What I Learned from a Professional Quilt Coat Maker

What I Learned from a Professional Quilt Coat Maker:

Lottie of LottieDalDesigns

I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Lottie from LottieDalDesigns, a talented textile artist from Florida. Lottie specializes in repurposing heirloom and vintage textiles into beautiful quilt coats. While I’ve been making bias tape for years, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never used it on a quilt coat! (My mom made this one.

Watching Lottie’s process was eye-opening, and I’m excited to share it with you. If you’ve been thinking about tackling your own quilt coat but are fearful of attaching the binding, this post is for you. Watching Lottie work her magic will give you the confidence to do it yourself!

Full disclosure: Lottie is a Bessie Pearl Brand Ambassador, so she was gifted the bias tape in exchange for her promotion. That said, her feedback on using good quality bias tape is invaluable, and seeing how she incorporates it into her finished quilt coat is inspiring.

Inside Fold: A Game-Changer for Precision

Did everyone else know this trick? I didn’t realize you could use the inside fold of the bias tape as your sewing guide! It’s such a simple but effective technique that makes sewing much easier. At the end of the seam, Lottie stitches at an angle, and in this next video, you’ll see why—and how easy it is to create a mitered corner with bias tape.

Hot Tip: Keeping Your Binding Neat

I have to get one of these magnetic hooks for my machine! It’s such a simple tool, but it’s incredibly effective for keeping your binding neat and out of the way while you’re sewing it on. This little trick can make a big difference in your sewing experience.

The Extra Fold: Why It Matters

I often get asked why I don’t offer single-fold bias tape, and the truth is, I prefer double fold so that my customers don’t have to take that extra step. Hearing Lottie talk about how helpful the extra fold is in her process made me so happy. That additional step streamlines her binding process, making it smoother and faster—and that’s exactly what I want for my customers.

Mitered Seams: A Professional Finish

Mitered seams have always been important to me. They provide a professional, functional finish, creating a less bulky look in your binding and a smoother overall appearance. Lottie’s use of mitered seams is a testament to this technique’s value in achieving a polished final product.