A use for seam binding

[Lorna B.]

Does anyone know a use for seam binding? I recently helped my mom clean out her sewing stuff in preparation for moving to a Sr. living community and she had several rolls of old, black and gold label "hug snug" rayon seam binding. I remember her using it on hems when she'd make skirts and dresses. Each spool had 100 yds. on it when it was new and most look hardly used. They are so cute and old, I hated to discard them. I have several pastel colors. I'd love any suggestions! Nancy in NY

[Sharon E.]

Hi Nancy Ann -- just saw your post on seam binding -- with some of my scraps my aunt, mother and myself make potholders, and that seam binding works well. But it does need to be the wider binding. I usually put a worn out towel in the middle of the two layors -- just an idea. Or give it to a home ed class at the local high school -- they might find an idea for it.

Sharon in snowy Colorado -- got about 3" last night very pretty.

[Sharon E.]

How about using that seam binding as a decoration couched on top of a quilt?

[Sharon E.]

Nancy, my mother, too, had lots of seam binding. I brought quite a lot home to use when (ever?) I get around to making some fabric postcards. It might be fun to use some of it for that. I just received the most darling quilted postcard the other day. Seam binding might be just the thing to add to them. It's colorful.

JoAnne in beautiful (right now) southern California

[Sharon E.]

Thanks for some great ideas. I think it could be a great addition considering it won't add bulk like rick rack would. Sew on! NA

[Sharon E.]

I found a cute use for the seam binding today (it came to me while I was laying in bed waking up). I needed to make a label for a baby quilt for a friend. In a case like this, I like to write washing instructions and my name, but I don't name the quilt or say who it's for, since he's not even born yet.

I took a little rectangle of muslin and wrote with permenant marker. I then sewed the blue seam binding all around, mitering the corners, using a decorative stitch. Since it's for a boy, I used a stitch that makes little cars.

It turned out really cute and I'll be able to make more labels this way using the many colors of the seam binding that I have tons of.

Lovely warm day today in western NY. Nancy

[Beth A.]

I saw a very cute quilted wall hanging where seam binding was used for the wooden siding on a house.

BethMI