Binding On!

The moment arrived!  It was time to trim off that excess backing and batting, straighten the edges, square the corners and get some binding on!

Yes, you can see from the photo that my backing included spiders on spider webs, because why not?

I had several yards of this print...not quite enough for a back, but enough that I was able to just incorporate a couple of other pieces and make do with it.

Besides - did you know that spiders and their webs were considered to be good luck in early quilts? You'll often find their motifs in the form of embroidery on vintage crazy quilts, and even some of our favorite string pieced patterns are referred to as "spider web."

Spiders are not just for Halloween!

I'm often asked why I don't apply my binding by long arm while in the frame.

Because in all of my 40+ years of quilting I have yet to see a quilt with perfectly straight edges or truly square corners.

If I want the binding to miter correctly at the corners and not turn out a bit wavy on the sides, I prefer to trim the quilt before adding my binding by machine.

You can't see it in this photo, but my corners did need just a bit of slivering up to get them to square.

String blocks are on the bias, and that bias will push and pull and wave a bit in the quilting process.

Red polka dot binding for the win!

And the cutie patootie koalas are smiling!

This is where things stand right now.

I haven't started stitching down the binding yet - I think I have developed a pinched nerve in my nexk that is radiating downward behind my left scapula and into my left arm to about my elbow.  

It's painful.

The culprit (I believe) is PHONE NECK.  And also HAND STITCHING NECK.  My head is usually bent over my work. The pain has become persistent.

I've been doing stretches, getting deep tissue massage - and I thought I was doing better until the other night when it got terribly worse and I couldn't even sleep comfortably, couldn't roll over in bed without pain.

Chiropractor today, Physical therapy on Monday, and more massage (different therapist...trying to find the right one) coming up next Wednesday.

Which means I have been slow on getting the hexie section added to that quilt, too.

Tula making a couch visit.

When she is sleeping with both eyes closed she looks normal.

I just want to kiss her sweet toe beans!

The release date for my Scrap-Savvy book is almost here!  Did you get your pre-order in?

The folks at C&T publishing let me know that my blog post is up and live on their site.  You can check it out HERE and leave a comment there letting them know you were there and let them know you have pre-ordered if you have.

Thank you for all of your help in getting the word out!

If you haven't pre-ordered, it's also available for pre-order on Amazon. And please encourage your local shops to get this book in.  It's a treasure trove of 30 of my best-loved quilts all in one volume - a greatest hits album for scrap quilt enthusiasts!

Can you believe she is this far already?

Evah is on a roll and I bet she has those borders on before the week is over!

I love this in blue so much.  What colors/fabrics are you using for yours?

Did you get your entry in?

I'll be drawing for two winners who will each receive a String Rings PDF pattern from me and...

A Rainbow Remix Color Roll from our friends at  Cotton to Quilts!  

Color rolls consist of 20 different pieces each 8''X 22" and are great stash enhancers - be sure to also check out their Notable Neutral rolls - you can never have enough fun neutrals on hand.

I think we've got all of the details out there - are you ready to enter?

Enter to win on my 6/17/26 Blog Post.  Winners will be drawn Monday 6/29/26.

If your stash is overflowing with strips and scraps, String Rings is the answer! Full color photos and graphics and multiple construction options for piecing the way you want to piece. A scrap lover’s dream!

Includes string piecing on foundations, traditional rotary cutting with options, and foundation paper-piecing options for the connector "B" block.

Quilt Size: 101” X 101”

Optional but helpful: Essential Triangle Tool.

Traditional rotary cutting methods are given for those who don't have access to the ruler.

Intro pricing:  The PDF pattern for String Rings is on automatic 25% discount in the Quiltville Store through 6/30/26 - No coupon code needed!  Discount applied at checkout.

You only need an EMAIL ADDRESS to purchase PDF patterns.

Do not use auto-fill to make your purchase which will automatically fill inn your shipping details! Just fill in your name and email address ONLY.

Place the item in your shopping cart and then go to the cart page to check out choosing either your credit card option or Paypal. Shipping addresses should not apply as this is a digital pattern purchase. 

The Mississippi Stitchers began to arrive yesterday afternoon around 4pm - most of them were there when I headed home for dinner.

Some were seen still shopping until the quilt shops closed for the day all across Tennessee.  

Quilters got to do what quilters got to do!

I'll be seeing them this morning and can't wait to see what they'll be up to this week as well, because our Virginia shop hop is going on, too!

How about you? What's on deck for your Thursday?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Admit it, you smile when the veggie showers come on!

I do!

Have a terrific Thursday, everyone -