Arctic Vortex Quilt Along Week 8

It’s time to bind our Arctic Vortex tree skirts and quilts!

Putting binding on a hexagonal quilt may seem intimidating if you’re used to only doing mitred corners when binding square or rectangular quilts. I’ll show you how to bind the 120° mitred corners smoothly and easily, then we’ll take on the 60° mitred corners where the quilt splits to make a tree skirt. Finally, we’ll use the stretch of bias binding to bind the inside curve of the tree skirt.

Join the Arctic Vortex Quilt Along

Arctic Vortex Quilt Along

Dates: October 3 through November 27, 2023
Duration: 8 weeks
Quilt Sizes: Tree skirt or hexagonal quilt:

Large: 53” x 61”
Medium: 47” x 56”
Mini: 23” x 28”

Schedule

Week 1: Pick your fabrics, get your pattern, plan your coloring sheet
Week 2: Cut, label, and organize your pieces
Week 3: Make 3 Vortex Blocks
Week 4: Make 3 Vortex Blocks
Week 5: Make 12 Setting Triangles
Week 6: Assemble quilt top & Prepare to quilt
Week 7: Quilt
Week 8: Bind

Read the FAQs

Step 1: Make binding

For going around curves, your best choice is always bias binding. Lucky for you, I have a brand new tutorial with the absolute fastest way to make as much bias binding as you need. Best of all, there’s no marking, no scissors, and only 2 seams to sew! Check it out!

Step 2: Make ties

If you’re making a tree skirt, you’ll need a way to secure the two edges together. The pattern includes instructions for making ties, but you could use ribbons, buttons, or even snaps if you prefer. Attach the ties before you attach the binding.

Step 3: Attach binding to the front

Start attaching the binding in the middle of one of the straight, outer edges, leaving a 10″ tail.

Here’s a step by step tutorial to get you through the tricky bits!

Binding wide angles

When you reach a 120° corner, make a mitred corner by marking a line from the corner of the quilt toward the center. You can use the seam on the corner as a guide.

Stitch up to this line, then pivot and stitch off the quilt along the line.

Fold back the binding along the stitched line, then fold again so that the center fold of the binding is aligned.

Continue stitching the next side with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Binding acute angles

When you reach a 60° corner, make a mitred corner by marking a 30° line from the corner, cutting the angle in half.

Stitch up to this line, then pivot and stitch off the quilt along the line.

Fold back the binding along the stitched line, then fold again so that the center fold of the binding is aligned.

Continue stitching the next side with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Binding inner curves

When you reach the hole in the center of the tree skirt, make a mitred corner by marking a 45° line from the corner, cutting the angle in half.

Stitch up to this line, then pivot and stitch off the quilt along the line. Fold back the binding along the stitched line, then fold again so that the center fold of the binding is aligned.

Begin stitching along the curve with a 1/4″ seam allowance, using the stretch of the bias binding to stretch as you go.

When you reach the corner, make a mitred corner as before.

Step 4: Finish binding

If you’re like me, you’ll finish this binding by turning it to the back, clipping or pinning it, and then stitching in the ditch from the top. Nobody is going to see the back of my tree skirt, except maybe the cats, and they love my quilts no matter how they’re bound.

But if you enjoy finishing bindings by hand, by all means, put on a favorite holiday movie, grab a cup of something merry, and stitch away.

Step 5: Share!

Share your FINISHED quilt on Instagram using #ArcticVortexQAL and celebrate! You did it! You’re amazing!!!

Giveaway is closed

~~This week’s prize is a bundle of Peppermint from FIGO fabrics with 15 fat quarters from Mad About Patchwork!~~

Hello Fabric Friends! Mad About Patchwork is Delighted to bring you the top modern fabric, notions, and supplies at amazing prices. Check out with our fast shipping at only $9.99 anywhere in Canada. We are well known for our fast turnaround and our amazing price on the high quality Kona Cotton at only $10/yard – we stock all 366 colors. Check out all the amazing deals today.

Mad About Patchwork loves to highlight Canadian Designers, Canadian Fabric Companines, and Canadian Pattern Designers. Peppermint is a collection from FIGO fabrics, a Canadian Fabric company that focuses on Modern Fabric. Check out the wide selection of FIGO and other modern fabrics at Mad About Patchwork.

Head over to the Instagram post for details on the giveaway! Best of luck!

Don’t forget to check out all our amazing sponsors!

Join the Arctic Vortex Quilt Along

the geeky bobbin

fun fabric creations for the little geek in all of us

Arctic Vortex Quilt Along Week 8