Cool Cut Up...Continuous Bias Binding

The nifty continuous bias binding technique is pretty simple until you get to the part of cutting out round after round after round of binding from that awkward crumpled sleeve. It always seems the danger of a miss-directed scissor point will ruin the whole integrity of the strip. One tutorial for the binding had a suggestion in the comment section from another quilter. She said she draped the sleeve over the end of her ironing board to make the cutting go more smoothly. That got me to thinking about something that would have still less friction and more freedom of movement for the task...a tension curtain rod! It worked! This is great. Maybe I'll make all my stash into bias binding! It is that easy. Yea!

Just In Time for the Fourth!

Top left: Baby's Pinafore. Top Right: Tot's aprons with divided front pocket Bottom left: Flip side of same aprons, also with divided pockets. Bottom right: patch fix for when this apron edge got caught in the embroidery machine. Oops!

Seems ages ago I decided to make an apron for each of my local grands. The green stripe fabric had just enough from my stash, for two tot-sized aprons. Once I constructed the front pocket I realized I might be able to make this simple design reverse-able. I was still working on my granddaughter's red/white/blue Raggedy Ann quilt trilogy, and decided the red stripe fabric from that would be great either for a Christmas or the 4th of July-themed apron. Further thought, however, ruled out Christmas as a once per year occasion, while patriotic holidays seem ever-appropriate. 

With that decided, the binding color was an easy pick. Meanwhile, I had other projects to complete, so I kept setting this one aside until.... Oh! My goodness! A whole 'nother local grand came on the scene! She's far from big enough for one of the original aprons, just yet. Too, I have no more of the green stripe fabric, but I did find a pattern for a little pinafore. The trio of chefs will be able to roast their hot dogs in style. Well, two of them, at least. The baby's job is to look cute and ... sparkle!  🎆 Happy 4th!
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