There is finishing and finishing

So, I have finished my 5 soft quilted baskets, although the things to put in them are still to be done.  Each basket is a different quilting design.

The finishing of each basket took a bit of extra time.  I do not like how many instructions tell you to just machine stitch the opening in the bottom lining closed. 

It is messy and not a good finish.  I always ladder stitch this opening to close it.

To do this I use my normal sewing thread and an embroidery needle.

The other thing I like to do is catching the corners of the lining to the main fabric.  It really annoys me if that lining doesn't stay in place.   To do this I use a perle 8 thread and a thicker needle. 

I start by making a quilter's knot in the end of the thread, some times I add an extra twist of thread on the needle so it will hold.

I then trim this back.

I line up my corners, that is the lining and the main fabric,

and pull the thread through to the corner on the other side until it is firmly in place.

Just below the fold I then make 2 back stitches.  You have to look for this stitching as it sort of disappears.

 

to finish the thread I run my needle between the layers of fabric and cut it close to where I brought my needle out.

I know it would have been a lot easier just to machine close that opening but taking time to finish a project is really worth the investment of time to give you a more professional finish.

 

Comments

[Rachel]

Absolutely it is!

[Queenie Patch]

I agree with you, the ladder stitch closure is far nicer. I love your idea for the corners, too.

[Carolyn Foley]

I feel a lot happier doing it this way.