Quilting College–101–Metropolitan Patchwork Society May, 2013
At the May program, four members of the guild demonstrated four techniques to small groups of
quilters. The presenters and the topics were: Robin Hill with English Paper Piecing; Wendy Miller with
Japanese Weaving; Vickie Rooks with Flange Binding and Kyoko Streuber with Kanzashi Flower
Making. If you were not able to attend the meeting or would like additional information we are posting
it so you can take advantage of the material presented.
English Paper Piecing—Robin Hill
I learned about English Paper Piecing from a sample pack of hexagons. During the demonstration
program, I handed out sample packs provided by PaperPieces.
Japanese Weaving—Wendy Miller
I learned about Japanese weaving on the Fons and Porter television show (1700 series) and curved
weaving from Sew It All on PBS Mystery Tote (episode 410).
This is the information provided in Wendy’s handout:
Japanese Weaving
References:
 “Fons & Porter Quilting” TV show (1700 series)
 Quilted Elegance by Rami Kim (available from Amazon)
Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Start with strip sets sewn together. Sets are 1 inch, 1 ¼ inches and 1 inch
wide.
Press narrow strips out. Then clip over and press out the edge into the cover
seams. You will need to make a lot of strips. Roll them around a paper tube
and pin to it.
Stabilizer Fabric—Making a weaving board using a piece of fiber glass
insulation from the hardware store; 2 layers of cotton batting, a layer of
Insulbrite and a layer of muslin
—Using the fusible stabilizer rough side up,
a) Mark a grid for 45 angle or make a board,
b) Draw a grid
c) Hook or pin fusible web to board
d) Pat down strips all in one direction first, pinning at ends
e) Then weave strips the other direction using safety pin on end of strip to
help weave it.
f) Once it is all woven tighten it up then fuse down with iron with an
appliqué pressing sheet on top.
g) After it pressed sew ¼” away from edge then quilt every other row.
h) Finally add backing and batting then quilt other rows and trim up edges.
You can also use the woven fabric for making a purse.
Flange Binding—Vickie Rooks
I learned about this technique from a demonstration at the Portland Modern Quilt Guild. Even though I
enjoy putting on binding in the traditional way of sewing the binding to the front and taking the binding
to the back and then hand sewing it, I am intrigued by this method. The woman that originally
demonstrated this technique said she used it because it was faster but I have not found that to be the
case. I do think it would be a good technique to learn if you don’t like hand sewing or if hand sewing
causes you pain. I think it would also be a good way to finish a quilt that will be washed often. I have
only tried this on three projects and want to play with it more.
This is what I handed out to the people visiting my demonstration:
Flange Binding
The binding will be put on the back of the quilt, brought to the front and then machine sewn down.
You will use two contrasting fabrics to make this binding.
Process:
1. Cut strips to obtain the desired flange width.
2. Sew strips together using a quarter inch seam, set seam and press towards the contrast
fabric.
3. Fold the binding in half with wrong sides together and press.
4. Sew the binding to the quilt on the back side with the contrast fabric touching the quilt
back and the flange fabric visible. Miter the corners and finish the ends using your favorite
method.
5. Bring the binding to the front of the quilt.
6. Stitch in the ditch or edge-stitch next to the contrast fabric to secure the binding to the
front side. Consider using a decorative stitch.
For an eighth of an inch flange—
Flange material—1 and 3/4 inches wide by the length of needed binding
Contrast material—1 and 1/2 inches wide by the length of needed binding
For a quarter inch flange—
Flange material—1 and 7/8 inches wide by the length of needed binding
Contrast material—1 and 3/8 inches wide by the length of needed binding
For a 3/8 inch flange—
Flange material—2 inches wide by the length of needed binding
Contrast material—1 and 1/4 inches wide by the length of needed binding
Kanzashi Flower Making—Kyoko Streuber
I learned about Kanzashi flower making from books and the internet. The online tutorial I
recommended is: www.bittybitsandpieces.blogspot.com I would also recommend “Kanzashi in
Bloom” written by Diane Gilleland. There are a lot of Kanzashi images on the web.