Hello, it’s Cindy reporting in on a rainy Ohio evening. This post is a continuation of Monday’s blog. Sandy and I are helping a family friend finish some “Vintage Treasures” with sentimental value.
Check out Vintage Treasure #2 (and yes, SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED!)
This top has been machine pieced and it measures approximately 65 x 90. The fabrics are from the 60’s and 70’s…what a trip down memory lane!
This beautiful quilt top came complete with extra fabric (we will probably use for the binding), paper and cardboard templates AND an entire stack of triangles cut out and ready to go!
One of the templates has been re-cycled, clearly from sewing notes! We just love finding things like this!
Bea would like us to add two more rows of triangles to the quilt top. Since they are already cut out, it shouldn’t be too hard!
Here is a view of the side edges:
Here’s where we need your advice! Should we:
A: Cut the side edges so they are straight
B: Leave the edges “as is” and add a bias binding
If you have made a quilt like this, we would appreciate any finishing tips!
Oh wow, the colors of the fabrics are just fantastic! If it were me, I would trim the sides because I’m not keen on bias binding. I’d say the call is yours, though! Maybe some others will have better advice. What a cool quilt!
I agree…I’m thinking trimming the sides is the best option!
I would cut it straight and not have to make bias binding
Agree…bias binding is time consuming and two of the edges are already straight!! I think I can justify just about anything.
I just finished a king-sized triangle quilt with 3″ triangles. I cut it off straight, as I don’t think I’m experienced enough to do bias. It looked good. The quilt your working on is gorgeous!
-Jean ❤
Thank you, Jean. I think I am going to cut it off straight. Wow…3 inch triangles, I’ll bet your quilt is beautiful! Are you keeping it for yourself?
I would cut the side edges and make it straight.
Thank you, Pat! Cutting it straight seems to be the consensus on this quilt.
I made a quilt like this about two years ago using the Missouri Star Quilt Company’s pattern Simple Diamonds. I trimmed the sides to make them even and then stitched around the entire quilt about an eighth inch from the edges to stabilize them. (I don’t have enough patience to even consider binding a quilt with the triangles all in tact even though it would be pretty.)
Thanks for the tip about stitching around the entire quilt…since there are so many seams, I am going to do this. Agree on the binding, it’s a lot of work and most people won’t be looking at the edges, they will be looking at all the colors and prints in the triangles.
I like option B since I have made a quilt similar but with more modern fabrics. I love this vintage look.
Thank you, Denise! Did you keep your quilt or give it away?
Cut them off even; there is no functional value in the uneven edge and I personally don’t see any aesthetic value in it, either. Quilts from that era would have had a border, so another option would be to make a single-color border that is part half-triangles so you don’t have to trim the edge. However, also in that era I’m pretty sure the edges would have been trimmed even before adding the border. Good luck!
Thank you, I will be making the borders even, especially since two of the borders are already even! Interesting thought on the border using more triangles, I certainly have a lot of them!
My take: cutting the edges for a straight binding would be easiest to execute however, I’m thinking the triangle edged bias binding might be spectacular though painstakingly tedious to execute well…perhaps researching a bit on the history of semi-related scalloped edged binding would offer insight into how you might like to proceed.
I like your dedication in ‘saving the uncompleted’ vintage quilt tops!!!!
Thanks, Laura! I agree with you about cutting the edges for a straight binding, it’s definitely the easiest option AND I think if I use a solid binding, it will calm it down a bit. I think most people will be looking at the triangles, not the scalloped edges. In terms of time…many hours will be saved! I wonder how many uncompleted vintage tops are out there? I’ve come across a few and rescued them…seems a shame to let them languish unused and unloved.
Hadn’t thought about the overall ‘busyness’ of the top…I think solid binding is the perfect compliment to the straight edges!
I am working on an equilateral triangle quilt now myself and I am cutting side triangles for each side so I don’t have as much waste. My answer is definitely square up the sides…I do have a question about pressing seams as you go as I am worried about bulk in the points. Are you pressing one row left, one row right?
There is a lot of bulk at the points that I didn’t sew. As I was adding the additional two rows, I did alternate pressing so one row goes right and one row goes left. This was tricky and feels bulky…I’m wondering if I should have pressed the seams open but then they are not as strong. Some of my points were not exactly “pointy” but this is common throughout this particular quilt top. What dedication these women had on this quilt, some of the triangles are hand sewn together. I imagine them sewing on a cold winter night, sitting by the fire, chatting about life and sewing triangles together. What an honor to finish this for their family!
I was given blocks from a 1930s quilt with was made from diamond templates. To make life easier for myself I ended up trimming the edges straight. But yours would look great either way.
Thanks, Tierney! I think I will save my sanity and just cut these edges off straight!
Well, well, well, ladies! You have all the tools . . . and loads of y-seams in your future it looks like. Hmmm. Bea is going to love whatever you do! She will be so thrilled to be able to enjoy it. I would straighten the edges, add the binding and call it a day after adding the two rows. You guys need to do what makes your hearts happy and just know that her heart will be happy too. {{Hugs}} What a fun project! ~smile~ Roseanne P.S. Happy Mother’s Day to both of you!
Thanks, Roseanne! Yep, it’s getting cut straight and it will still be beautiful! Next dilemma….what color should the binding be? I’m thinking navy…maybe black?
I think would frame it so nicely! This is such a fun project. ~smile~ Roseanne
Leave the edge straight. Would look better that way. Enjoy your posts xx