Inspired Star Block Quilts. Sandy Berg

get it as smooth as possible.

      •If your backing has been pieced, press your seams to one side to make a stronger seam.

      •Remove any threads or other debris (pet hair can be a big issue) from your quilt top and backing. These threads can shadow through lighter fabrics and spoil the look of your beautiful quilt.

      •Press your quilt top and make sure that all seams are as flat as possible.

       Binding the Quilt

       A double-fold binding is one of the most common ways to finish a quilt. This method covers the edges of your quilt with two layers of fabric, giving the edge a nice, durable finish.

      Measure all four sides of the quilt top to determine the amount of binding needed. Cut enough strips of fabric to completely go around this measurement with at least 12–15" (30.48–38.10cm) (or more) in excess. Whenever possible, cut the strips across the width of the fabric from the fold to the selvages, to make the binding a little easier to handle. I cut my binding strips to 2¼" (5.72cm) for the binding but 2½" (6.35cm) strips are a common size used by many quilters.

      1 Sew the strips together to create one continuous binding strip. Join the strips using diagonal seams. With right sides together, lay the strips out at a right angle and mark a line from one intersection to the other, as shown.

      2 Place a couple of pins on either side of the line to keep the pieces in place. Sew on the marked line.

      3 Continue adding strips in this manner. Trim one end of the long strip, using the 45° line on a ruler.

      4 Fold the long strip of binding in half, lengthwise, with wrong sides together, (WST), and press.

      5 Align the raw edges of the binding with the edge of the quilt top. Begin attaching the binding to the quilt, with the angled cut end at least 10"–12" (25.40–30.48cm) from a corner. Take a couple backstitches to secure the thread.

      6 As you approach a corner, stop ¼" (0.64cm) away with the needle in the down position. Lift the presser foot and pivot the quilt 45°. The presser foot should be facing away from the corner. Sew to the corner, cut the threads, and remove the quilt from the machine.

      7 Fold the binding back, aligning the binding along the straight line of the quilt and using the 45° sewn line as a guide.

      8 Fold the binding back down on itself, aligning the raw edge of the binding with the edge of the quilt top on the next side.

      9 Place the quilt top back under the presser foot and sew to the next corner. Repeat step 6–8 at each corner. Stop within 10"–15" (25.40–38.10cm) of the beginning of the sewn binding.

      10 To join the ends of the binding, lay the quilt on a flat surface. Open up the end of binding and smooth it so it lays flat on the quilt top. Open the beginning end, the end with the angled cut, and smooth it out on top of the ending. This helps determine where to place the joining seam. Secure with a pin or two to keep it in place.

      11 Making sure that the quilt and binding pieces are completely flat, make a mark on the ending binding piece, along the angled cut, as shown. Remove the pins, pull aside the angled end of the binding. and align the 45° line of a ruler along the edge of the strip.

      12 Move the edge of the ruler ½" (1.27cm) from the first mark. Make sure that the new line is marked in the same direction as the cut on the starting end. Cut the strip at the new marked diagonal line.

      13 Match the 45° cuts from each end, placing right sides together. Pin the pieces together.

      14 Sew the ends together using a ¼" (0.64cm) seam. Press the seam open. Refold the binding in half and realign along the edge of the quilt. Sew the binding in place to finish attaching it to the quilt.

       Labeling the Quilt

       Your quilt is not complete until you add a label.

      Identify the name of the quilt, who the quilt is for, if it is to be a gift, start and/or finish dates, your name, the recipient’s name, the occasion (such as a birthday or anniversary), and any information that might be important to remember about the quilt.

      “Crossing Boundaries”

      An original quilt designed, pieced and machine quilted by Sandy Berg for Raspberry Bramble Designs

      Pattern # RBD105

      Started November 2018

      Completed December 2018

       Projects