at a comfortable height so there is no strain on my knees and I can reach the foot pedal comfortably.

They aren’t pretty – but the fact that these are site made bricks, circa 1880s makes me smile! I will come up with something better in the future.  It was just what I needed to comfortably tackle the job at hand.

While I was in a binding mood – this also happened:


The last of the tulip cushions also received binding!


I stitched it up first thing so it was done.

And then I proceeded to bind the Jack’s Delight quilt.


Yes I bind backwards from most folks.

But this is the way I am most comfortable.

I also don’t need any pins or clips to hold my binding over the edge as my left thumb holds it in place as I stitch to the left. (My hand is  holding the phone and taking this photo )  I just fold the binding over, hold it in place with my left hand and stitch with my right.  I use a ladder stitch for nearly invisible stitching.  38 years of binding, and this is what works for me. I am happy with this binding fabric choice!

With today’s Quilt of Valor group coming for a Sew Day at Quiltville Inn, and not knowing how many sewing stations will be occupied, I brought this quilt with me this morning so that I may just pull up a comfy chair in the Hen Den and enjoy some friendly stitching with other folks.

The wood stove is already fired up, warming and making things cozy.  The gas fireplaces in the Quilting Quarters are also lit – ready for quilters to arrive.

It rained all night – there was even a bit of snow this morning as I made my way to the Inn about 6:30am.  Clouds have now blown away – it’s still quite wet and windy so the big challenge will be getting everyone’s stuff into the house without having to walk across the soggy grass. That means front steps.  I’ll be on hand to help carry things in and out.


Framed and ready to hang!

And you can see, Dresden is curious as to what I am doing with this envelope in a frame.  It’s going to hang here at the QPO.  I’ll find the right spot.  It’s too precious not to keep this way.

I’ve been asked if I’m going to do a half-price pattern of the month for February. Yes.  And it is coming. I just have a few more things to do first – and we will only be running it for 2 weeks. But it is a special you won’t want to miss, so hold on to your hats!


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

I love what Sandra Kring wrote:

"The Tiny Seed knew that in order to grow, it needed to be dropped in dirt, covered with darkness, and struggle to reach the light."

Keep pushing through the dirt and reaching up!

Have a Fabulous Friday, everyone!




37 comments:

HospiceNP said...

I use a ladder stitch for my bindings too! I will try doing it "upside down" like you do and see if it is even better. Love the quote, absolutely true!

cityquilter grace said...

hmmm short cabinet in need of short person...now who could that be??? lol...signed grace 5'1"....lol

Cindy Quilts said...

That way of binding doesn't seem backwards to me at all! I bind the same, also with no pins or clips. I find they just get in my way or the tread tangles on them. I love your quilts!

Gwen said...

I love binding and do it the same way you do. I've never understood why people use pins and clips.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

I hold my quilts for binding in exactly the same way! You are not alone, LOL!!

Lorraine said...

What sewing chair did you order for Quiltville Inn? I need a new one.

Natalie in Maine said...

I have that same cabinet, but no chair. Have a great day Bonnie.

Charon said...

I do my binding the same way and I didn't even know that it was backwards!

Carol Weber said...

That's backward?? Too funny: I bind the same way, holding things down with my left hand thumb, and I've always wondered why people wanted/needed binder clips to hold down binding as they sew. Now I have a much better idea, LOL!

Leah said...

I was so hoping you'd frame that envelope and hang it in the QPO. What a lovely artifact!

Beth in TN said...

Bonnie, I bind that same way. Didn't know I was going about it backward!

Judy in Michigan said...

I love the green border on your latest quilt. It makes all the colors in the quilt pop and does not detract from the central focus which should be the main blocks. What a great quilt! I also love the scrappy sashing!! If I mail you something, do I need more than Bonnie Hunter, Quiltville Inn, Mouth of Wilson, VA + zip??? Hugs.

dorothy said...

That is the way I have always done my binding too. Haven't tried any hand sewing since my carpal tunnel surgery, on both hands, but that is the plan to be able to hand sew again.
Have fun with your group of quilters coming in.

Mónica said...

Didn't you bind license plate placemats not long ago? I am also binding one of the previous mysteries: Good Fortune. Frolic Quilt is finished, washed and drying. I am on a roll!

Linda in Arkansas said...

Good Morning Bonnie! Just quick comment to say I'm still enjoying working on Frolic. I'm almost done making the blocks. Thank you so much! I too put on binding just like you, working towards the left. No pins or clips needed. It is so relaxing. And yes, that is the perfect fabric for the binding.

Valerie said...

I'd be tempted just to continue to use the site-made bricks. It would make me smile every time I sat to sew there (Unless, of course, the cabinets rattle or vibrate off the brick.) And I love that you have that reminder of your QPO's original life.

80 Oaks said...

As always, thank you for the blog and your time, quick question, when will the pattern for Jack's Delight be available?

BrenWall61@gmail.com said...

I believe I am going to try your binding method of holding with the left hand.

Cpqwilts said...

I’ve always done my bindings just like that. Didn’t know that there was another way. I guess it’s easier to do just what comes naturally and enjoy the process!

Bug Lady said...

Thanks for sharing your hand binding technique as I too hand bind the same way as you. Love your blog and have a good time with your valor group. Karen

Bonnie Baker Lippincott said...

I didn’t know I bind “backwards!” That’s funny. I do use one clip, my hands are not quite strong enough to hold that way for long. Binding is one of my favorite quilting jobs. I love this quilt you are binding.

Tammie said...

I too bind right to left. Going the other direction seems awkward. Hope you have a blast with the ladies coming today!

Marti said...

Oh dear Bonnie!! You and I solve problems the same way!! Love it!

deanna quilts said...

I must do binding backwards to, that is the exact same way I do binding. Thanks for all you do !!

Michelle S. said...

Bonnie binding right to left makes so much since. Binding left to right has always felt awkward to me and my stitches are pretty ugly. I'm going to try your approach and see if I can improve to look of my bindings. Thank you for sharing your style.
I learn so much from following your blog, thank you for all you do.
Michelle

Gram said...

I bind “backwards” just as you do, but never realized it was backwards! Just makes sense to me. I also hold the binding down with my left hand and love not having to use pins or clips! Thanks for all your detailed posts. I enjoy your tips, adventures, and antics!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I bind the same way you do, but I use clips, since I have arthritis in my thumbs. I've had hubby make me risers for one of my sewing machine tables. I haven't thought about doing it for a cabinet.

celia ambrose said...

I bind the same direction as you! It is the only way I've ever done it.

Emma said...

Wait... Stitching to the left when putting on binding isn't the way everyone does it? It's the only way I've done it since I learned to quilt back in the 90s. Huh.

Cindy P. said...

I’ve always done my bindings the same way, which is akin to when I used to hem garments. I’ve had many say I do it backwards as well. Hey, maybe they are doing it backwards! I’m so envious of your 301 cabinet and machine, as that is what I learned to Sew on when growing up in the 50’s & 60’s. Unfortunately it went up in flames when my sister’s garage caught fire recently and burned to the ground. I’m still on the look out for one like it! Thanks for the nice quote of the day too!

karenf said...

That's how I bind, except I do use clips. I had no idea I was backwards. What size needle?

Janet Travis said...

I would have been able to sew on your low cabinet! I'm only 5 ft. No need for me to add bricks, haha. But you are the master of coming up with a fix to make things work with what you have. Good for you.

Barbara D said...

But isn't that THE way to stitch on binding?? At least that's the way I've always done it. Of course I taught myself to quilt in 1990 when patterns mostly said stuff like "quilt as desired, then bind" after posting general fabric guidelines and templates that I translated into rotary cutting dimensions. I did start using clips to prep leftward a little more gently for my grumpy hands. Still working on Frolic meself, and enjoying the play of colors as I stitch all the bits together.

MissPat said...

If the appearance of the bare bricks bothers you, you could always wrap some fabric around them to disguise them. Judging from the comments today, there are a lot of us backward binders out there. It's the only way I've ever done it.
Pat

Barb Johnson said...

Bonnie, I bind the same way that you do. It just feels natural. I never knew that there was another way!

Deborah said...

I bind "upside down" too. I have tried the other way but it just doesn't work for me.

Maurine J said...

I love your framed envelope--I can't make it out, is it actually postmarked Jan 6, 1961?!?!? That is the day I was born! How cool is that?

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