When Pigs Fly – Rounding the Corners of Your Quilt

It’s time to make those PIGS fly! What are PIGS? Why, they are PhDs or PIPS. They might even be WHIMs, WIPs or WHISPS. Either way, don’t let FOB scare you! Here is how to say, “TGIF!”

This post is part of the “See it, Sew It” Blog Hop. Be sure to visit the other designers at the bottom of this list to see what their WIWMIs might be. You might also enjoy a visit to the Pinterest Board for this blog hop, https://www.pinterest.com/moosestashq/when-pigs-fly-challenge/

Bias Binding

I started this tutorial last year, meaning to plan for a series of posts on bias bindings. It quickly became a WWIT. When this blog hop was announced, with the theme of “finish it”, I decided I would at least finish my sample. And maybe give you a sneak preview of the series I still want to do someday.

Here is the UFO

Marti Gras Quilt Pattern

I decided this quilt was a little boxy, so I would add rounded corners after it was quilted. The first thing I needed to do, of course, was square up the edge. I did that using a long, large ruler so I could match up the edge of the ruler with the edge of the quilt as accurately as possible.

Then I needed to find something round that I could use to make a round corner. I took a large plate right off the wall and that worked.

Now I needed to make the binding that would wrap around this corner and finish the quilt. Enter…

Bias Binding

There are many, many ways of making bias binding. I am just going to show one. There are two additional methods, including continuous bias binding, in the handout below.

Start with two large squares of fabrics. (My sample is 10″ square.) Place them right sides together and sew all the way around the outside. Pretend you are making a pillow with no way to get to the inside. Cut this square on both diagonals. You will have just made two Half-Square-Triangle Quilt Blocks with the eges on the diagonal. Press them open but don’t bother to square them up.

Sew the HSTs side by side and press the seam open.

Here is a picture of the back. Can you see the angle of the grain of fabric?

Making Bias Binding

Cut this strip every 2-1/2″ inches and sew the strips together, mitering the join.

Sew the binding to the edge of the quilt. Because of the stretch in the bias binding, it should go around the curve without a problem. Hand-stitch the edges and join the binding at an angle.

And you are done! Enjoy!

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15 thoughts on “When Pigs Fly – Rounding the Corners of Your Quilt”

  1. What a great idea to finish a tutorial! I love the finished look – never thought about how pretty a rounded corner could be. Using the plate off the wall – lol it’s genius! Thanks for the tutorial.

  2. What a great way to spiff up a UFO by rounding the corners. Love it! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Love the tutorial on the making of bias binding. The photos sure help. Great idea to round the corners of the quilt.

  4. What a great project (UFO); adding the bias binding was necessary with those rounded corners. BTW, the corners make the quilt. Thanks for the tips.

  5. I love rounded quilts but I don’t like making bias binding, lol! I will need to look at your tutorial next time I attempt it! Thanks for sharing! It turned out just beautiful! xx

  6. Well done on your finish, the rounded corners look great! I haven’t seen bias binding made quite like that before – thanks for sharing your technique!

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