Megan Best

Apr 22, 2020

April Border/Bindings Challenge

Updated: Apr 25, 2020

This months challenge was a REAL challenge for me. I have really stopped putting borders on quilts; mostly just floating the quilt on a bit more background if any border at all.

I knew what my mind had for piecing the pattern and decided to add a curved binding to the quilt . The interesting border would be floating a dark to light background with some quilted in "ghost" units.

I decided to use an Accuquilt Die, the Wedge.

I have been intrigued with this die for a while and this became the perfect opportunity to create an amazing quilt.

I chose to use this 10" Square grouping. There is 2 squares of each fabric, and I was able to cut 3 wedges from each square. I also had 2 yards of each of the 2 coordinate fabrics.

This line of fabrics is called Santa

Fe and is available now in your local Island Batik retailer.

I really love using the Accuquilt cutter. It is FAST to cut this whole quilt, with minimal waste.

Here is the leftover bits from the 10" square:

I ended up with 6 wedges of each fabric, and I placed the wedges together to create what I called lanterns: 2 of the wedges placed together to create a VERY long hexagon style shape. I have no idea where I come up with the names for my quilt piecing, but the name stuck.

I ended up placing the lanterns in a pleasing random combination.

I layered the piecing over the background fabrics to see how the "lanterns" floated on the teal and turquoise fabrics. It was pretty quick to pice this quilt in rows.

I added strips of the turquoise on one end and strips of the teal on the other end.

I may have unstitched a few to balance out the colors.

Once I finished the top, at about 65" square, I pondered the quilting.

I laid it out on the floor for a few days.

I draw out my quilting plan on my computer. I import a picture of the quilt into Microsoft Whiteboard, and I can draw and doodle on the quilt until I find a plan that I like.

I quilted straight lines with ghost images of the lanterns, quilted in a contrast thread.

I also quilted in some of the lanterns, the same ribbon candy quilting design.

I used Hobbs Heirloom batting, My favorite batting!

When I finished quilting the quilt, I trimmed the quilt with a curve edge ruler.

The corners were done with a corner curve ruler, though a 6" circle will do. I did not worry too much about the corners matching up. The quilt is pretty random so I didn't get overly concerned that the edges would not match. They aren't perfectly symmetrical and that is fine with me!

Yes I closed the rotary cutter! I used the small cutter in the curved ruler. It seems to work better than the larger cutter.

I cut bias 1.25" strips for a single width bias binding. I didn't think that I would have enough of the turquoise fabric for 2.5" cut binding, so I went with a single width. I matched the binding to the background, so it really just finished the edge without adding another color to the edge. I pieced it and pressed 1/4" on one long edge.

I don't pin the binding down, I just stitch it down without stretching the binding. be very gentle when applying binding to a curved edge. It will press out better if not stretched.

I am generally a really fast sewist, but I REALLY took my time to add this binding!

I LOVE this turquoise batik! it is positively yummy!

When pressing the single binding out from the front, be very careful to only press the stitched line, not any farther out!

I press over to the back and then machine stitch down, from the front, in the ditch. I am very careful and pretty much catch the other side 99% of the time. I will check and restitch any parts that don't catch. I do not hand stitch bindings. They would never get done if that was the only way to finish! Some people really enjoy stitching the binding down by hand. I feel that you do what brings you joy. Binding by hand does not bring me joy.

I use these clips to help keep the binding in the right place. I LOVE these wonder clips!

I press the whole quilt, and take its portrait.

a few close ups:

What am I going to do with this quilt?

I love to add color to a bedroom, This is the perfect size to pop onto the top of a solid quilt to add color to a room. I have a white quilt on my own bed and add seasonal quilts for decoration on top of the main quilt. My guestroom bed has a bright quilt, but white on the other side, so I can flip and add other quilts for fun.

I will also put a quilt on my porch bench.

I live in the Pacific North West where we want to sit outside much more that it is comfortable, so a quilt is often welcome!

Thanks to my sponsors:

Island Batik, Accuquilt, Hobbs Batting.

I received the products at no charge.

In the light of current events, we really need to find some joy.

The bright colors and act of creating with fabric can bring so much joy in a stressful time. I will continue to create in the next few months while I am at home not traveling and teaching.

Follow me on Instagram to find more fun and colorful quilt projects (and some gardening and cooking too!). @bestquilter

Be sure to visit all the Island Batik Ambassadors:

Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen

Megan Best ~ Bestquilter

Pamela Boatright ~ Pamela Quilts

Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter

Vasudha Govindan ~ S toried Quilts

Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for Quilts

Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood