B is for basting and binding

 

Basting and binding would be probably my two least favourite parts of making a quilt.... well basting is anyway

Basting

Patchwork quilts are made up of 3 layers of the quilt ;the "top" which is the part that is usually pieced ie the patchworked bit of the quilt; the backing which is often one piece of fabric which may be joined in order to obtain the required width however increasingly this is also being pieced. (I do it to use up fabric and left over block) and the wadding or batting which is the warm bit that goes in between.

Basting is the process where by these 3 layers are secured together temporarily so that they can be quilted. Securing them together means they wont shift about and thus when quilted there wont be puckers, pleats or other such nasties and so the top will have batting and backing under it. The backing and the batting are cut larger than the top (usually 4" is the preferred amount - essential if you are having the the quilting done on a machine called a longarm) The excess is trimmed off once the quilting is completed

The first step for basting is laying the pieces out... first the backing is stretched out. I usually do it on a table (we have a great one at our patchwork room) It is smoothed out right side down and secured by clamps or tape. It needs to be smooth, and firm but not tight so as the fabric doesn't distort. Then the batting is laid over the top and again smoothed out and secured firmly by the same clamps or new tape. Lastly the quilt top is smoothed out on top, right side up again it needs to be smooth and firm but not distorted. Once it is secured in place (making sure it is straight and has wadding and backing under all of it) the 3 layers are secured together.

This large quit, made from men's ties was pin basted on the big table at the club rooms

Pinning out a quilt at home. It was a smaller quit so I could manage it on my cutting table

The traditional way of basting a quilt was with needle and thread. Large tacking stitches were sewn across the length and breadth of the quilt about 3" apart. I have only done this to a quilt a couple of times. Once a friend who only stitch basted and the other times partially done when I ran out of pins. 

Pins are my preferred method. The pins are placed 3" (or clenched fist) apart. When pinning it is good to have worked out how the quilt is going to be quilted so as to avoid pinning where you plan on stitching. ie if you are going to quilt it stitch in the ditch (down the seam lines) you keep the pins away from the seams etc.

There are other methods of basting. There is a "gun" which pins with plastic loops through all three layers (like a pricing gun) I've never used it or seen it used. 

Spray basting is a popular method of basting, especially for smaller projects. The backing is sprayed with a basting glue using an aerosol can. The batting is placed on and smoothed down and then the batting is again sprayed before the top is placed down.

The advantage of thread basting and glue basting is that when quilting you are much freer to quilt where you like - you don't have to avoid pins or stop quilting to remove the pins. The pins are tedious to use - they have to be placed, closed, then later removed. Sore fingers from closing the pins is common for me (There are gadgets designed to help close them and many people use a teaspoon but I have never really mastered the knack)

Spray basting is smelly and can be messy. Overspray is an issue. If you spray your table it becomes sticky. The spray basting is also an on going expense. The pins once purchased can be used over and over, not so the spray.

Thread basting takes longer than pins but many people like it who are used to it. I have never done it enough to become proficient at it. The threads are left in till quilting is completed and then removed at the end.

When I was first learning to quilt I had trouble with layering my quilt and not getting puckers and pleats in it. I felt I worked so hard at stretching it out and yet I would end up with these nasties. It was also tedious to do. Nowadays I am much more proficient at the job and if I pin it at a group gathering there are usually a few people who willing help with the job which makes it so much quicker. The feelings of frustration and tedium from those early years remains as a dislike of pinning out quilts to this day.

These 3 methods plus one other are described well on the Craftsy website here

Binding

Binding is usually the last part of the process of making a quilt. It is when fabric is stitched around the edge of the quilt, folded over and stitched down again. This covers the edge of the quilt and gives it a neat finish. Binding is usually cut between 2-3" wide (mine is usually 2.5") The length is calculated as being the perimeter of the quilt plus 10" or so. The fabric is folded in half and pressed then pinned around the edge of the quilt. 

Traditionally the binding is pinned to the right side of the quilt, with the cut sides lining up with the edge of the quilt.. The corners are mitred The ends are joined (there are lots of different ways to join the two ends )  This is my favourite method.

Then the binding is folded over to the wrong side of the quilt and hand stitched down.

I say traditionally because more and more people are choosing to machine the binding down both sides and this is how I am doing it most of the time. I sew it to the wrong side of the quilt, fold it over and then again machine the other side down having matched the edge of the binding with the sewing line or the initial machine stitching. I choose a decorative stitch usually. Its not as neat but is way quicker. 

My quilts are utilitarian - they get used and so need washing more frequently than many. The machining is sturdier than my hand stitching. But my quilts don't win awards at shows.