And just like that, we’ve reached the final step in the Merry Midnight Quilt-Along!
This week is all about getting those Merry Midnight projects bound and officially calling them finished 😊
There’s something about binding that always amazes me.
Sometimes, when I’m in the throes of quilting a project, I can start questioning whether I even like where things are headed – ha!
And then I get the binding on.
Suddenly, everything feels pulled together, and I’m right back to being smitten.
Please tell me I’m not the only one this happens to?!
The Merry Midnight Quilt Block Pattern is available for instant digital download here.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to shop through them, at no extra cost to you. I only share fabrics and tools I genuinely love and would happily use myself.
Merry Midnight Quilt-Along
Following along with the Merry Midnight QAL? Here’s where you can find each step in our easygoing stitching adventure:
- Week 1 – Getting Started – Choose your project, pull your fabrics, and get ready to stitch.
- Week 2 – Cutting + Piecing – Press and cut your fabrics, then stitch up your Merry Midnight blocks.
- Week 3 – Basting + Quilting – Finalize your layout, baste your project, and add some quilty texture.
- Week 4 – Binding + Finishing – Add those final binding stitches and celebrate your Merry Midnight finish!
Choosing the Binding Fabric
When I was working through my original Merry Midnight fabric pull, I didn’t include the binding fabric in my planning.
There was no real reason for that other than…nothing was immediately captivating me.
It’s funny how some quilts seem to tell me exactly what binding they need right from the beginning, while others leave me making that decision at the very last minute.
This one was definitely in the latter camp – ha!
Once my Merry Midnight Table Runner was completely quilted, I spent a little time standing in front of my Fabric Cabinet.
There’s not much of a plan when I do this.
I mostly just stand there and see what catches my eye 😉
This is one of the reasons I love having my fabric organized. Based on where a fabric is stored in my cabinet, I usually have a pretty good idea of whether I have enough yardage for the project without pulling everything out.
As I started auditioning binding fabrics, there were a few things running through my mind.
1. I wanted it to coordinate, not contrast
You know I love a good striped binding, and I was definitely tempted!
But in this case, I felt like a stripe might detract rather than add that glorious geometric punch it normally brings to my quilty projects.
There was already quite a bit happening between the Merry Midnight patchwork, the quilting design, and the tree print on the back.
I wanted the binding to help tie everything together rather than introduce another strong element.
2. I didn’t want to cut into a large piece of yardage
Does this happen to you too?
I tend to shy away from cutting into my larger fabric cuts for binding because somewhere in the back of my mind I’m thinking, but what if I need that for a quilt background later?!
Those larger cuts feel precious – ha!
So, I started by digging through my smaller remnants to see whether I could make something work.
3. It had to make me excited
This is always my final test.
There can be several fabrics that technically work, but I’m waiting for the one that makes me think, yes, that’s it.
After auditioning quite a few options, I landed on this adorable floral print by The Tattooed Quilter.
I actually won these fabrics wayyyy back when in an Instagram giveaway he hosted with Riley Blake Designs, and I couldn’t believe I won!
I’ve made several projects with these prints over the years — my holiday Double Windmill wall quilt instantly comes to mind.
What sold me here was the purply-pink colour.
It coordinates beautifully with the PURE Solids ombré purples featured throughout my Merry Midnight patchwork, while also connecting with one of the coloured trees in my backing print.
That felt like my sign that this was a good contender 😊
I didn’t love cutting into a half-yard cut of fabric, but none of my smaller remnants were quite right.
And sticking with my low-buy intentions meant making what I already had work.
The bonus?
Those adorable floating white flowers almost look like little snowflakes drifting around, which ties in perfectly with the wintery tree print on the back.
Sold!
Making the Quilt Binding
With the fabric decision finally made, I did some quick quilty math to figure out how many binding strips I needed to cut.
If this is one of those calculations that makes you stop and scratch your head for a minute, my Quilt Binding Tutorial walks you through exactly how to figure out how many strips you’ll need.
Whether you’re binding a placemat, table runner, wall hanging, or a full-sized quilt, the same formula works.
I also show you how to join the binding strips together — a step that definitely took me a minute to wrap my head around when I first started quilting 😉
With my binding made, attaching it to the front of the table runner by machine was a pretty quick process.
And this is always the moment where I start getting excited.
The finish line is officially in sight!
Big Stitch Hand Binding
From here, I get to settle in for one of my favourite parts: quietly stitching the binding down by hand.
This still makes me smile when I think about how much I avoided hand sewing when I first started quilting.
Funny how our creative practices evolve, isn’t it?
Binding was really where my own hand-stitching journey started to grow. There’s something about slowing down for that final step, being up close with the fabrics, and adding those last few stitches that I’ve come to really enjoy.
Of course, if machine binding is your preferred finishing method, go for it!
The whole point is to finish your Merry Midnight project in the way that works best for you.
For my table runner, though, I wanted it to be beautiful from both sides.
So I opted for my favourite big stitch hand binding to add one more layer of detail to the back.
That way, if I flip the runner over, I still get to enjoy the trees, those little floating flowers, the machine-quilted motif, and a row of hand-stitched details bringing everything together.
I often get asked whether my big stitch binding is decorative or functional.
My favourite answer?
Both!
Those stitches are helping secure the binding while also becoming part of the final design.
You can read more about why I love big stitch hand binding and how I use it in my quilts here.
Look What a Few Weeks of Stitching Can Do!
And with those final binding stitches in place, my Merry Midnight Table Runner is officially finished!
What I love most is realizing how manageable the whole project felt when broken down over several weeks.
- A little fabric planning.
- A little cutting.
- A little piecing.
- Some quilting.
- And finally, binding.
None of the individual steps needed to feel rushed, and yet here we are with a handmade holiday project ready well before the holiday frazzles arrive 😊
I’ll be using my runner for holiday entertaining, but a handmade table runner would also make such a lovely host or housewarming gift during a season filled with gatherings.
And, of course, your Merry Midnight project doesn’t need to be a table runner at all.
Whether you made a placemat, pillow, wall hanging, runner, or went all-in on a quilt, I hope you’ve enjoyed watching your project come to life.
Keep the Quilty Momentum Going:
Finished Merry Midnight and already thinking about your next quilty adventure? Here are a few more quilt-along projects and finished quilts to keep those creative ideas flowing.
Thank You for Stitching Along!
I can’t tell you how honoured I am whenever you decide to join me on one of these quilty adventures.
Sewing can sometimes feel like a pretty solitary creative practice, and knowing that we’re all stitching along in our own sewing spaces somehow makes it feel a little less lonely.
Plus, I’m endlessly inspired by the colour combinations and creative ideas you come up with!
So please don’t forget to share your finished Merry Midnight project on the ‘gram or in our private Facebook group so we can all get in on the quilty fun and celebrate one another’s finishes.
And if you’re still working on yours?
Keep going!
There are no late finishes around here 😊
Thank you so much for stitching along with me.
Happy quilting!
xo,
Shannon
P.S. Want more quilting inspiration? Join Studio Notes for behind-the-scenes projects, creative encouragement, helpful tutorials, and early access to new patterns and courses. I’d love to have you there.
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