A Better Way to Finish Curved Quilt Projects
Quilted pieces aren’t always squares or rectangles. Sometimes we create beautiful shapes with curves—like hearts, circles, or other rounded designs.
Because these shapes are a bit tricky, how you finish them really matters. Here are a few simple tips to help keep the shape just right.
1. Skip the binding when you can
Binding a heart or a circle is very different from binding a square quilt. Curves and points are harder to control, so if I can skip binding, I happily do—it makes the finish cleaner, less stressful, and much faster!
2. Be careful with the “turning” method
When you skip binding, a common technique is to:
- quilt the front first, only on batting (no backing)
- place the quilted front and backing right sides together
- stitch around the edge, leaving a small gap
- turn the piece right side out
The tricky part comes at the very end: closing that gap.
To finish it neatly, you need to stitch exactly on the original seam line. With thick layers and narrow seam allowances, this is often where shapes get slightly distorted—and even a small distortion can be visible on a heart or curved edge.
If you use this technique and have a choice, always place the gap on a straight edge, never on a curve.
TRENDING patterns
3. A stress-free way to finish curved shapes
For hearts, circles, and other curved designs, I prefer a different technique: a two-piece backing.
The backing is stitched together first, leaving a gap in the center.
Then the quilted front and backing are sewn together around the entire outer edge and turned through that center opening.
This way:
- turning the piece doesn’t distort the shape
- the curves keep their clean lines
- the closing seam is finished in the middle of the backing, where it won’t be seen
A few more tips for keeping the best shape:
– trim the seam allowances to 1/8” (I don’t clip into the seam allowances of the curved edge)- this works very well
– trim deep into the seam allowance as shown below, close to the seam, making sure the seam remains intact (see the green mark).
Trim the piece at the bottom corner as shown.
– use a turning tool to shape the piece.
Press with steam. Handstitch the gap in the backing closed.
This is the technique I use in my quilt-as-you-go heart coaster/placemat pattern.
There isn’t a single step in this pattern that feels tricky or frustrating.
The process is smooth from start to finish—I could sew these designs all day long, mixing and matching my favorite fabrics.
This is the latest placemat I stitched—and I still have so many beautiful prints waiting their turn. I just wish I had more time to sew them all!
Find this QAYG heart placemat/coaster pattern in this ONE DAY PROJECTS bundle here.
