Invisible Machine Sewn Binding Experiments

So, I cranked out a couple more mug rugs last night for the church raffle, and this time they were cuter, wonkier, and FASTER. Sure, the improv piecing whips up pretty fast anyway, but as 1am approached, I had to kick things into overdrive and go for a speedy machine stitched binding. I know, I know, a travesty to all mankind, but we all need sleep and guess what? The quilting police didn’t show up at my door, the lucky recipients loved them.

Thanks to a little miracle called invisible nylon thread, you can barely tell there’s a seam on top. Seriously, I thought my thread had broken because I couldn’t see a seam! You can sew your binding to the quilt with regular cotton thread since that seam is hidden anyway, but be sure at sew it to the back side (felt weird to me, since I always do front). This way, when you wrap the binding around, you’ll stitch it down on the front. Use the nylon in the top, and choose a matching color for your bobbin, since that seam will still show on the back side. Why can’t someone come up with a nylon thread that works in the bobbin??? Ugh.

Best kind of nylon to use is Sew Art, because it’s the only one that doesn’t shine (I learned this from the one and only Harriet Hargrave. See her must-have books in my Amazon sidebar ticker). UNFORTUNATELY though, the owner of Sew Art recently passed away, and I hear they won’t be producing anymore. Massive bummer. YLI is supposedly comparable, but it shines, and I think shine would definitely kill it. As my friend Mel says “we’re not going for the hotel bedspread look!” I’m going to experiment with different brands, but hopefully I can find some more of this stuff online. Notice how it looks in the quilting as well!! Changes color with the fabrics- LOVE!

Sew your seam as close to the left edge as humanly possible- ideally catching just a couple of threads. It will feel like you aren’t even making a stitch, because you won’t see the seam and the thread is weightless.

You might experiment with using one of the thread “net” contraptions (probably came with your machine) on top to keep it from flying off like crazy town since it’s kinda slippery. Worked for me.

Still leery? C’mon, just try the nylon! I’m usually always very anti-synthetic, but this stuff just plain rocks. Sure I’ll always prefer a perfect, classic hand sewn binding, but I don’t feel bad one bit about machine stitching one “invisibly” when I’m giving a last minute gift or just need to cut the brain damage and move on to my next project. After all, this is supposed to be FUN, and I make my own rules!!!