Match Stripes When Making Bias Tape

So... I was really hoping to have pictures of the leftover's quilt to show you this week... but it rained this weekend when I was planning on getting pictures. And even I am not dedicated enough to make my husband stand out in the rain while I get pictures. :) I'm hoping to have them up next week!

Today I'm going to share a quick tip about matching stripes while you are making bias strips or bias tape. It really makes the seams less noticeable on a quilt or clothing.

 It's a simple trick... just increase the over hang, until you find a place where all the stripes line up.

 See how the two strips make a little 'v' where they intersect at the top and bottom of the strip? Sew right through the point of those v's. I talk about this a bit more in this serging strips tutorial.

 Open up your perfectly matched bias strip!

Obviously, this technique is easiest when the stripes are regular and not random in color and width. But it still works with irregular stripes like this just fine. Hope this helps the next time you are making a stripy binding! Don't forget to come back on Friday for our next Handmade Confession with Sew Charmingly Quilted.

Leftover's Quilt: Progress, Progress and a plea for help!

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 I had a million things to do on my 'day off' yesterday... so I did this instead:

I finished the quilting on the leftover's quilt! Now I just have to bind it.I'd been saving this yard of Robert Kaufman stripes for an embarrassingly long time; just for this quilt. But my husband wasn't crazy about it.

I shouldn't have asked him in the first place-- but now I'm second guessing myself. I'd put it on the bias like this:

What do you all think? Stick with this, or get something new? I'd love to hear your opinion!

ETA:  The KID Short's giveaway ends on Sunday! Make sure you enter before then!