It's Bound to be Perfect 

Finishing off your quilts with a perfectly applied binding

The binding is the final touch on a quilt and deserves the same thought and care

that went into the rest of the project. Don't let a poorly chosen fabric or a poorly

applied binding detract from all your hard work! This workshop is for anyone who

wants to learn how to bind a quilt or improve their binding techniques.

In this workshop I will cover fabric choices that will enhance your quilt, the

elements that make up a perfect binding and show you how to achieve each of

those elements. I will address how to prepare both the quilt and the binding

material, options on binding width, and hand finished vs. all-machine application,

with an emphasis on not only the "hows" but also the "whys". Tips and tricks will

be included, such as how to achieve that elusive straight and even machine finish,

no-lump strip joins, a no-measure final join, and perfectly mitered corners.

Following the lecture portion, I will demonstrate each step of the techniques and

then participants will practice those on their own small project. In person coaching

will be provided to help attendees master the subject. The focus of this workshop

is on technique, not on making a project.

Jim McKim is the quilting partner of Linda McKim, a longtime member of El Camino Quilt Guild.

He is a retired engineer who is always looking for a problem to solve or a way or improve a

process. His first binding project was a potholder. Over the last 7 years, he has bound over 500

quilts, primarily donations to the Cuddle Quilt group. That's over 2000 mitered corners, 3000

strip joins and millions of stitches. He thinks he has it figured out by now but is still not immune

from making a mistake now and then if his mind wanders.