Prairie Points

Prairie Points are a border of folded triangles that edge your quilt. Some quilters don’t call it a true form of binding but it is a variation of quilt binding.

The edging is made of folded fabric triangles that have been overlapped along the edge of the quilt. You can have these folded triangles facing either inwards or outwards on your quilt. They can also be added within your quilt around blocks or as a feature within a block as can be seen in the photo below. This shows a single prairie point on the birds head (shown in the paper pattern as well). Photo courtesy of Heidi Elliott

Folded triangles are added once you have finished quilting your three layers together. Ensure you don’t quilt the last 1” around the quilt. Fold and pin the backing out of the way as it will be finished last.

Prairie Point Instructions

1. Choose the size you want your point to extend from the edge of your quilt. (It is good to remember that a point that extends beyond 3” will tend to flop over). Times this by 2 and add ½ an inch. For example, if you want your points to extend two inches beyond the edge of the quilt, multiply 2" x 2" + 1/2" = 4 /12". Cut the square for a two inch point 4 1/2" x 4 1/2".

2. Cut the required number of squares.

3. Fold each square in half diagonally. Fold in half diagonally a second time. Lightly press the triangles so they keep their shape.

4. The triangles either lay on top of each other (overlapping) or fit down inside each other (nesting). Either way is fine. With right sides facing, position the raw edge of each prairie point along the quilts raw edge. Working from the center to the corner , adjust overlap to position folded triangles evenly. Pin in place and stitch. Trim seams and clip corners on the diagonal.

5. At the corners the folded triangles should be adjacent to each other and not overlapped.

6. Turn the seam allowance toward the back of the quilt. The points will turn out along the edge.

7. Release the pinned backing and fold under the raw edges to match the base of the folded triangles, covering the seam line. Hand stitch in place. If necessary, complete quilting out to the edge.

Tips

* You can use the pillowcase method to finish the quilt.

* For added interest, combine folded triangles of different sizes in one border.

* If the quilt has a traditional binding, the points will sit on the top of the quilt instead of facing outward, cut the binding 1/4" wider than normal to account for the added thickness of the folded squares, and bind the quilt normally, encasing the points raw edges.

* The following video shows them being made using a special ruler.

Sign up for my newsletter below!

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please let others know. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.