Abstract:
A quilt holding clamp for securing a quilt and finishing bias to eliminate the need for pining when attaching the finishing bias to the unfinished edge of the quilt. The clamp includes a top clamp member having a “J”-shaped forward end for elevating a folded end of the finishing bias above the quilt. A bottom clamp member is provided with a “L”-shaped forward end. A “U”-shaped spring biases the “J”-shaped forward end and the “L”-shaped forward end together. The “L”-shaped forward end provides a recess for recessing multiple layers of the folded finishing bias.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to sewing aids and, more particularly, to a quilt holding clamp for aiding in the sewing of the finishing bias about the unfinished edges of a quilt. 
   2. General Background 
   Quilting is a past time enjoyed by many women young and old. Some women belong to quilting clubs where several women meet together to form quilts. Quilts are very popular for covering beds and throws over the back of sofas or other furniture. 
   While finishing bias for quilts can be sewn completely by machine, there are still many who prefer to hand stitch the folded end of the finishing bias to the quilt. One of the disadvantages of sewing the finishing bias is the need to pin the looped over finishing bias in place over the quilt. Pinning is tedious and time consuming. Since many older women quilt, arthritis can be a deterrent from quilting because of the need to pin the finishing bias. 
   As will be seen more fully below, the present invention is substantially different in structure, methodology and approach from that of other sewing aids. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The preferred embodiment of quilt holding clamp of the present invention solves the aforementioned problems in a straight forward and simple manner. 
   Broadly, the present invention contemplates a quilt holding clamp for securing a quilt and finishing bias for said quilt comprising: a top clamp member having a “J”-shaped forward end for elevating a folded end of said finishing bias above said quilt and a back end; a bottom clamp member a forward end and a back end; and, a “U”-shaped spring biased to close together, about said quilt, said “J”-shaped forward end and said forward end of said bottom clamp member. 
   The present invention further contemplates a method of attaching a finishing bias to an unfinished edge of a quilt using a quilt holding clamp comprising the steps of: sewing the folded in half finishing bias to a first side of the quilt to create a seam and to attach a unfinished end of the finishing bias to the quilt; aligning the seam in a recess of a bottom clamp member of the quilt holding clamp wherein the recess is adapted to recess multiple layers of said finishing bias; feeding a folded end of said finishing bias in a channel of a top clamp member of the quilt holding clamp; and, sewing by hand the folded end of the finishing bias to the quilt. 
   In view of the above, a feature of the present invention is to provide a quilt holding clamp that is relatively easy to use. 
   Another feature of the present invention is to provide a quilt holding clamp that is relatively simple structurally and thus simple to manufacture. 
   A further feature of the present invention is to provide a quilt holding clamp that eliminates the need for pining the folded end of the finishing bias to a quilt. 
   The above and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings, the description given herein, and the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a top plan view of the quilt holding clamp of the present invention holding a quilt and finishing bias; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom plan view of the quilt holding clamp of the present invention holding a quilt and finishing bias; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevational view of the quilt holding clamp of the present invention in a closed clamping position; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevational view of the quilt holding clamp of the present invention showing the opening of the clamp from the closed position; 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a front elevational view along the plane  5 A- 5 A of the embodiment in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a rear elevational view along the plane  5 B- 5 B of the embodiment in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a bottom view of the top clamp member of the quilt holding clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a top view of the top clamp member of the quilt holding clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates a side view of the top clamp member of the quilt holding clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6D  illustrates a front view of the top clamp member of the quilt holding clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6E  illustrates a rear view of the top clamp member of the quilt holding clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a bottom view of the bottom clamp member of the quilt holding clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates a top view of the bottom clamp member of the quilt holding clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates a side view of the bottom clamp member of the quilt holding clamp in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a side perspective view of the quilt holding clamp in accordance with the present invention clamping a quilt and folding the finishing bias; and, 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrates the steps of sewing finishing bias to an unfinished edge of a quilt. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings and in particular  FIGS. 1-4  and  5 A- 5 B, the quilt holding clamp of the present invention is generally referenced by the numeral  10 . The quilt holding clamp  10  comprises, in general, a “U”-shaped spring  20  and a top clamp member  30  and a bottom clamp member  40 . The top clamp member  30  and the bottom clamp member  40  are held in spatial relation from the other via the “U”-shaped spring  20 . 
   The “U”-shaped spring  20  includes a center section  22  having top and bottom parallel slots  22   a  and  22   b  (shown in phantom) formed therein. The center section  22  is made of a thin lightweight but sturdy metal material. Integrally formed with the center section  22  are top and bottom spring members  24  and  26  which project from the top and bottom edges, respectively, of the center section  22 , as best seen in  FIG. 3 . The top and bottom spring members  24  and  26  are generally a flat planar substrate made of metal. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, the “U”-shaped spring  20  is a solid metal piece of material that is bent or curved about elbows A and B wherein the distance between elbows A and B defines the center section  22 . The length of the metal between elbow A and the top free end defines the top spring member  24 . The length of the metal between elbow B and the bottom free end defines the bottom spring member  26 . 
   In operation, the “U”-shaped spring  20  is spring biased to close together the top clamp member  30  and a bottom clamp member  40 , as best seen in  FIG. 3 . The top clamp member  30  is coupled to the underside of the top spring member  24  and journalled through the top slot  22   a . The bottom clamp member  40  is coupled to the top side of the bottom spring member  26  and journalled through the top slot  22   b . The forward end of the top and bottom clamp members  30  and  40  extend through the slots  22   a  and  22   b , respectively. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, the spring biasing is created by the obtuse angle of elbows A and B such that the top spring member  24  and the bottom spring member  26  are not parallel. Instead, the free end of the top spring member  24  and the free end of the bottom spring member  26  flare so that the distance between the two is greater than the forward ends of the top and bottom spring members  24  and  26  coupled to elbows A and B, respectively. Thus, the forward ends of the top and bottom clamp members  30  and  40  are sloped together such that they generally touch. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 4 , applying pressure to the top free end of the top spring member  24  and the bottom free end of the bottom spring member  26  reduces the distance between the free ends of the top and bottom spring members  24  and  26 . As the distance reduces, the forward ends of the top and bottom clamp members  30  and  40  separate from each other. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, the top and bottom clamp members  30  and  40  are adjustably coupled to the top and bottom spring members  24  and  26 . The top spring member  24  has formed therein a channel  25   a  that receives a screw  25   b . The screw  25   b  is adapted to be attached to the top clamp member  30 , as best seen in  FIGS. 6A-6C . Likewise, the bottom spring member  26  has formed therein a channel  27   a  that receives a screw  27   b . The screw  27   b  is adapted to be attached to the bottom clamp member  30 , as best seen in  FIGS. 7A-7C . The details of adjustment will be described in relation to the operation of the quilt holding clamp  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-6E , the top clamp member  30  includes a parallelogram member  32  that has integrally formed therewith a “J”-shaped forward end  34 . The “J”-shaped forward end  34  is wider with than the parallelogram member  32 , as best seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . The parallelogram member  32  is adjustable and fits and slides within the top slot  22   a  of the “U”-shaped clamp  20 . Furthermore, the parallelogram member  32  has formed therein a threaded aperture  36  for receiving the screw  25   b.    
   Tightening the screw  25   b  tightly sandwiches the top clamp member  24  between the screw head and the parallelogram member  32  and secures the top clamp member  30  in place. Loosening the screw  25   b  enables the screw  25   b  to move along the length of channel  25   a . Thereby, the parallelogram member  32  and thus the “J”-shaped forward end  34  can be slid back or forward. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the “J”-shaped forward end  34  includes a top sloped surface  34   a  and a generally flat bottom surface  34   b  that is parallel with the bottom surface of the parallelogram member  32  but not aligned therewith. The “J” shape is created by the formation of a channel  38  formed between the flat bottom surface  34   b  and the bottom surface of the parallelogram member  32 . The channel  38  creates a overhang  37 , between lines  37   a  and  37   b , parallel with the parallelogram member  32  and aligned or integrally formed with the flat bottom surface  34   b . Line  37   a  defines the end of the channel  38  where the fold of the folded end  5   b  of the finishing bias  5  should be slid. Line  37   b  illustrates the end of the overhang  37  and thus end of channel  38 . 
   Channel  38  is adapted to receive therein the folded end  5   b  of the finishing bias  5 . Sliding the “J”-shaped forward end  34  allows the folded end  5   b  of the finishing bias  5  to be moved or slid into the channel  38 . Nevertheless, the folded end  5   b  of the finishing bias  5  can be threaded into the channel  38  without sliding the “J”-shaped forward end  34 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-7C , the bottom clamp member  40  includes a parallelogram member  42  that has a “L”-shaped forward end  44  that is integrally formed therewith. The “L”-shaped forward end  44  is wider with than the parallelogram member  42 , as best seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The parallelogram member  42  is adjustable and fits and slides within the bottom slot  22   b  of the “U”-shaped clamp  20 . Furthermore, the parallelogram member  42  has formed therein a threaded aperture  46  for receiving the screw  27   b.    
   Tightening the screw  27   b  tightly sandwiches the bottom clamp member  26  between the screw head and the parallelogram member  42  and secures the bottom clamp member  40  in place. Loosening the screw  27   b  enables the screw  27   b  to move along the length of channel  27   a . Thereby, the parallelogram member  42  and thus the “L”-shaped forward end  44  can be slid back or forward to adjust for the seamline. 
   The “L”-shaped forward end  44  includes a raised forward area that is flat and aligned with the flat bottom surface  34   b  of the “J”-shaped forward end  34 . The raised forward area is hereinafter referred to as the “flat raised surface  44   a ”. The flat raised surface  44   a  is raised above the plane of the parallelogram member  42  and creates a recess  48  for the receipt of the four (4) layers of finishing bias  5 , as best seen in  FIG. 8 . Moreover, edge defined by line  44   b  creates a seam aligner for adjusting the “L”-shaped forward end  44 . 
   Regarding  FIGS. 9A-9C , the general method of sewing finishing bias  5  to an unfinished edge  3  of quilt  1  is shown. The finishing bias  5  is generally folded evenly in half so that the inside unfinished sides of the finishing bias material are in contact. As best seen in  FIG. 9A , the unfinished ends  5   a  of the folded finishing bias  5  is aligned with the unfinished edge  3  of quilt  1 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9B , the a seam  4  is created when finishing bias  5  is sewn directly to one side of the quilt  1  wherein the unfinished edge  5   a  of the finishing bias  5  aligned with the quilt&#39;s unfinished edge  3 . The folded end  5   b  of the finishing bias  5  can be laid flat on top of the quilt  1  during sewing. The seam width is approximately ⅝ of and inch. Nevertheless, other seam widths can be used as desired. In the exemplary embodiment, the finishing bias  5  is first sewn to the top side of quilt  1 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9C , the remaining finishing bias  5  is looped around the quilt&#39;s unfinished edge  3 . Typically, the seamstress will then pin the looped over finishing bias to the bottom of the quilt  1 . After the pining is complete, the seamstress can sew by hand the looped over finishing bias about the folded end  5   b.    
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the quilt holding clamp  10  eliminates the need to pin the looped over finishing bias  5 . Pinning is tedious and time consuming. Moreover, since many older women quilt, arthritis can be a deterrent from quilting because of the need to pin the finishing bias  5 . 
   In operation, after the seam  4  is sewn ( FIG. 9B ), the edge defined by line  44   b  of the “L”-shaped forward end  44  is aligned with seam  4  by loosening the screw  27   b  and sliding the “L”-shaped forward end  44  into alignment. Thereafter, the screw  27   b  is tightened to secure the “L”-shaped forward end  44 . 
   In view of the foregoing, the recess  48  is adjusted to the length of the seam width including the thickness of the looped over thickness of the finishing bias  5 , as best seen in  FIG. 8 . The length of the recess  48  is adjusted based on the distance between center section  22  and line  44   b  (edge). As seen in  FIG. 8 , four (4) layers of the finishing bias is recessed in recess  48  to minimize bunching or misalignment during operation of the quilt holding clamp  10 . 
   Next, the “J”-shaped forward end  34  and thus the top clamp member  30  is moved forward by loosening screw  25   b  and sliding the top clamp member  30  forward. The folded end  5   b  is pulled forward and oriented as it would normally for pinning to eliminate gaps, bunching, etc. By slightly lifting the folded end  5   b  and moving the “J”-shaped forward end  34  backward, the folded end  5   b  is slid into channel  38 . The “J”-shaped forward end  34  is moved backward until the folded end  5   b  adjacent to, in close proximity to, or touches the forward end of channel  38  at line  37   a . Thus, the folded end  5   b  is elevated above the quilt  1 . 
   The top and bottom clamp members  30  and  40  are made of a lightweight smooth plastic that is adapted to be easily slid along the quilt  1 . In the preferred embodiment, the plastic is slightly transparent to allow the seamstress to observe the alignment of seam  4  along the edge  44   b  and the folded end  5   b  in channel  38 . Preferably, the top and bottom clamp members  30  and  40  automatically oriented to a clamping position as the result of the biasing of the “U”-shaped spring  20 . Nevertheless a tighter hold can be created by holding together the “J”-shaped and “L”-shaped forward ends  34  and  44 , as the quilt holding clamp  10  is slid along the edge of quilt  1 . The tighter hold is needed as the quilt holding clamp  10  is slid along the edge of quilt  1  as a another length of the folded end  5   b  needs to be sewn. 
   Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.