Twill tape for stabilizing quilt edges before binding?

[Robin G.]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that you can use twill tape (1/4" wide) to stabilize the edge of a quilt before putting the binding on. Not only is it supposed to add stability but also seme extra heft. Has anyone used this technique? If so, any suggestions on how to go about it?
Thanks.

[Mary L.]

Hmmm, interesting idea! I've done my fair share of clothing sewing and use it for shoulder lines so they don't stretch out. It seems like the tape should work on quilts, esp. if there are bias triangles on the edge without some kind of border. I suppose you'd want the tape to be completely enclosed but that shouldn't be a problem.
Let us know if you try this and how it turns out!
Mary

[Patti P.]

Haven't tried it but it makes good sense for the reasons you said. Sounds like a good idea.

[Patti P.]

I do not see why that would not be a good idea... My GF serges her edges before she binds them... She says that it stabilizes the edges and allows for a heftier binding. She has won local prizes so it works well for her.

I have been watching old DVD of Elenor Burns... and at one time she serged her blocks and strips together ( back in the early 1990s) I think that was when sergers just came out and were available to home sewers...

She never shows serging now so it must have been a passing fad... I also think that process got boo-oooed at quilt shows...

Elenore Burns also did the old fashion sew and flip method and quilted each row as she went along. That was a way a lot of quilts were made and quilted both in pioneer days and through the 30s to 70s...mostly for utility quilts.

Quilt Shows have standardized / quantified the finishing of quilting and what is the GOLD STANDARD. Currently it is long arms quilting that is popular. The only thing I do not like about that is it excludes a lot of regular quilters. I am glad the big quilt shows have categories now.

[Anne B.]

I've been doing something like this for years. But instead of twill tape, I use fusible stay tape, the kind that is sold for the roll line in the lapel of a tailored jacket. It's 1/4 inch wide and very lightweight, so it doesn't add bulk to the quilt. Besides stabilizing the outer edges of the quilt, it's also invaluable for controlling the bias on large setting triangles.

You have to measure before you cut, though, or it's all for naught!

For the outer edges of the quilt, measure across the middle of the quilt, the same as you do for a border, then cut the stay tape to that measurement. Fuse the two ends of one piece of tape to the ends of one border of the quilt, then gradually fuse your way from each end to the centre of the border's edge, easing in any extra fabric as you go. When you're done, your edge will be perfectly stable. Repeat for the other three sides.

For a setting triangle, find out how long the hypotenuse (the long, bias edge) is SUPPOSED to be, then cut your stay tape to that measurement. Again, fuse from the ends toward the centre of the piece of tape.

I hope these instructions make sense, because fusible stay tape is like a secret weapon for straight, flat quilt edges.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

[Margo C.]

Great idea, Anne! Thanks for sharing!

[Robin G.]

Anne-
That sounds like a winner to me. Thanks for the detailed instructions.

[Anne B.]

My pleasure. I often find that my training in garment construction helps with my quilting.

[Robin G.]

Hi, Anne.
As I come to know more and more about quilting and the wonderful quilters that are out there, I have become conscious of how many of you started in the garment industry. I learned to sew in junior high and enjoyed the process of making clothes for me and my kids when they were small, but after a while I recognized that nothing I made fit me very well or looked very good. I abandoned my attempts many years ago. How I wish I had had some better instruction along the way - I know it would help me to be a much more accomplished quilter.

[Lynn K.]

Very interesting ladies. I know Sharon Schamber is a 'former' garment maker and says her basting stitch is a tailor's way of doing it to keep the stitching from shifting the fabric!

[Judy M.]

The twill tape method belongs to a prizewinning quilter. Her first name is Debbie, but I just can't remember her last name! I've never tried her methods.

[Anne B.]

Hi, Anne.
As I come to know more and more about quilting and the wonderful quilters that are out there, I have become conscious of how many of you started in the garment industry. I learned to sew in junior high and enjoyed the process of making clothes for me and my kids when they were small, but after a while I recognized that nothing I made fit me very well or looked very good. I abandoned my attempts many years ago. How I wish I had had some better instruction along the way - I know it would help me to be a much more accomplished quilter.

Hi, Robin:

I've never worked in the garment industry, though I did work for a time for a company that produced sewing, quilting, and crafts expos in Canada and the US. It was a lot of fun. I went to many, many seminars by people such as Sandra Betzina, Clotilde, Kathy Ruddy, Margaret Islander, Ce Podolak, Judith Rasband, Judy Barlup, David Page Coffin, Peggy Sagers, and Shirley Adams. Most of them had books, videos, and/or patterns for sale in their booths, and I bought every one I could get my hands on. Sandra Betzina, Peggy Sagers, and Judith Rasband were exceptionally good teachers of fitting.

I can't recommend these people highly enough. Most of them are still travelling the circuit doing consumer sewing expos throughout the US. Once you learn how to adjust a pattern and master some of the industry shortcuts, sewing your own clothing is a joy. I promise!

Anne in Vancouver, Canada, embarrassed to say I stopped sewing clothing when the quilting bug really bit!

[Anne B.]

I have to keep the information in this thread marked for the long hall so when I get ready to bind my big ol' problem quilt, I can come back and read it again and again and see if I can understand it all. actually before I get to that point. But first, what is twill tape? I'm not familiar with any of the things that y'all have mentioned. I don't know anything about garment sewing. (it seems sometimes not about quilting either :? ) Anyway, you may find some repeat sos messages come across later
Charlotte