I didn’t want to start the New Year off on a negative note by talking about terrible tools…BUT the official New Year is over so I can NOW talk about MY worst tool for 20013…oh heck…let’s change that to the worst tool EVER!! This one is just plain BAD!! Now you may love this tool but for me it was just more work!
I’m referring to The Binding Tool…it looks like this…
I learned how to quilt from books. The binding method that I learned was the straight across method that left my binding with a bump…sort of looked like a snake that had swallowed a mouse. Well, maybe not THAT bad but you could always tell where my binding started and stopped! It always bothered me…
So I bought The Binding Tool…There are directions right on the tool…unfortunately no one knew how to figure it out…lots of flipping and flapping this ruler around!! So whenever I needed to put on binding I would bring out this tool AND I would turned to the YouTube video that Missouri Star put out on THE BINDING TOOL. The Missouri Star lady states right at the beginning that there was a lot of confusion using this ruler…whew…it’s not just me!!
SEW…I would follow the video, pause it, do it, play, pause, do , play-pause-do, play-pause-do, EVERY TIME!! After the 5th binding I still had to play-pause-do!! BUT my bindingss were lovely! I will give you that much!!
On my 6th Binding I went to pull up The Binding Tool Video and keyed in ‘Missouri Star Binding video’ by accident…well let me tell you…the Heavens Opened and I heard heavenly music!!! They had ANOTHER VIDEO…a much BETTER, EASIER and FOOL-PROOF way of putting on Binding WITHOUT this ruler!!
I have NOT used this ruler once since then…and I will NEVER use this ruler AGAIN!! I watched the video twice and have never watched it again…my binding are now easy to do, they are perfect, they are not stressful to put on, in fact… they are a JOY!! And I don’t need a tool or a video to put them on!!
Here’s the video that changed my BINDING life! If you want a quick, easy and effortless way of putting on the PERFECT binding then go HERE!!
My question to Missouri Star is WHY do they have two binding videos? If I was them, I would say at the end of The Binding Tool Video… “Now toss this Binding Tool AWAY and go to Video that shows you the the proper, easier method for perfect bindings every time!!” Just sayin’…
SEW… I’m pleased to say that Sweet P has now got perfect bindings, no lumps or bumps on those bindings…now if she could only get rid of lumps and bumps so easily on other places!! :o)
Wow…I was really wordy today, wasn’t I? So what about you?…what’s the worst tool on your sewing table?? Come on, cough it up!! We want to know…~P
Again you have kept us well informed. I watched the video. The clouds parted, the sun came out, it was glorious! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with the tool...it worked great but I had to fuss and watch the video each time I used it.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great tutorial! I was doing some things right and not others. One thing that I don't remember her saying is to press open the seams on the binding. I always do. I'm glad we are now working on our UFOs, so we'll have plenty of pieces for practice!Oh, I do wish they had different music!
ReplyDeleteI picked up the binding too a few years ago and, like you I watched the video. my annoyance was not so much that I had to watch the video but that the measurements assumed you used a 2.5" binding strip. I do a 2-1/4" binding and the tool never worked right. I actually learned the other way (new video) a long time ago but thought the tool would make things easier. It doesn't. regardless I end up watching some video because I always forget how to line up my edges and I end up ripping it out a few times because I have a twisted binding. lol!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of useless tools out there, imo. I've often wondered about some of these binding tools. I once received a pack of four of these metal thingies, supposedly used for making bindings. I never could figure out how to use them. Good thing I already know how to finish my bindings perfectly, probably the same method as your link. Happy New Years, P!
ReplyDeletelove,
Sandy
Great video, now I know how to fix my corner and joining issues
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever tried to use this tool, but I admit to wondering when I heard people just raving about it. I had a different tutorial that I had been following for binding that worked okay for me. However, just recently my friend showed me a practically similar method to what is shown in this video… and after the first try, it has worked out so easily and perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI found the "good" video a short time ago and tried it. It was GREAT! I will never do binding any other way. I loved it. So to all who haven't seen it, may I suggest you watch it - binding now comes out perfect! Great advice!
ReplyDeleteI used to struggle to use one of those Fons & Porter ones that was hard to use too, but now I just learned how to do it and only have to use a ruler to make one measurement and that's it.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that finally someone has spoken up about that miserable tool!!! The new binding method that you shared is almost exactly the same one that I discovered a year ago! It is fail proof and after a couple of times I don't need to follow any instructions!!
ReplyDeleteI do my binding ending a little different but with same results. Most tools are a waste of money. It's nice to get the job done without added expense to a quilt that is costing $$$ to begin with. Just saying...
ReplyDeleteAlright, now you have the makings for another reality show...Terrible Tools. You should really explore the possibilities you have there, Paulette. You could become famous, filthy rich, and who knows what else! On second thought...maybe not.
ReplyDeleteHilarious! I went and watched the first video with the horrible ruler......Too funny!
ReplyDeleteWell, once upon a time, way back in the beginnings of my quilting, there was this disc. Metal, small, round, about an eighth of an inch high with a hole in the middle. The distance between the hole in the disc and the outer edge was supposed to be one quarter of an inch. You used this 'tool' to make perfect quarter inch seam allowances for your hand made templates (I did say once upon a time, eh?) The problem was that not all pencil tips are made equal. Only a mechanical pencil tip would fit. Not all quilters have mechanical pencils. I don't think I ever used it but I may still have it hanging around - somewhere. Then, of course, there was the platinum needle (for hand quilting.) Expensive. A friend bought one at a quilt show. First time using it, it bent. 'Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteI saw one on tv and taped it, then we lost the programs during a power out and that was the only way I liked, lol. I cannot do the binding like that, it means my corners of the binding have to line up with the corner of the quilt, that isn't going to happen, haha.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Watched the tutorial and can't believe how easy to end it.. I always wondered how to do that,, thank you so , uh for the info. Maggey
ReplyDeleteHoly smokes--old dogs can learn new tricks. The little ladies who taught me to quilt about 5 years ago at a RV resort in San Antonio, TX taught me how to end my binding as the video shows. A fellow guild member taught me the little sew off the quilt at an angle at each corner--makes a tremendous difference in how your corners look!! But the best thing I got out of this video was how she laid her binding strips across each other--holy smokes!! I struggle with the dang things trying to make my angle perfect, make all the edges line up and then am still off. I can't WAIT to try this method!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tip about the second Missouri Star tutorial! I bought that binding tool after watching the first tutorial. I didn't like my results using the tool, but I'm going to try this other method now!
ReplyDeleteI have the Fons and Porter one and I can never do the binding right the first time. I twist it, then have to rippit, cuss, try again. Get frustrated, want to throw the quilt across the room, take a deep breath, start again. Glad to hear I am not the only one.
ReplyDeleteThat's basically the same method I was taught as a new quilter for binding. After hearing your story, I'm super glad!
ReplyDeleteThe second Missouri Star tutorial is the one I keep bookmarked. Jenny also has a tutorial using that 'worst tool for 2013' to make an Easy Table Runner that is really cute.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I had that tool too until I threw it out the window about a year ago. LOL! Glad I am not the only one.
ReplyDeleteUGH.......way back I tried that binding tool...BOOOOO!!! Off to check out that binding tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI hate the binding tool too! I have tried without success to use it. I had see that video before but forgot how good it was. I am so ready to try to try another binding now.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why I would need a tool for binding. Here's a link to an excerpt on joining the ends of binding. It's so easy and works perfect every time. Check out Jo's webpage. She's a phenomenal artist. I use her longarm services.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMArojcxdUs http://www.quiltography.com/
I have that tool also and had a hard time trying to use it. I saw Darlene Zimmerman on Sewing with Nancy and she bound a quilt the same way as the Missouri Star Quilt Company. Now whenever I see a binding tool, I always think "what do you need that for" when the way I now do it is so easy. I have other useless quilting tools or rulers that some class teacher or other person said I couldn't live without and I bought them all! What an idiot I was. I hardly ever use any gadgets and now I really think long and hard before I purchase any quilting tools or rulers.
ReplyDeleteIt is good article and in my opinion this one give many advantages especially for me
ReplyDeleteand others.
I do hope you always update the best article like it.
If there is new article like this one again, i will check it as soon as possible.Good luck
and thank you so much.
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I probably have this somewhere, I have never used it. My Worst tool is one of my Cheap Rotary cutters and my Fiskars Cutting mat. Nice that is came with two sides, but DH broke it putting it in the car. @4.99 down the tubes. I found that I'd been cutting through after I changed my blade. That could have weakened it. Go for the OLFA Mat it's worth the money!
ReplyDeleteI'm off to watch the video in a minute but thought I'd just say that I had that metal disc thingy to add a 1/4 inch seam, used it once, and never since. It was more trouble than it was worth, and the leads in my mechanical pencil kept breaking too.
ReplyDeleteYep...I got suckered into buying that binding tool also and after 6 quilts I gave it up! I found a quicker method but the video you linked is even better! Thanks
ReplyDeleteI had SIX large quilts that needed their binding put on but because I had the same problem as you (looked like a snake had swallowed a mouse where I started and ended the binding) I had put them off and was dreading doing them. Then I came across this video late last Fall and yes, the heavens did open up! I got all six bindings done in no time at all, and they all turned out great! Now instead of bindings being the worst thing, I actually look forward to doing them. Missouri Star Quilts has other great tutorials out there, too. Love 'em!!
ReplyDeleteI have this tool but never used it because it seemed more complicated than the way I've been doing my bindings. They are invisible and no lumps so why change a thing. I haven't found anyone that actually know how to use the tool...waste of money for sure.
ReplyDeleteI use a binding tool but not this one. Really all it does is measure the 2 1/4" over lap. One thing I do that she did not show on the video is that I press the joining seams on the binding open. Helps keep from have double seam on one side.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that Missouri Star also has a video for using that same tool to make a Friendship Braid. I haven't made one yet, but check it out! You may end up liking the tool! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpHAp_pyVXQ
ReplyDeleteI too use books to make my quilts. And I learn new processes via books.
ReplyDeleteMy go too book is the art of classic quilt making by Harriet hargrave and sharyn Craig. Their steps to end a binding is super simple. Happily i don't need to look it up any longer.
And I am not much of a gadget person.
Why is it that we quilters feel that we have to have every gadget that they put on the market. I bought a binding pad thing that you can pull your fabric thru the slot and iron it in half on this little pad. Useless. By the time you fight the binding thru the little slot, you could easily have ironed the entire strip on your ironing board... but it look like such a great thing to have to have! :-)
ReplyDelete