janetstone wrote:
I think that if the outside edges of the quilt measure the same as the middle of the quilt, and if the density of the quilting is the same over the entire surface of the quilt, and if it all lays flat before the binding goes on, it doesn't matter what grain line the binding is cut on. (Don't tell the quilt police I said that!!)

If the sides of the quilt are a little longer than the center measurement, adding straight grain binding might emphasize that fact and cause waving. If the binding was measured first, then applied to the sides to fit the measurement of the middle of the quilt in an effort to make the sides equal lengths, it would definitely cause cupping.

Thanks for the tip about your close-up. I have printed out a cute font to use, but seeing how you did lettering around Alpha Block Celebration, I might just try to do it in my own handwriting!
Thanks!

Margo, I'm glad I could help! You also might want to look at the close up shot in my profile of Alpha Block Celebration. I used the same technique around the edges of that quilt to do the names of the quilt blocks. I think I used one of Superior's 40 wt trilobal poly thread for that embroidery and it worked pretty well. Good luck!!

And regarding the bias binding, do you think it has any bearing on the edges of the quilt to be wavy when using a bias binding?

janetstone wrote:
OHMYGOSH!! This is so timely for me!! I am working on a project TODAY that needs to have text added, and I wasn't sure how to do it! I know I don't want the letters appliqued, and this will be perfect!!....I'm gonna go try it! THANKS!!

cbear wrote:
Cindy, personally I think that it's best to use what works for your particular project, but I'm not a quilt judge, so don't hold me to that! Like everything else in quilting, there is more than one way to accomplish a given task, so you need to learn what works for you.

You will hear some people say to only use straight of grain for binding. The theory seems to be that because the straight grain of fabric is stronger and has little "give", it will prevent the edges of the quilt from stretching out of shape. I have seen too many quilts made by well known quilters who go by this rule, and I can see cupping around the edges. Yes, the binding is cut on the straight of grain, but the quilt will not lay flat. (I think this is what may have happened to Janet's quilt, but I haven't seen it in person to check it out.)

You will hear some people say to cut the binding strips on the cross-grain. This is often done just to minimize the amount of fabric you need to purchase or the number of seams required to go around a quilt. But...unless you are tearing your strips, you will not have the grain lines exactly right unless you have pulled the threads to get them lined up! When woven fabric (cotton quilt shop fabric included) is wound on cardboards for sale, there is always some distortion to the grain lines. You either live with it or correct it before you cut your strips.

If you are making a quilt with curved edges, like a shaped edge or a scalloped edge, you MUST use binding cut on the bias, or the fabric will not curve around those shapes.

I almost always cut my binding strips on the bias. I like the "give" that I the bias strips give my bindings because my quilts are mostly made to be used and loved to death. I don't want stiff, straight bindings. Also, I like the fact that the bias grains are on the outside edge of the quilt and I think that makes them less susceptible to wear. If there is only one thread of fabric EXACTLY on the edge of a quilt, I think it will wear out faster than xxxxx grain line of a bias threads along the edge.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

Janet, maybe it is just my eyes, but looking close at the vertical lines in the border, it may be an optical illusion. To me it looks like when the red scroll is going uphill to the right, the lines lean to the right and when the uphill scroll is to the left the lines lean to the left. When directly under the curlyque they appear straight. I don't know if I am explaining it right, but I think it is an illusion. I think your quilt is wonderful. Good luck.

Margo, the letters and scroll work were done with free motion machine embroidery. I marked them with a blue washout pean and just sewed over and over the lines until I got the thickness I wanted, kind of like thread painting. I used Glide thread and it was wonderful. As far as the bias binding, I have never used a bias binding because I thought it would make the edges wavy, although I have had some waviness with straight cut binding, so I don't know. I'll report on the re-blocking tomorrow. I block my quilts at work where we have commercial carpet and a large space, so I'll go pick it up tomorrow and see how it looks.

Barbara, that's so funny what you said about me learning my ABC's! I used to stitch a lot of reproduction type cross stitch samplers and had many of them hanging in my dining room. My husband's aunt used to come over and say, "Haven't you learned your ABC's YET?" I just told her I'm working on it!

Margo, I've heard both sides on using bias vs. straight of grain bias, now. This is the first time I've heard that is really OK to use straight of grain. I thought judges looked for for the bias. Can you elaborate on the subject a little more and/ or point me in a direction for really good directions for applying binding to quilts for show?
Thanks,
Cindy

Janet...you quilt is incredible! Wow! At first look I thought, "Janet 's not doing alphabet quilts anymore?" As I scrolled to the second photo, there it was ...the alphabet! You just keep making alphabet quilts till you finally learn your ABC's ...and we will keep enjoying them.

Janet, your alphabet quilts are all FABULOUS, and I have no idea how you come up with such diverse, original designs! I love, Love, LOVE these projects!!

I hope the blocking works. If not, you might want to try just replacing the binding. I know that it is suggested to use straight of grain for bindings, but personally, I find that I get better results if I use binding that is cut on the bias! Even on a straight edged quilt! Especially one with as much quilting as you put in in....you don't need the straight grain to hold the shape. (Don't tell the quilt police that I told you that!)

OK...I've gotta ask...what technique did you use to do the letters and the scroll on the border?? Is all that hand embroidery??? :shock:

Janet, your quilt is gorgeous!!!!! And I think we've all learned something from your experiences, so thank you for sharing with us!! Good luck! Robin

Wow, gals! Thanks for all the nice comments! If I could just recruit you all for judges, I probably wouldn't have to worry about those darned cupped edges!!

Wow! It is amazing!

I think it is gorgeous too. Good Luck!!

Your quilt is just gorgeous!