Space Invaders Quilt

While shopping for quilt fabrics at a local cotton store in Chennai, India, we came across some neon colored cloth.  My mind immediately jumped to 80's aerobics outfits, but my husband had a great idea: A Space Invaders themed quilt.  I decided that was a great idea.  Especially since I'd already found black skull fabric at the cotton street the week before.  What could be more fun than neon Space Invaders on black skull fabric?

This instructable will be a guide on the dimension of the squares and cuts that I used to make the quilt.  I am not going to teach you how to quilt, since this is only my 4th quilt, therefore I am definitely not qualified to teach anyone.  Also, the neon fabric that I used was not pure cotton.  It was a mix, which was difficult to sew with.  It also may mean that if you use different fabrics, your borders may need to be slightly different measurements.  I'll remind you of this when the time comes.

1st: Buy fabric.

• Black: I used about 8 m total, but that is because I also used this fabric for the backing.  I think you should get 2 1/2 m at the least.
• Colored Fabric: I bought 1 m each, but used less than half.  I would go ahead and by a meter anyway.  That way you could use any of the fabrics for your binding.
• Remember that before you start cutting you first need to wash and dry all your fabric. 

2nd: Must Have Tools

• Rotary cutter and mat
• Pins
• Iron
• Fabric scissors and stitch remover
• Ruler
• Sewing Machine
• Thread (I used dark gray, but you can use whatever color you want.  You need to pick a color that matches your fabric, so that it doesn't show through.)

3rd: Iron your fabric

Cutting

1. Take your ironed green fabric and cut 2 strips 2 inches wide.
2. Now you can cut 36 2x2 in. squares OR if you are used to quilting you could cut 4 strips 8x2 inches, 2 strips 12x 2 inches, and 8 individual squares of 2x2.
3. Take your black fabric and cut 2 strips 2 inches wide.
4. Now you can cut 44 2x2 in. squares OR 3 strips 8x2,  2 strips 20x2 inches, and 12 individual black 2x2 squares.

NOTE: This block requires 80 2x2 in. squares (36 colored and 44 black).

Sewing

• When sewing for this quilt I have used the 1/4in seam allowance used my most quilters.
• Each block consists of 8 rows, with each row consisting of 10 2x2in squares.
• If you look at the picture attached of my drawing on graph paper, you can see what order you need to sew in.  The colored fabric is colored in with pencil.

Individual Squares Details: If you chose to cut the squares all individually these are your instructions.

•  For the 1st row, if you are doing individual squares you would sew 4 blacks together, then 2 green, and then 4 blacks.
• The 2nd row would be 3 blacks, 4 green, and 3 blacks.
• The 3rd row is 2 B, 6 G, 2 B.
• The 4th row is 1B, 2 G, 1 B, 2 G, 1 B, 2 G, and 1 B.
• The 5th row is 1 B, 8 G, 1 B.
• The 6th row is 3B, 1 G, 2 B, 1 G, 3B
• The 7th row is 2B, 1G, 1B, 2G, 1B, 1G, 2B
• The 8th row is 1B, 1G,  1B, 1G, 2B, 1G, 1B, 1G, 1B

If you cut strips earlier these are your instructions:

• Take your 4 8x2in colored fabric strips and sew the 8 in sides together.
• Then take your 2 12in  colored fabric strips and sew them together on the 12 in side.
• Take your 3 8in black strips and sew them together on the 8 in side.
• Then take your 2 20in black strips and sew them together.
• NOW take your sewed rows and cut them into 2in segments (you are cutting perpendicular to the seam, so that when you are done you will have groups of squares sewn together.)  When you are done cutting you should have 4 strips of 4 colored blocks sewn together, 6 strips of 2 colored blocks, 4 strips of 3 black blocks, and 10 strips of 2 black blocks.

 Sewing your rows:

• 1st Row: 1 of 3 black block strips, 1 individual black, a 2 block green, a 3 black block, and finally an individual black.
• 2nd Row: 1 3 black block, 1 4 colored block, 1 3 black block.
• 3rd Row: 1 2B, 1 4Colored, 1 2Colored, 1 2B
• 4th Row: I individual Black, 1 2Colored, 1 individual Black, 1 2Colored, 1 individual Black, 1 2colored, 1 individual black.
• 5th Row: I individual Black, 2 4Colored, 1 individual Black
• 6th Row: 1 3B, 1 individual Colored, 1 2B, 1 individual Colored, 1 3B
• 7th Row: 1 2B, 1 Individual Colored, 1 individual black, 1 2C, 1 individual black, 1 individual colored, 1 2B
•  8th Row: 1 individual B, 1 individual C, 1 individual B, individual C, 1 2B, 1 individual C, 1 individual B, individual C, and 1 individual B.

Sewing your rows together

• First you need to iron your seams.  Iron the back of your sewed row, making sure that the seams are all ironed in the same direction.
• It doesn't really matter which way you iron the seams because they are symmetrical.  Make sure to iron the back and the front.
• Take your first row and your second row.  Put the front sides facing each other.
• Line up the seams (You should have one seam facing one way and the other seam facing the other way in order to make lining up the seams easier.)
• Pin your fabric. I like to put a pin at each place where seams meet.  This will help the squares to line up.  If you don't pin it, the fabric can slide and make your seams off.  I am NOT perfect at his.
• Sew the pieces together using the 1/4 in seam allowance.
• Iron the seam flat on the back first and then on the front.
• Take the 3rd row and sew it to the 2nd row following the same guidelines.  Follow for all 8 rows.

Border for Green Invader:

• 1st measure the long side of your square.  It should be 14 in.  If it is something else, then change the length of your borders pieces.
• Using your black fabric, cut 4 border pieces of 14 in x 2 in. (Unless your block turned out a different size)
• Sew the borders onto the long sides first. 
• Measure the short sides of the block.  It should be 14 in, now that you have added the border piece to the long side.  If it isn't then change your measurements.
• Sew the border onto the short sides.
• Iron everything.

Repeat these guidelines two more times, so you have a total of 3 green invaders when you are finished.  You need to make sure that all 3 finished blocks are the same height.  Measure them to each other and trim any that are a different size.  Width will matter when compared with the other two colored invaders.

Cutting

• Take your ironed pink fabric and cut 2 strips 2 inches wide.
• Now you can cut 42 2x2 in. squares OR if you are used to quilting you could cut 6 strips 6x2 inches, 2 strips 10x 2 inches, and 14 individual squares of 2x2.
• Take your black fabric and cut 2 strips 2 inches wide.
• Now you can cut 38 2x2 in. squares OR 2 strips 14x2 inches, and 10 individual black 2x2 squares. (This can be done in different groups of squares.)

NOTE: This block requires 80 2x2 in. squares (42 colored and 38 black).

Sewing

• When sewing for this quilt I have used the 1/4in seam allowance used my most quilters.
• Each block consists of 8 rows, with each row consisting of 10 2x2in squares.
• If you look at the picture attached of my drawing on graph paper, you can see what order you need to sew in.  The colored fabric is colored in with pencil.

Individual Squares Details: If you chose to cut the squares all individually these are your instructions.

• For the 1st row, if you are doing individual squares you would sew 2 blacks together, then 1 pink, 4 blacks, 1 pink, and then 2 blacks.
• The 2nd row would be 3 blacks, 1 pink, 2 blacks, 1 pink, and 3 blacks.
• The 3rd row is 2B, 6P, 2B.
• The 4th row is 1B, 2P, 1B, 2P, 1B, 2P, and 1B.
• The 5th row is 10 pink
• The 6th row is 1P, 1B, 6P, 1B, 1P
• The 7th row is 1P, 1B, 1P, 4B, 1P, 1B, 1P
• The 8th row is 1P, 2B,  1P, 2B, 1P, 2B, 1P

If you cut strips earlier these are your instructions:

• Take your 6 6x2in colored fabric strips and sew the 6 in sides together.
• Then take your 2 10in colored fabric strips and sew them together on the 10 in side.
• Take your 2 14in black strips and sew them together on the 14 in side.
• NOW take your sewed rows and cut them into 2in segments (you are cutting perpendicular to the seam, so that when you are done you will have groups of squares sewn together.)  When you are done cutting you should have 3 strips of 6 colored blocks sewn together, 5 strips of 2 colored blocks, and 7 strips of 2 black blocks.

Sewing your rows:

• 1st Row: 1 of 2 black block strips, 1 individual pink, 2 of 2 black block strips, an individual pink, and finally 1 of the 2 black blocks.
• 2nd Row: 1 2 black block, 1 individual black,  1 individual pink block, 1 2 black block, 1 individual pink, 1 2 black block, and 1 individual black.
• 3rd Row: 1 2 black block, 1 6 pink blocks, 1 2 black block.
• 4th Row: I individual Black, 1 2 pink, 1 individual Black, 1 2 pink, 1 individual Black, 1 2 pink, 1 individual black.
• 5th Row: I 6 pink, 2 2 pink.
• 6th Row: 1 individual pink, 1 individual black, 1  6 pink, 1 individual black, 1 individual pink
• 7th Row: 1 Individual pink, 1 individual black, 1 individual pink, 2 2B, 1 individual pink, 1 individual black, 1 individual pink.
• 8th Row: 1 individual pink, 1 2B, 1 individual pink,  1 2B, 1 individual pink, 1 2B, 1 individual pink.

Sewing your rows together

• First you need to iron your seams.  Iron the back of your sewed row, making sure that the seams are all ironed in the same direction.
• It doesn't really matter which way you iron the seams because they are symmetrical.  Make sure to iron the back and the front.
• Take your first row and your second row.  Put the front sides facing each other.
• Line up the seams (You should have one seam facing one way and the other seam facing the other way in order to make lining up the seams easier.)
• Pin your fabric. I like to put a pin at each place where seams meet.  This will help the squares to line up.  If you don't pin it, the fabric can slide and make your seams off.  I am NOT perfect at his.
• Sew the pieces together using the 1/4 in seam allowance.
• Iron the seam flat on the back first and then on the front.
• Take the 3rd row and sew it to the 2nd row following the same guidelines.  Follow for all 8 rows.

Border for Pink Invader:

• 1st measure the long side of your square.  It should be 14 in.  If it is something else, then change the length of your borders pieces.
• Using your black fabric, cut 4 border pieces of 14 in x 2 in. (Unless your block turned out a different size)
• Sew the borders onto the long sides first.
• Measure the short sides of the block.  It should be 14 in, now that you have added the border piece to the long side.  If it isn't then change your measurements.
• Sew the border onto the short sides.
• Iron everything.

Repeat these guidelines two more times, so you have a total of 3 pink invaders when you are finished.  You need to make sure that all 3 finished blocks are the same height.  Measure them to each other and trim any that are a different size.  Width will matter when compared with the other two colored invaders.

Cutting

• Take your ironed orange fabric and cut 2 strips 2 inches wide.
• Now you can cut 35 2x2 in. squares OR if you are used to quilting you could cut 3 strips 14x2 inches, 2 strips 8x 2 inches, and 6 individual squares of 2x2.
• Take your black fabric and cut 2 strips 2 inches wide.
• Now you can cut 28 2x2 in. squares OR 3 strips 8x2 inches, 2 strips of 8x2 and 8 individual black 2x2 squares. (This can be done in different groups of squares.)

NOTE: This block ONLY requires 63 2x2 in. squares (35 colored and 28 black).

• If you want it to be the exact same as the other two you can add an extra row down the middle and another black row along the bottom. 
• I didn't add another row because I thought the eyes would look wrong.
• Do NOT add the extra row to the end or beginning of the block as it will then be off centered in relation to the other invaders.
• I make up the difference in the size of the block, when I make the border.  If you add a row anywhere you will then need to use the border dimensions found with the green and pink blocks.

Sewing

• When sewing for this quilt I have used the 1/4in seam allowance used my most quilters.
• Each block consists of 7 rows, with each row consisting of 9 2x2in squares.
• If you look at the picture attached of my drawing on graph paper, you can see what order you need to sew in.  The colored fabric is colored in with pencil.

Individual Squares Details: If you chose to cut the squares all individually these are your instructions.

•  For the 1st row, if you are doing individual squares you would sew 3 blacks together, then 3 orange, and then 3 blacks.
• The 2nd row would be 1 black, 7 orange, and 1 black.
• The 3rd row is 2O, 2B, 1O, 2B 2O.
• The 4th row is 9O
• The 5th row is 2B, 2O, 1B, 2O, 2B.
• The 6th row is 1B, 1O, 1B, 3O, 1B, 1O, 1B
• The 7th row is 1O, 7B, 1O

If you cut strips earlier these are your instructions:

• Take your 3 14x2in colored fabric strips and sew the 14 in sides together.
• Then take your 2 8in  colored fabric strips and sew them together on the 8 in side.
• Take your 3 8in black strips and sew them together on the 8 in side.
• Then take your 2 8in black strips and sew them together.
• NOW take your sewed rows and cut them into 2in segments (you are cutting perpendicular to the seam, so that when you are done you will have groups of squares sewn together.)  When you are done cutting you should have 7 strips of 3 colored blocks sewn together, 4 strips of 2 colored blocks, 4 strips of 3 black blocks, and 4 strips of 2 black blocks.

 Sewing your rows:

• 1st Row: 1 3Black strip, 1 3Orange strip, 1 3Black strip.
• 2nd Row: 1 individual B, 2 3O, 1 individual O, 1 individual B
• 3rd Row: 1 2O, 1 2B, 1 individual O, 1 2B, 1 2O
• 4th Row: 3 3O
• 5th Row: 1 2B, 1 2O, 1 individual B, 1 2O, 1 2B
• 6th Row: 1 individual B, 1 individual O, 1 individual B, 1 3O, 1 individual B, 1 individual O, 1 individual B
• 7th Row: 1 individual O, 2 3B, 1 individual B, 1 individual O

Sewing your rows together

• First you need to iron your seams.  Iron the back of your sewed row, making sure that the seams are all ironed in the same direction.
• It doesn't really matter which way you iron the seams because they are symmetrical.  Make sure to iron the back and the front.
• Take your first row and your second row.  Put the front sides facing each other.
• Line up the seams (You should have one seam facing one way and the other seam facing the other way in order to make lining up the seams easier.)
• Pin your fabric. I like to put a pin at each place where seams meet.  This will help the squares to line up.  If you don't pin it, the fabric can slide and make your seams off.  I am NOT perfect at his.
• Sew the pieces together using the 1/4 in seam allowance.
• Iron the seam flat on the back first and then on the front.
• Take the 3rd row and sew it to the 2nd row following the same guidelines.  Follow for all 7 rows.

Border for Orange Invader:

• 1st measure the long side of your square.  It should be 13 in.  If it is something else, then change the length of your borders pieces.
• Using your black fabric, cut 2 border pieces of 13 in x 2 3/4in. (Unless your block turned out a different size.  I messed around with this a lot.  Feel free to make it only 2 in.)
• Sew the borders onto the long sides first.
• Now cut 2 border pieces of 14 x 2 1/2in. (Unless your block is now a different size.)
• Sew these pieces onto the remaining sides.
• Iron everything.

NOTE: I only made one of these.  I have one orange invader exploding and another block that is empty.  You can make 3 or 2.  Play around with it and decide what you want your quilt to look like.

Cutting

• Take your ironed orange fabric and cut 2 strips 2 inches wide.
• Now you can cut 23 2x2 in. squares OR if you are used to quilting you could cut 4 strips 4x2 inches, and 15 individual squares of 2x2.
• Take your black fabric and cut 2 strips 2 inches wide.
• Now you can cut 40 2x2 in. squares OR 3 strips 12x2 inches, 2 strips of 16x2 and 6 individual black 2x2 squares.

NOTE: This block ONLY requires 63 2x2 in. squares (23 colored and 40 black).

• If you want it to be the exact same as the other two you can add an extra row down the middle and another black row along the bottom. 
• I didn't add another row because I thought the middle would look wrong.
• Do NOT add the extra row to the end or beginning of the block as it will then be off centered in relation to the other invaders.
• I make up the difference in the size of the block, when I make the border.  If you add a row anywhere you will then need to use the border dimensions found with the green and pink blocks.

Sewing

• When sewing for this quilt I have used the 1/4in seam allowance used my most quilters.
• Each block consists of 7 rows, with each row consisting of 9 2x2in squares.
• If you look at the picture attached of my drawing on graph paper, you can see what order you need to sew in.  The colored fabric is colored in with pencil.

Individual Squares Details: If you chose to cut the squares all individually these are your instructions.

•  For the 1st row, 1B, 1O, 2B, 1O, 2B, 1O, 1B
• The 2nd row would be 2B, 1O, 3B, 1O, 2B
• The 3rd row is 3B, 1O, 1B, 1O, 3B
• The 4th row is 9O
• The 5th row is 3B, 1O, 1B, 1O, 3B
• The 6th row is 2B, 1O, 3B, 1O, 2B
• The 7th row is 1B, 1O, 2B, 1O, 2B, 1O, 1B

If you cut strips earlier these are your instructions:

• Take your 4 4x2in colored fabric strips and sew the 4 in sides together.
• Take your 3 12in black strips and sew them together on the 12 in side.
• Then take your 2 16in black strips and sew them together.
• NOW take your sewed rows and cut them into 2in segments (you are cutting perpendicular to the seam, so that when you are done you will have groups of squares sewn together.)  When you are done cutting you should have 2 strips of 4 colored blocks sewn together, 6 strips of 3 black blocks, and 8 strips of 2 black blocks.

 Sewing your rows:

• 1st Row: 1 individual B, 1 individual O, 1 2B, 1 individual O, 1 2B, 1 individual O, 1 individual B
• 2nd Row: 1 2B, 1 individual O, 1 3B, 1 individual O, 1 2B
• 3rd Row:  1 3B, 1 individual O, 1 individual B, 1 individual O, 1 3B
• 4th Row: 2 4O, 1 individual O
• 5th Row: 1 3B, 1 individual O, 1 individual B, 1 individual O, 1 3B
• 6th Row: 1 2B, 1 individual O, 1 3B, 1 individual O, 1 2B
• 7th Row: 1 individual B, 1 individual O, 1 2B, 1 individual O, 1 2B, 1 individual O, 1 individual B

Sewing your rows together

• First you need to iron your seams.  Iron the back of your sewed row, making sure that the seams are all ironed in the same direction.
• It doesn't really matter which way you iron the seams because they are symmetrical.  Make sure to iron the back and the front.
• Take your first row and your second row.  Put the front sides facing each other.
• Line up the seams (You should have one seam facing one way and the other seam facing the other way in order to make lining up the seams easier.)
• Pin your fabric. I like to put a pin at each place where seams meet.  This will help the squares to line up.  If you don't pin it, the fabric can slide and make your seams off.  I am NOT perfect at his.
• Sew the pieces together using the 1/4 in seam allowance.
• Iron the seam flat on the back first and then on the front.
• Take the 3rd row and sew it to the 2nd row following the same guidelines.  Follow for all 7 rows.

Border for Orange Invader:

• 1st measure the long side of your square.  It should be 13 in.  If it is something else, then change the length of your borders pieces.
• Using your black fabric, cut 2 border pieces of 13 in x 2 3/4in. (Unless your block turned out a different size.  I messed around with this a lot.  Feel free to make it only 2 in.)
• Sew the borders onto the long sides first.
• Now cut 2 border pieces of 14 x 2 1/2in. (Unless your block is now a different size.)
• Sew these pieces onto the remaining sides.
• Iron everything.

NOTE: I only made one of these.  I have one orange invader exploding and another block that is empty.  You can make 3 or 2.  Play around with it and decide what you want your quilt to look like.

Cutting

• Take your black fabric and cut 3-4 strips 2 inches wide.
• Now you can cut 63 squares OR 7 strips 18x2 inches
• OR If you don't want this to be squares, you could just cut one piece of fabric at 14 x 16 1/2in, which would be with no border OR 13x14in and add a border of 2 strips 13 x 2 3/4in and 2 strips of 14 x 2 1/2in.

NOTE: This block ONLY requires 63 2x2 in. squares (63 black).

• If you want it to be the exact same as the other two you can add an extra row down the middle and another black row along the bottom. 
• I didn't add another row because I wanted it to be similar to my other two.
• I make up the difference in the size of the block, when I make the border.  If you add a row anywhere you will then need to use the border dimensions found with the green and pink blocks.

Sewing

• When sewing for this quilt I have used the 1/4in seam allowance used my most quilters.
• Each block consists of 7 rows, with each row consisting of 9 2x2in squares.

Individual Squares Details: If you chose to cut the squares all individually, simply sew 9 black squares together, 7 times, iron them, then sew those rows together and iron again.

If you cut strips earlier these are your instructions:

• Take your 7 18x2in black fabric strips and sew the 18 in sides together.
• NOW take your sewed rows and cut them into 2in segments (you are cutting perpendicular to the seam, so that when you are done you will have groups of squares sewn together.)  When you are done cutting you should have 9 strips of 7 squares.
• Iron them
• Sew those 9 strips together.
• Iron again

Border for Empty Spage

• 1st measure the long side of your square.  It should be 13 in.  If it is something else, then change the length of your borders pieces.
• Using your black fabric, cut 2 border pieces of 13 in x 2 3/4in. (Unless your block turned out a different size.  I messed around with this a lot.  Feel free to make it only 2 in.)
• Sew the borders onto the long sides first.
• Now cut 2 border pieces of 14 x 2 1/2in. (Unless your block is now a different size.)
• Sew these pieces onto the remaining sides.
• Iron everything.

NOTE: I only made one of these.  I have one orange invader exploding and another block that is empty.  You can make 3 or 2.  Play around with it and decide what you want your quilt to look like.

1. At this point I think it is easiest to pin the squares on a flat sheet. You need to decide what order you want the squares in.  I chose green top, pink middle, and orange bottom because when I was looking at the old game, it seemed that this was the order of the different style of invaders.  You can do whatever you like.  It is your quilt.
2. Then I measure the width of each square and make sure that all the squares in the column are the same width.  It doesn't really matter if each column is slightly longer or shorter than the other as long as all squares in that column are the same width.  If there is a glaring difference in the width of a column then I would cut that column slightly so that it is closer.  If a square is longer than the others, then take a little of each side of the square.  Do NOT just cut of a big chunk from one side or your square will no longer be centered.
3. Then make sure that the squares in a row are the same height as each other. If not, do the same thing as in #2. 

Choose if you want to sew together rows or columns first.  I chose columns.

• Take a green invader and a pink invader.  Pin the squares together with the finished sides in and the side with all the seams facing out, making sure that you line up the seams on the borders.
• Sew the two blocks together.
• Take your black empty block and pin it to the pink invader, making sure that you put the finished sides in and the side with all the seams facing out.
• Sew the pink invader to the black empty square.
• Iron the seams you just created.  You are done with column one!

Repeat with the other two columns.

Final Border:

• I tried a variety of borders, but I finally decided that I like the look of adding more black skull fabric.  You could add a small inner border of colored fabric and then add another colored outer border or a dark outer border.  This is up to you. 
• For my outer black border I cut 2 strips of 49 x 5in. and 2 strips of 50 x 5in.
• Sew the 49in strips on first.  They should attach with the long side.
• Then sew the 50 in. strips on.
• Once again, if for some reason your quilt isn't 49 x 41in after you sew the blocks together, then cut your borders to whatever the quilt length ended up to be.

This is the stage that I am the least qualified to say anything about.  In fact, many people pay someone else to do this step for them.  If you are intimidated by trying to sew the quilt top onto the batting and the back fabric, there is probably someone in your area that does this for people.  If you live in an area that does not have anyone or you are brave enough to do it yourself then keep reading.

1. Choose a back fabric.  My husband wanted the black skull fabric for the back as well as the front.  I also had a cool flannel fabric I could have used.  It's up to you what you use, but soft fabric is nice as this is the side that you will usually have on your lap.
2. Cut your fabric a few inches bigger than your quilt top.
3. Choose if you are going to put something in between the top and bottom.  I can't find batting here, so I put 2 layers of an extra fabric I had.  This also needs to be cut a few inches bigger than your quilt top.
4. The way I put these together is to tape the bottom fabric to the floor (I have marble floors.  If you have carpet you can pin it to the carpet.  If you have a big enough table you can also tape it to the table.)
5. Then I lay the middle fabric on top of the back and tape it to the back fabric.
6. Then lay the quilt top on top with the beautiful side facing up. 
7. You need special pins to pin the whole thing together, but if you are like me and can't find any on hand then you can use regular pins to pin the top, middle, and bottom together.  You don't want the layers shifting, so make sure you pin it ALOT.  BTW be ready to get poked a lot when you quilt it unless you use the special pins. 
8. When you quilt you need to choose how you are going to do this.  I just used the regular stitch on my machine and stitched around each design, but you can choose one of your design stitches and stitch all over the piece.  It is totally up to you.
9. If you do not know how to quilt then I suggest you watch a tutorial online or get a book.  I used both when learning how to do this stage and I still think that I did a bad job.  This stage is really difficult for me, especially since I don't have a long arm sewing machine or the special running foot on my machine.

NOTE: This stage has many things to learn that I should not be the one to teach you.  Make sure to look up how to do it properly or have someone else do it for you.

1. Trim the excess back and inside fabric so that it matches the size of the quilt top.
2. Choose a fabric that you would like to use for binding the edge of your quilt.  I used the pink fabric.  If you used a colored border the black would look great.  I think I would have liked the green better, but hindsight is 20/20.
3. Cut 2 pieces of your binding fabric around 60 in x 2 1/4 in each.  Your binding fabric needs to be about 1/2-1in longer on each side than the length of your quilt.  If you do not have a piece that long, you can cut 2 pieces and put them together. (there is an exact way to put them together.  If you do not know how, then make sure to find a tutorial on how to properly do this.  It is easy, but you need to do it right so that they stitches don't pull apart over time.)
4. Take your long strip of fabric and fold wrong sides together and iron lengthwise.
5. On the top edge of the front of the quilt, line up the unfinished edges of the binding fabric with the edge of the quilt.  Remember to let the extra 1/2-1 extend over the ends on both sides of the quilt.  Pin the binding fabric to the quilt and then sew the binding to the quilt.
6. Do step 5 for a piece on the top and a piece on the bottom.
7. Flip the finished edge of the binding over the unfinished edge of the quilt and use a slipstitch to sew the binding on the back of the quilt.  Once you sew the entire length of the quilt, you can snip off the excess ends of the binding.
8. Now cut 2 more strips of binding measure to the last two unfinished sides of the quilt, making sure to remember the 1/2in-1in. excess.
9. Repeat steps 4-7 except that for the beginning and ending of these pieces you need to fold the extra 1/2in under the finished edge.

NOTE: I had real trouble figuring out how to properly do the slipstitch.  I watched a tutorial and just experimented until I figured out how to do it and I still make mistakes.  It is okay to not be perfect.

Once the binding is done, you are finished!  Enjoy!