Currently Stitching: Catching up on Bindings

I've just finished looking over my todo list. It's time to vacuum and water plants again, even though it feels like I just did it. I picked up the kitchen and wiped everything down, again. I ran some errands, returns, a few odds and end groceries, and a trip to the hardware store. Somehow the list never gets any shorter, no matter how many things I cross off. Can anyone else relate? 

It's time for a break from the regular todo's. Instead, I'm looking over all my partially completed projects. I'd rather not mention the number of started kits, half sewn bags, and finished tops that need backing... I'd like to check off a few of these almost completed projects.

So today I am focusing on catching up on bindings. I currently have 7 completed quilts that are only missing that finishing touch that binding gives.

I've got the quilt tops trimmed and measured. The bindings are pieced and ready to go to their forever homes.

When choosing binding, I usually wait until the quilt is finished. Unless it comes from a kit, I don't know the binding until the end. Many of my quilting friends choose their binding when they're designing their quilts. 

First up is this Psychedelic Log Cabin quilt that I made over two years ago at a quilt retreat. I think it sat in the closet waiting to go to the long arm for most of that time. And then it came home and went back into the closet, waiting for the binding. 

This was a kit that came from a local quilt shop. It included this solid pink for the binding. It was so much fun to make! I'm very fond log cabin quilts and these fabrics were such a joy to work with. 

Next on the list to be finished was the Falling Logs Cabin Quilt.

I came across all this random collection of Fall fabrics when I was rearranging my stash, so of course I had to make a Fall quilt. I was trying to stay ahead of the curve and maybe get it done by the season. And then it ended up sitting in the growing pile, waiting for binding along with its friends.

I struggled with choosing the backing, and then couldn't decide what to bind it in. I decided to go with a scrappy binding! All of these fabrics are already featured in the quilt and I think they're all so beautiful. To me, it blends right in as a continuation of the pattern. I don't think it could look any cuter! 

In the same-ish season, I took care of this jack-o-lantern wall hanging! I thought about finishing it in orange like a bright frame, but I didn't want to take away from the center. Especially since I used variegated yellow thread and burgundy thread to quilt it.

I used black thread in the bobbin on the graveyard background. I love the classic look of the criss cross stitching. I used a dark charcoal fabric with a little texture to bind it. And then used with an invisible stitch, or hidden stitch to attach it. But I used black thread just incase a little piece showed through here or there. 

This sweet little Baby Birdies baby quilt turned out so dang cute. I love the variety of colors and birds on it. I went with a blue and gold batik binding to bring together the colors from the front and the back.

I quilted this one myself, using the cross hatch to give the blocks a diamond effect. I chose a blue and cream variegated thread for the front. Then a strong yellow gold for the back stitches. 

It came together better than I could have ever imagined when I was first starting on this baby quilt. I did an invisible stitch again with a softer gold color. It blended really well! I really enjoy finishing with hand binding. It's relaxing and beautiful. 

Not to sound like a broken record but these next two projects were also done at a quilt retreat quite some time ago. I dubbed this quilt Space Junction. It started out as a kit and then I added to and adjusted it.

I went with a black on black textured backing and this hot pink triangle fabric for the binding. I love the bright contrast between the light and dark fabrics. The fabric shimmers along with the purple glide the long armer used to quilt the modern pattern.

I have dubbed this beauty Neon Hopscotch. I mixed up 2 jellyrolls and set the blocks on a white background. It was so satisfying to watch come together. The longarmer chose a beautiful yellow thread and jolly pattern. It's so uplifting to lookout the bright colors and fun pattern designs.

I bought this purple sparrow backing quite a while ago. I did not have a plan for this material when I found it, but I just could not help myself when I saw it! It worked out well because one of the jelly rolls I used had the sparrow fabric in it too! I loved how it looked with the other colors, so I decided to use it for the binding too.

I saved this one for last! I this wall hanging I picked up several years ago at a quilt shop when I was out of town. The pieced top sat finished for a year after made it. I took it to a local long armer and she did this beautiful orange peel pattern. 

I had some of this leftover fall leaf and citrus material for another project. I chose it because I wanted to add a little shimmer to it. It's festive and fun already, but I felt like a little glimmer and fall leaf would take it to another level. I cannot wait to use it this year!

So pumped to see the binding on all these projects, FINALLY! Well, at least one side is sewn on to all of them. The smaller ones will go quickly with hand binding. The three bigger ones will take me some time... and may or may not sit in the pile for a little while longer... don't judge me. 

I hope you all are feeling like conquering your unfinished projects. Or whatever else is on your to do list. Share your binding projects, ideas and methods with me! Thanks for reading! Stay tuned to see what I'm working on next week!