On Monday at the exec. meeting of the guild we discussed the possibility of making quilts for the orphans of Haiti. Susan came up with a marvellous idea. Do quilt as you go and use Patti Carey's method of sewing down the binding. I made one, not quite what the finished ones will look like, but I wanted to time it.
I started with a "panel" that has been in the box for awhile........last year sometime. I bought this piece of fabric cause I wanted a tiny wee bit. I trimmed it up and it came up 14 1/2". Good starting point.
I cut the strips for what will be the quilt we will be doing and then cut off strips measuring 3 1/2" to add to the panel.
I placed the panel in the middle of the batting that had been laid down on top of the backing. I pinned it securely in place. I started at one side and laid my first strip along one long edge and sewed it in place. I then took it to the ironing board and pressed it upwards. I continued to do this for every strip.
When I was done one side I did the other. In no time at all they were all done. I then sewed in the opposite direction to secure the batting so it won't shift.
Back I went to the basement to find that pink solid fabric I had been using a few weeks ago. I cut binding from it and sewed it to the BACK of the quilt. I then brought this to the front and using a zig zag stitch I sewed it in place. Finished. I have never made anything that fast in my life. Love it.
