"French Facing" and I really do have an iron...

Slowly but surely I'm getting to the finished piece.  I did not want a traditional binding on the outside edge and opted to use a technique called a "French facing".  Allie did a tutorial about it on her blog and another for the CQMag online.  I used this technique on my suffragette quilt and loved the nice clean tailored edge it gave.  I actually thought I had blogged about it but couldn't find it...

First I cut four 4" squares and folded them diagonally, one for each corner.  Then I cut four strips (one for each side (each 2 1/2" wide)

I also trimmed some of the batting away at the corner to eliminate bulk.

 
I also cut each side strip about an inch shorter also to eliminate bulk. 

When it is all sewn, turned and  the edges if the facing strips are turned under... it looks like this.  If you are interested in trying this, use Allie's tutorial as it is much more detailed than mine.

For years I have used just a little travel steam iron for all my CQ work  etc., but it doesn't steam that well anymore so I went in search of a proper iron because I wanted to give these facings a really good pressing...

... Absolutely none to be found in the house but I found three in the barn... They probably qualify as genuine antiques.

I am treating myself to some uninterrupted painting time this week and first on the list are finishing some very special cats for a couple very special ladies.  Yesterday was eye injections and painting time is my reward making it through another session.  Except for twice when the eye was not completely numb, the injections themselves are not the problem... It is the antiseptic betadine.  I am among a small percentage of patients with an adverse reaction to it.  My eyes literally burn with pain for 12-16 hours after application and my whole face swells and itches horribly.  And it seems it is necessary to prevent infection with the shots..



 

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