Binding Barb Style

There are several different styles of binding techniques which have been posted about here in the past.  Since I'm binding Magdalena's Farm rug thought it was about time to do another tutorial of sorts. 

I've been very fortunate to have had many camps with Barb at Woolley Fox and when we were treated to a home tour took the opportunity to check out the bottom of her rugs to see how they were bound.  Oh yes I did girlfriend (as I swirl my head around like a teenager)!  Bold of me, right?  Well a girl just needs to see first hand how the master does it.

Barb has a booklet which gives all the information about hooking, cutting wool, hooks, etc., a very good beginner book.  It also shows how she binds her rugs.  Hopefully it is still in print since I'm posting about it here.  By the way, there is a free pattern insert inside too.

In the book Barb demonstrates how she uses wool yarn to whip on the underside of the rug by catching the foundation and the cotton binding. Must admit that Mz. Barb is more liberal with her wool yarn than me but mine does the job ~ hers is more lush.  Neither her way nor my way is seen from above and does not detract from the wool rug above.  That is the beauty of this style.

My yarn has variegated colors which are also in the rug itself.  But again, it isn't seen from the top of the rug but makes a nice statement when you flip it over.

Now, the hidden secret I learned while snooping under Barb's rug is that extra step.  One which I've known about since looking at her binding but haven't tried until now.  If you look closely at the picture above as well as the one above that, you will see a gentle running stitch down the middle of the cotton binding.  Now why didn't I ever think about doing that? 

If you think about it, that would make the cotton binding more stable when doing the inside stitching step.  It would also prevent the cotton binding from wrinking and fraying more easily.  Yes, it is yet another step for a task none of us like (binding a rug), but it does have its good points.  This is the first time I've gone that "extra step" yet wanted to let you all know about it.

For sure this last binding project will be done in time for Cape May.  Today I even made rug labels for several of the last rugs I've hooked this year.  While they may not all be attached to the back in time for Cape May show I do have something special to show you about making rug labels.

Hey, you ain't seen nutten yet.  Wait til I post about my rug labels tomorrow.  Okay, okay, some of you gals are far more computer and label savvy than me so you may know more, but today I got better than I was yesterday. 

Have a great evening everyone and be ready for the cool down tomorrow.  Personaly, I can't wait.

Saundra