Beginner's Guide To Quilting - UK (2020-04)

Adding texture

RIC-RAC
Ric-rac is another fun way to draw
attention to the top and bottom edges of
your project. The best width to use for
small projects is 6mm ((¼in) or 1.6cm
(^58 in) wide. Align the edge of the ric-rac
with the top or bottom edge on the front
of the project. Baste 3mm (^18 in) from the
raw edge to hold the ric-rac in place. The
edges will be sewn into the seam
allowance during the finishing stage.

BEADED EDGES
Add some sparkle and dimension to the
edges of your project with beads. This
needs to be done after the top/bottom
edges are finished and preferably after
the binding is attached to the sides.
Use a stop bead to secure a length of
beads. With a milliner’s needle and
beading thread, sew on the beads. After
going through the last bead, insert the
needle through a stop bead, and then
back through the preceding beads. After
each addition of hanging beads, take a
small, hidden backstitch for security.
Beads along the top edge need to stand
up; consequently there’s a limit to the
size and number of beads. Along the
bottom edge, any size and number of
beads can be used.

BEADED TRIM
Trim adds an interesting element to your
project. However, this is only suitable for
the bottom edge because of its fringe-like
properties. With this type of beading,
beads are attached to the edge of a ribbon
and the ribbon is hidden in the seam.
Measure the width of the ribbon to
determine your seam allowance. If the
ribbon is 6mm (¼in) wide, align the edge
of the ribbon with the right side facing

Beginner’s Guide to Quilting 139

HOW TO MAKE A JEWEL EDGE

down and the trimmed, raw edge on the

front of the project. Baste 3mm (^18 in)

from the edge. When finishing the

project, use a 6mm (¼in) seam allowance

and a zipper foot. If the ribbon is wider

than 6mm (¼in), adjust the width of the

seam allowance accordingly.

RIBBON AND DECORATIVE THREADS

After your piece is finished and bound,

A

D

B

E

C

This article is from Sew Embellished:

Artistic Little Quilts, Personalized With

Easy Techniques by Cheryl Lynch,

published by Martingale. Cheryl blogs at

cheryllynchquilts.blogspot.com. To buy this

book for the special price of £15.99 (rrp £19.99),

call 01273 603 717 or visit bit.ly/Nnf9sD.

Sew Embellished

C A

B

1"

it’s still not too late to add a bit of bling

using ribbons and decorative threads.

Use a sharp needle with a big eye and

sew through the bottom edge – a small

pair of pliers may be needed to pull the

needle and ribbon through the layers of

fabric. Tie off the ribbon, trim the ends

and embellish with beads, if desired.

Ribbon combined with beads adds glitz to

the bottom edge of your quilt.

F

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