Binding and Barbie clothes

Now that I had finished the front of the quilt and had become attached to not ruining it I faced the scariest part of quilt making.  Binding and then washing.  Cue dramatic music!

So, with a lump in my throat and a growing need for someone who knows what they are doing to hold my hand I start to finish my quilt.  I really wanted an experienced quilter around but then I realized where all the quilters are hiding.  Somewhere in the inter-webs!

I started my research and here are the lovely ladies who helped me out:


Anyone Can Quilt
Amazing detailed instructions and information about spray basting (do it, you won't be disappointed)
http://anyonecanquilt.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/08/machine-quilting-101-1.html


Red Pepper Quilts
Great photos of the whole process and clear instructions
http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2009/11/binding-tutorial.html


Mama Love Quilts
This tutorial is about quilting straight lines, which in my case, I was and it was super helpful
http://mamalovequilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-tips-for-trouble-free-straight-line.html


Heather Bailey
Great PDF tutorial with drawn instructions, if you are anything like me I need to see it from every angle in order to understand instructions so this was very helpful
http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/photos/continuous_quiltbinding/index.html


Crazy Mom Quilts
Incredibly detailed step by step instructions on how to make your binding
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/10/binding-tutorial.html


Also, all these ladies make amazing quilts too, so be sure to check out the rest of their websites!

I began construction confidently armed with all these wonderful words of wisdom and years of their experience.  I taped my backing to my floor, spray basted my batting to the back and then delicately spray basted the front to the batting to complete my quilt sandwich.  I then cut around the front of my quilt and rolled it up, ready to be finished off at the machine.

 

I had to attach a "walking foot" to my machine, which wasn't easy.  I'm not a very technical person so anything that requires a screw driver I usually call in the big guns, aka the boyfriend.  Somehow, with the aid of the machine's manual and PBR, I managed.

Then it was "go-go-walking-foot-go"!  I hit a few snags... literally.  But, overall, it turned out ok and pretty uneventful.  I began the binding portion of the quilt, and this was were I realized that I need to take a breath and go slow since the stitches needed to be so precise.

 

I then began to think about my grandmother; my Dad's mom, not my Mom's mom who I've written about before.  One Christmas my grandmother handmade me Barbie clothes.  Hand.  Made.  The tiny stitches astounded me.  Each little garment was so beautifully crafted and so lovingly stitched.  Once again, I will proudly admit that I am a lucky girl, what an wonderful grandmother.  Remembering those tiny clothes and the delicate sewing I started the binding process anew, I have those genes in me, I could make this happen!

After reading all the quilting blogs it sounded as if everyone loved washing their quilt, that it was the most satisfying portion of the process. I found it terrifying.  Just throwing this lovingly made thing into a machine and hoping it doesn't rip it to shreds.  Gulp!

Somehow, it survived!  And here is the end result: