More on Using Decorative Stitches for Binding
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I thought I’d do another post with more about using decorative stitches for binding, and go into detail about specific decorative stitches I have used on my quilts. The decorative stitches in this post are different than the one I used in the “How to Attach Binding by Machine” tutorial, and I think I like them better….
Apple Core Quilt with Bernina Decorative Stitch #57 (Aurora 440)
This was an apple core quilt that I made years ago as a class sample. Here is the decorative stitching on the front:
And this is what it looks like on the back:
This is how the corners turned out:
I find that the corners are always the hardest with decorative stitches. You can never line them up exactly, as you will see in the next pics…
~ Tip: Use Clover Wonder Clips! ~
I used wonder clips for the first time with the baby quilts, and found it helped make a much more even stitch, and particularly helped when coming to the corners:
Stop and swivel at the corner…
And the corners end up a bit like this…
Baby Quilt with Janome Decorative Stitch #131
Since I was at the shop and left Nina at home, I used the Janome Horizon, with stitch # 131:
Baby Quilt with Janome Decorative Stitch #124
On the next baby quilt I tried another stitch, Janome Horizon stitch # 124:
It’s very similar to the one I used on my Bernina for the red apple core quilt at the top of this post.
How do you line up the decorative stitches?
Back to the corners… and lining up the decorative stitches.. .well, I don’t even try really. You can never line them up perfectly. I do try to start with the needle in the first position of the decorative stich, I will even set the stitch back on straight, then back to the decorative stitch I am using to make sure it doesn’t start in the middle of a loop for example. But really, I have decided for this part of my quilting journey I need to let go of perfectionism and stick with what the Amish say about their quilts…
~ Only God is Perfect!~
So how do I decide which decorative stitches to choose for my binding?
I’ll post about that another time, so stay tuned 🙂
Hi Joy ,thankyou so much for your tutorial,i dont use decorative stitches much ,so maybe i need to have a go,thankyou my friend xx
I think a lot of us have decorative stitches we never even try – and this is a great solution for baby quilts – no gaps to stick fingers in!!
I have a gazillion fancy stitches. Of course, I need to get some binding on a few things first. One day at a time. 🙂
Wonderful tutorial Joy. I’ve a machine full of decorative stitches & don’t use any unless i need them for a project. You’ve given me food for thought here. 🙂 Hugs,xx
have never thought a bout doing binding this way, it works so well. I do not use the decorative stitchesmuch at all but when and or should I say if I treat myself to a 11″ arm machine I might try and experiment
They look very nice. I’m going to give this a go.
I have always been a “stitch the binding down by hand” kind of quilter, but the decorative stitches do look quite nice. I especially like the first one you showed. I’ll have to see if I have it on my Bernina.
The decorative stitches do give a special look – I’ve mostly hand stitched down my bindings but I see there is a lot more I could be doing!!
I would never have thought to use decorative stitches on binding. I love the effect. Lots of food for thought for future quilts. Pinning for future reference.