Monday, February 27, 2012

Placemats...what was I thinking?

Binding a quilt is probably my least favorite part of the process.  So why did I decide to make new placemats, especially placemats that were done on the longarm which will require binding.  Lots and lots of binding...  Wow!  I am thinking of stitching them down by machine.  Have you done that?  Any tricks for a nice-looking job?  Have you ever made placemats?  I would love to see pictures of ones that you have made...

8 comments:

Diane said...

I really don't like binding either. I think placemats would be a great project for machine binding. I've seen a few good tutorials on blogs-try a google search. I usually machine bind donation quilts since they go to hospitals and could be handled/washed a lot.
Regardless how you finish them, they are very pretty. :)

Hilda said...

Actually I really like binding as it signals the finish! I do just about all my bindings by machine. I stitch it to the back first, fold to front, and topstitch with a matching thread and invisible (poly monofilament) in the bobbin. Some people do just the reverse. I don't pin or glue--too much fussing for me. Try it on your placemats--they'll give you lots of practice!

Becky said...

http://beckyquiltobsession.blogspot.com/2011/01/another-ufo-finish.html This is a picture of the table runner and placemats currently on our table. I bound them by machine, sewing the binding first onto the back, the turning to the front and stitching with a wavy stitch. It is the one used for darning, but with the stitch length set longer and the width set narrower. I see this binding daily, and I'm always amazed at how nice it looks. The wave allows it to pucker nicely after washing without creating waves. I have started doing all my charity quilts, as well as some gift quilts, this way. It is very sturdy and washes well. I hope this helps.

Ruthie said...

I stitch the binding by machine frequently and here's a blog post about the process.
http://threadsofmine.blogspot.com/2008/10/christmas-porch.html

Teresa Silva said...

These place mats are beautiful.....they will be well worth the binding. I just do one placemat a night in front of the tv.

Mom said...

Have to chuckle...I made my mom a dozen placemats for Christmas, and the binding about drove me nuts. I actually learned to do a 1/2-decent machine binding because there was no way it would ever be done by hand!

Annemart Berendse said...

I understand your resistance to binding. But the result is so beautiful!

Amy @ Amy's FMQ Adventures said...

Let me add myself to the crew of folks who add binding to the back, then stitch to the front w/ invisible thread. I use monopoly and a tiny blanket stitch. Works great!

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