Backing and binding as one piece?

On Mon, 5 Feb 2007 07:27:02 -0600, radasa873 wrote (in article ):

You can do it this way if you like. There are no rules in quilting.

Maureen

Sure, you can do that. I've done quilts that way. The edges don't wear quite as well as with a double fold binding, but your 100 year old grandmother probably won't be terribly hard on it. :)

Julia in MN

Mary: Why would the backing fabric be less strong? I use the same quality on the entire quilt, as do most quilters of my acquaintance. So, I am genuinely puzzled and would like to learn something about this. BTW: When I've done this finish, I fold the backing over for two layers.

I do agree that for most cases it is not the best finish. I would not use that finish for a toddler, but IMO it should suffice for this use. In any case, I think the quilt for the 100 year old woman will not be subject to much wear and tear.

TIA, PAT > There are no quilt police, so you can do what you like. This being

One of the local quilt teachers has her students do this. She trims the backing to an inch bigger all the way around, presses the raw edge of the backing in to the edge of the quilt, then folds the whole thing over to the front and sews it down.

Down sides? Not as much fabric at the edge of the quilt. Some people will say that the quilt won't wear as long, but I'm not convinced (when the binding wears through one layer of fabric it looks ratty IMHO, whether there's more fabric or batting right underneath.) I'm used to a more "full" binding, so I don't like the look of a folded over binding. Also, you can't square up the quilt after quilting, nor can you quilt off the edge of the quilt.

Up sides? It's fast.

From what I have seen it usually isn't done well so it messes up the look of the quilt. I don't know if it is because more novice quilters use this technique or what. The corners are not so easy to get looking perfect imo. One gal I know does a zillion charity quilts and uses this method. She she uses a fancy stitch to stitch the edge down and it is great for kids quilts. Hers are done really well and look fine. You really need to have a backing that looks good on the front too.

Wow to a 100 year old grandma. How wonderful of you to make a quilt for her. She will love it however you finish it! Taria

Kathy Applebaum wrote:

Backing works fine for binding but the corners can't be mitered. But I've used the backing for binding now and then.

But I really do have to ask...has anyone actually worn out their binding? Honestly, I've heard it said before, but haven't seen it myself.

I've had 3 quilts wear out.

1. My first quilt made in the mid 80's. Probably made out of poly/cotton blends as I didn't have a clue what I was doing back then. Went very thread bare and ended up in the garbage (I should have kept it anyway, but wasn't thinking at the time, didn't even get a photo of it). I can't remember the condition of the binding, but I don't think it was as bad.

1. DD wore out a baby quilt made from a panel (15 year old quilt). Very strange thing though. The panel is thread bare and faded (poly/cotton blend) but the backing is still in perfect condition (probably 100% cotton). I thought it was odd that as the backing fabric was bought at the same time and was the coordinating fabric for the panel, but the company made them of different fabric contents. Used a package of commercial binding (unknown fabric content) and it is still in very good condition.

2. DS has some patches in his bed quilt going thread bare (7 yr old quilt). It is only one fabric and I remember it being thinner than the rest. I plan on applique another fabric on top and quilting it down. The binding is still in excellent condition.

So has anyone actually had to replace ONLY the binding on a quilt?

Missy Pooh

I have one that is going to need replaced soon. My DS#1 has an I Spy quilt from his grandma that is about 4 years old or so and has seen many washings. The binding on it is wearing out (I'm assuming becasue of the washing not the use) and it was done as a double fold. The quilt itself is still in really good condition. It has faded a bit (lots of bright and also black fabrics) with the washings, but haven't worn hardly at all. On my next shoping trip I'm planning to look for some fabric for the new binding.

used the backing for

Actually, the corners CAN be mitered, it's just a matter of how you fold the backing fabric. I used this method on at least 4 or 5 quilts before I got up my nerve to use a separate binding.

Honestly, I've heard it

I've only been making quilts for about 5 years, so I haven't heard of any of mine wearing out anywhere. All of my quilts have been given to either a grandchild or grown daughter, and so far none of them has worn out even though they've had plenty of hard use.

Judie in Penfield NY

I do this a lot.

-- Anita --

used the backing for

The corners can definitely be mitered. Just make like you are wrapping a present.

-- Anita --

I do this all the time for things I am making for the grandkids. I have also stitched around 3 sides, then turned it right side out, handstitched the opening, and then do the quilting. I make them a quilt every year or so depending on their current interests. I am not trying to make a lasting masterpiece. They are only 7 & 9, and I have always told them that they don't have to take special care of them. I want them used, not stuck in the closet. I tell DD how to wash them, and let it go at that.

Sherry Starr

Howdy!

In my experience, and, granted, I've only been quilting for 30+ years, pulling the backing forward as binding is just fine. True, if it's only one layer thick it is a thinner binding, but doubling it, folding it in on itself makes that binding plenty thick, & plenty strong. I have a couple of bed quilts my grandmas made where the backing was also the binding; it's holding up just fine. That's the way they always finished their quilts, cheaper and easier and quicker for them than adding a separate binding (which my Grandma M thought was odd when she saw a quilt I made for my mom, "What'd you do with this binding?!!?" because it wasn't the same fabric pattern as the backing. ) I use the same fabrics on the backing as on the front of my quilts, so the backing is just as strong and durable, sometimes more so because there are fewer seams in the backs of my quilts. As far as not being as strong because it's not bias-- pish-taw. It's the usage of the quilt that (usually) determines how long it lasts, not how the binding was cut. No offense to Mary but I just couldn't let this go unchallenged, when my experience has been very different. I have the quilts to prove that the way Grandma(s) and great-aunts quilted and bound their quilts was just as good as our new-fangled methods.

Ragm> There are no quilt police, so you can do what you like. This being

My grandmother has done several quilts this way. Don't see a reason not to. Just personal prefernce as to how you choose to do it.

Thanks everyone for your help. The backing is a floral fabric that compliments the quilt top beautifully, and because it's a floral pattern I'd rather not worry with trying to pattern all the way around the quilt. I figure it will look nicer from the back if the backing and binding are one piece. I will double fold the backing like some of you suggested and let you know how it turns out! Btw, I am new to this forum so could someone tell me what DD and DS/DS#1 stand for?

Thanks aga> You can do it this way. I usually use the backing as the binding but I

DD = dear daughter DS = dear son (can also be dear sister) DS#1 = dear son #1 or oldest son

Every month or two there is a series of FAQ's postings with info for newbies (and reminders for everyone else). At first I printed the abbreviaitons list and kept in near my computer until I got most of the really common ones figured out. Here is a list for the newsgroup copied from a previous positng.

HTH (Hope this helps)

Charlotte

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"radasa873" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...

Yes! This is good! Way quick and easy. May not be as tough or strong as double binding but just as good and if back and front are co-ordinated can look just perfect.