How much bias binding for scallops?

[Juliet W.]

I've looked on Google and found no result for my question. If I put bias binding on the scalloped edge of my quilt won't I need more binding than if they were straight lines? I tried it with a piece of string on a curved line above a straight line just now and I see I definitely need more. Do I measure the scallop and multiply by the amount of scallops, measure the curved corners and multiply by 4 and then add the saftey 12 inches? This sounds right to me but I would like to know if there is another method. I've got the Quilt in a Day scallop ruler to help me but the booklet doesn't even mention how to calculate the bias binding.

[Nancy R.]

That's what I would do. I don't think you're going to find a general formula since it'll depend on the curve of your scallops.

[Juliet W.]

Thank you Nancy, it will be nice to think I had worked it out for myself!

[wendy w.]

You will need to measure the diameter of the circles you use to draw the scallops then calculate the circumference multiply by the number of scallops and divide by the number of arcs you fit in a circle then you'll know how much binding!

Only joking, i'd use the string :lol:

[Juliet W.]

Love the joke, read the first part and said to myself, I don't think so! Looked away and thought what on earth am I going to reply to that and then saw your last line. You had me initially at circumference - I felt my mind glaze over! Thanks for the laugh.

[Rita C.]

:lol: :lol: :lol: 'Margarita', I don't know if you have ever done a scalloped binding before but there is a class on Craftsy.com called "Finishing School: Edges and Bindings" given by Mimi Dietrich and she shows how to sew a scalloped binding onto a quilt. Just thought I would mention it. Good luck with it. Of course, we would love to see photos???

[Juliet W.]

Thanks Rita, this is the same quilt that needed the cross-hatching by machine on the borders. I've done that and it looks really nice except for the first side when I hadn't seen the video, bit wonky but all right. So now on to the scalloped binding, funny thing is I was quite decided to put the binding on before cutting the scallops, saw this on a tutorial which is on my Pinterest page or buried in my Bookmark Quilting Tutorials - then a day or two ago I saw a video on Youtube by Missouri Quilt something, they do loads of video tutorials very clearly, and she was putting on the binding very well after cutting the scallops! Not really up for paying for another class on Craftsy, I haven't done the lessons on the ones I bought. What do you think, before or after? I will post photos soon!

[wendy w.]

I saw Alex do it recently, I think it was an old show.

She marked the scallops then sewed along the drawn lines and cut back the edging close to the stitching. She clipped into the dips but not through the stitches then using bias cut fabric for the binding pulled the fabric straight as she got to the dips.

She made a mistake and cut it too narrow so I didn't see how it ended I'll try and find the show as amends for winding you up

[wendy w.]

Episode 413, call me Margo :lol:

[Rita C.]

In the craftsy class Mimi suggests attaching the binding before cutting away the scallops. She also says not to stretch the binding at all. Also, to pin the scallops with a little fullness, otherwise the binding will curve upwards when attached to the back rather than lying flat. Only pin one scallop at a time as it's too difficult to sew if it's all already pinned together. She also put a pin at the centre of the inner point of the scallop to keep it straight, and stitched it a 1/4" from the edge of the binding. I hope that helps. Wendy you are a hoot! :lol:

[Juliet W.]

The tutorial I saw (which I must find) shows it as you say Rita but at the inside point she leaves a little so that when you finish and turn it to the back it comes out perfect. That sounds the same as not stretching it really, doesn't it? Well first I have to make miles of bias binding and think about this a lot and look for the tutorial. Makes me think I need to separate my Pinterest board into different aspects of quilting, there's too much on it. Thank you everyone, I almost got the Margo joke immediately!!! ops:

[Juliet W.]

Here's the tutorial I found on my own Pinterest page! http://whatahootquilts.blogspot.com/...dings-and.html

[Juliet W.]

And here even lower down on my own Pinterest page (got to get that organized) is the original tutorial that I was thinking of with really good pics. for anyone who is still interested, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the info. but am not in a hurry with this quilt so I will do it this way -
http://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/...ding-scallops/

[Lorna B.]

Sharon Shambler also teaches scalloped binding. I think I googled and found the U-tube and it helped me when did this.

[Juliet W.]

Thanks Lorna, I'll look at that too and then I shall have hysterics from information overload! :lol: Seriously I do find that it is hard sometimes to pick the method when so many sincere and helpful people on blogs and in tutorials tell you how to do something in different ways, my gut goes with NOT cutting the scallops before putting the binding on although the lady on Missouri Quilt Company was really nice and made it look like a walkover. Maybe there should be a new saying in Quilting, if it looks easy it isn't! Thank you very much for your input it is really appreciated, If it wasn't for TQS members helping me I should be in a right pickle down here in Venezuela!