Applying binding has long been my least favorite, most dreaded sewing task. I went to great lengths to find shortcuts to make it easier or better yet, to completely avoid it. I don't know how it happened, like the kid learning to ride a bike w/o training wheels, I just looked up, and had sewn on a binding without a bit of cursing or seam ripping and it looked good. It was the baby quilt I made for Bayleigh. I hand finished it, something I never do, and even with that, it looked good. Probably a fluke I told myself. You'll never be able to do it again, but guess what? I did it again! Not once, but twice and there were curves involved.
None of the usual puckers.
Look, mitered corners even! My fingers hurt really bad, but that hand finishing looks pretty good, don't ya think? I'm feeling all big and bad, like a binding conquering tough girl.
I drew a name from the comments on the last post and the winner was Lisa. Lisa, I'll get something in the mail to you soon. Thanks everyone who voted for Alyssa!
Hand finishing the binding really does make a big difference. (Sort of like basting, which I also despise.)
The wallets are gorgeous.
Posted by: Sarah | March 18, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Well, it's hard for me to even imagine that you, who makes such beautiful things, could have a hard time with binding! Those wallets are beautiful -- great job!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | March 18, 2008 at 02:41 PM
I feel the same way! And I've certainly not mastered it as you have!! Do you have any specific tips? Particularly on how to bind around corners so smoothly... I'm not good at that.
Posted by: Alissa | March 18, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I am terrified to even attempt the binding thing. It looks really good!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 18, 2008 at 03:58 PM
I am terrified to even attempt the binding thing. It looks really good!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 18, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Nice work! Nothing better than conquering our fears! I LOVE that blue wallet. Can I buy one somewhere?
Posted by: Shannon | March 18, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Wow! You wallets looks great but there is a lot of binding isn't there. It doesn't look like it has been as tiresome as you describe. It looks so simple.
You make it look so professional and simple.
Posted by: Fiona | March 18, 2008 at 04:51 PM
I lovelovelove the blue wallet! I am going to have to haunt your etsy shop (if you put it in there!) I adore that Lecien fabric so very much. You did a wonderful job with the binding.
-Ash
Posted by: Ashley | March 18, 2008 at 05:31 PM
That is an amazing wallet, I am very impressed w/ your binding skills. You give me courage that I too, can conquer the binding bandit!!!
Posted by: Christy/MommaOnTheMountain | March 18, 2008 at 05:42 PM
How pretty!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: adrienne | March 18, 2008 at 06:26 PM
i don't even know what biding is...but these are beautiful!! really so so nice! drawing? i must have missed something.
Posted by: bethy | March 18, 2008 at 07:47 PM
these are the best autum!
Posted by: kathryn | March 18, 2008 at 08:28 PM
What a fantastic project. Once you get the hang of binding it can become almost second nature. This turned out wonderfully.
Love all the great pockets inside. Great project and a pleasure to browse your other work too.
Posted by: Lisa | March 18, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Those are the prettiest wallets, Autum! I sure wish someone would come out with a wallet pattern for sale (nudge, hint)! =0)
Posted by: katie | March 18, 2008 at 08:40 PM
The wallets are absolutely lovely and yes you kicked bindings behind.. :) Great job!!!
Posted by: Kiva, Southern Girl Musings | March 18, 2008 at 09:11 PM
well, I didn't get here in time to vote for Alyssa's bump, but it's beautiful (and I may copy the idea of the bow picture here for me in a few months, if she doesn't mind!). Your binding looks tremendous!! I would've never thought you dreaded doing it.
Posted by: Catty Ax Lady | March 18, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Wow! I'm so impressed!
And I SO made a scrub top out of the inside fabric of the second wallet! I think we may have the same taste in fabric...
The package arrived yesterday, thanks so much again!
Posted by: Margot | March 18, 2008 at 09:54 PM
It looks beautiful. I'm addicted to binding. It looks so pretty when you get done with it--fingers hurting and all. I'm VERY tempted to get the bias-tape foot for my machine, but I do so love the invisible look to the hand-applied tape.
Posted by: ~Elizabeth | March 18, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Very nice work!!! I am hoping how exactly you got it to looks so good! Did you machine stitch one side first, and then hand stitch the second side? It sure looks great!
Diane from Michigan
Posted by: Diane | March 18, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Beautiful wallets :)
Posted by: Kataliina | March 19, 2008 at 07:29 AM
gorgeous wallets - so envious of your advanced binding skills!
Posted by: annieb | March 19, 2008 at 07:49 AM
I feel the same way about binding, I am hoping you have inspired me to "unbind" my bad binding thoughts. Those wallets are really great - do you have a pattern? I
Posted by: coffeechris | March 19, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Bindings scare me.
Your wallets are simply beautiful! I especially like the red, white and blue one. I'm supposing a slim strap could be added to make it a shoulder wallet.
Posted by: Ness | March 19, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Such beautiful wallets. I love them all! I too have been scared of doing binding. So much time in piecing and quilting, I didn't want to ruin the quilting with horrible binding. I am in the process of finishing up my first quilt and surprisingly, I am enjoying the hand binding and it doesn't look too bad. Looks pretty good, if I do say so myself.
Posted by: Cheryl | March 19, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Wow, Autum ~ these are so, so beautiful! It's so much fun to visit your blog and see what you've been up to because you're always make something yummy!
Posted by: Margot | March 19, 2008 at 02:26 PM