Big quilt-round corners

[Auntie Uli]

I started to quilt my king size quilt today. In a craftsy class about binding techniques Mimi Dietrich recommends to cut the corners round and to put bias binding on, if the quilt is very big and is meant to hang down to the floor.


Should I really cut the corners round? I never did a bias binding before and I am still a beginner quilter, I don't want to mess the whole quilt up in the end.

I already prepared the binding strips, if I would decide to make round corners..would it be possible to add four pieces of bias binding only for the corners, or would I have to make a new binding completely bias?

There is still a lot of time left to make this decision because the quilting will take a lot of time, but I would appreciate any suggestions or experiences!

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

You say you already made the binding strips. I thought all binding should always be cut on the bias to give it a little stretch. I don't think it would be too hard to sew the binding on a curve and then add that to your regular strips though if that is what you are worried about.
If you feel more comfortable doing regular corners instead of curved ones, then go ahead and do that. If I were a beginner and it is a king size - knowing me - I would do regular corners. I am sure it will be just as beautiful when it is finished.
I am sure more will pop in here and I am interested to see what they say too.

[Snip Snip]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

Using regular straight grain binding on all but the corners sounds like something I might do. But why don't you try it on a small piece first, just to make sure it doesn't give a noticeable effect. Is the binding fabric a print or solid? I bet doing it with a print would not be noticeable at all.
I think rounded corners, particularly at the foot of the bed, if it is not enclosed, is very elegant. I have seen purchased bedspreads where the foot is rounded, but the head is squared off.

[shirleyknot]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

When you get down to the nitty-gritty, its your quilt. Do it the way you want to.

[cjsews]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

As to your question is there time? Yea. You can work on the quilting and decide if you want to round the corners last. That would probably be preferred if you are using a long arm.

[LauraP]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

the reason for rounding the corners is to keep so much material from laying on the floor at the corners. if your quilt isn't going all the way to the floor you don't have to worry about it.

[PrettyCurious]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

As noted above, you really only need 2 rounded corners, so I'd be inclined to begin to sew the straight grain binding on until I get close to the bottom, then add binding cut on bias for those 2 corners, and the whole bottom, so I'd only be adding 2 splices.

I wish I had done this with my last quilt. It may keep my husband from putting it on the bed upside down. I know it's upside down because there is a accent color at the top. He can't help that he doesn't know this, and wouldn't get it if I told him.

[rebeccas-sewing]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

I feel certain that just adding bias for those curved corners would work out just fine. Trish, the only time we use bias binding is in situations where we are binding curves. Typically, quilt binding is cut selvage to selvage.

[tamsterg7]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

I am by no means an expert here, but wouldn't this similar or the same to making a scalloped edge, but just on the corners? If so, I made the scalloped edge quilt from the block magazine, using the scalloped template and Jenny's tute for the binding and it worked great. And that is a big quilt too, maybe not a king, but almost. Good luck and show us the finish!

[Claire Hallman]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

If the quilt is floor length it will have lots of extra fabric at the bottom corners, curving those corners might be a good idea. Only using bias at those areas would also be fine.
I always pin my binding to the trimmed quilt before sewing it on so that I don't end up with a joint at the corners and I sew the last join before sewing it down using my walking foot. If you did that you would know where you need the bias strips.

Edit: A lot of antique quilts have the bottom corners cut out, another consideration.

[kgirlmom]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

Perhaps what is meant by cutting the corners round, is just cutting off the tip of the 4 corners (just a bit past your sew line) after you have sewn the binding on one side so that the corners will mitre perfectly with less bulk. Hope that makes sense.

[shirleyknot]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

I feel certain that just adding bias for those curved corners would work out just fine. Trish, the only time we use bias binding is in situations where we are binding curves. Typically, quilt binding is cut selvage to selvage.

Depends on who you are. ALL my quilt binding is made bias. Its easier for me to work with.

[Deegles]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

A couple of things, firstly, I would no longer consider yourself a beginner. You are almost finished with a king size! Secondly, if she was teaching the class, and that class included rounded corners, she is simply teaching the technique. And rounded or scallops do require bias binding. If your corners are already square, ask yourself about the work you put into those corners and is the value of the block going to be less because some will be cut away. You are your own quilt police. Do it how you want it. The majority of quilts I make the binding is cut from selvage to selvage. Nothing wrong with that technique but it will not work for rounded corners. What ever you decide Will be the right decision for you! Have fun with it.
If she is teaching bias and rounded edges, make a quick potholder to get her technique down. You will then have two arsenals for binding future quilts and will know exactly which one you like best.

[Eliza]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

This is a queen size top I have made (still not quilted!!) where I set triangles into the corners for the same reason. Depending on your pattern you may be able to cut off the corners.quilt top.jpg

[Snip Snip]

Re: Big quilt-round corners

That is a really pretty quilt, Eliza