Monday, January 5, 2009

Binding Choices

I need some help here.  I LOVE to bind quilts with black and white stripes.  However, I only have a fat quarter of this, so I may be pushing it.  I've done some calculations, and if I play my cards right, I think I can make it work.  Then there's the safe choice, a variegated blue.  I have plenty of this.  Any comments would be appreciated!

I trimmed THE quilt today.  The final size is 50 inches wide by 30 inches down.

5 comments:

Kristin said...

I love binding quilts with stripes, too! If you only have a fat quarter of it to get you through the year, though, what about binding it mostly in blue but perhaps with one strip of black & white for a visual punch?

Finishing Lines by K.Sperino said...

I like stripes too, but I wonder if the stripes would be too distracting on the right side of the quilt... Would the stipe binding compete with the horizontal stips? I can't tell without seeing them together.... therefore, I have to say go with the blue. It will bring out the blues and the blue in the shoe stipes. I have enjoyed watching this piece come to the finish line! I love it.

Kay Koeper Sorensen said...

If you multiply 18 x 22 you have 396 square inches of binding.
If you cut your binding 2 1/4 inches wide (double binding) you will get 176 linear inches of binding minus seam allowances.
As you can see this is cutting it very close. this would also give you a lot of really small short lengths to work in.
If you cut it 1 - 1/4 inches wide (single binding) you will get a lot more linear inches.
I have used this formula many times to decide if I have enough fabric for a binding. There has been at least one instance where I was working as close as you were and used every bit of the fabric.
So, it can be done.
I do you are correct in choosing the stripe to finish off this wonderful piece.
It appears to me that your stripe is irregular so matching would not be a concern.
K

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

I love quilts bound with striped fabric. But I guess it depends on what quilt you're binding.

Just Jenn said...

Normally I'd be for the stripes but since A) You don't have enough and B) I think it would overwhelm all the details and work you put into the quilt I'd go with the blue on this one. Save the stripes for a smaller quilt later this year...