Valerie Ann

I do not enjoy hand sewing. So, when it comes to sewing the binding from the back to the front of the quilt, I would rather use the sewing machine--and that's my problem. I have tried clips, gluing prior to sewing, but I just can't get the line straight on the front. Any Help? Any Tips? What am I doing wrong?

faykilgore

I'm no help. I even bought a fancy foot with a metal guide. I finish them by hand if I want to be happy with the result. Ironing the binding over the edge first seemed to help a little.

mighty

No help here sorry! I hand so also.

Earleen

I have used a decorative stitch one that goes on the binding and the quilt. It catches both pieces and ads decoration to the quilt.

Tartan

I like to use Charisma's method of Quick machine binding with flange. She did a tutorial for QB and you sew 2 binding strips together, fold in half and sew It o the back. When you bring the binding over to the front to machine sew it, you have the flange as a guide. If you match your thread to the flange colour it turns out really nice.

katier825

Are you stitching the binding to the front or the back first? If you stitch it to the back, then bring it around to the front you will have better results because you can see where you are going. I try to have a little more fabric come around to the front, then when I stitch, it's pretty close to the binding in the back. I match the bobbin thread to the back of the quilt. Most people will be looking more closely to the front than the back. Decorative stitching can help if you feel more confident. I recommend practicing with scraps to gain confidence in it!

Zyngawf

That's what I was thinking. If you are machine sewing it you have to do it the opposite way and then top stitch the binding in place on the front rather than slip stitch it on the back. If it isn't completely straight on the back no one cares or notices. This is how I do it and I think it would be impossible any other way. Valerie is this the problem?

peacebypiece

Valerie Ann: Have you tried sewing it slowly? I mean really slow. A slower speed will enable you to "steer your quilt better to keep the stitching where it needs to be. Also, try to stop obsessing about a straight line. Most people don't deliberately look for crooked stitching. Even if you know where there is a mistake, don't point it out to people. According to a local quilting instructor I do lots of things incorrectly on my quilts, but my friends don't know that. They only see the finished quilt they get and think it's beautiful.

Valerie Ann

I stitch the back first and then bring it to the front. I so appreciate the advice you are all giving.

Lori S

One trick I use wether I bring the binding to the front or the back to machine stitch is I use fusible web to iron it into place. I bring the binding just a few threads past the stitching line and stitch. You can buy fusible web cut into 1/4 inch on a roll at Jo'anns. Its faster and neater than glue.
Also consider buying an edge stitching foot for you machine , one that has a opening for the needle that you can adjust. Place the guide on the foot at the edge of the binding you just fused or glued, move the needle to where you want to stitching line to fall. Buying an edge sttiching foot was one of the best purchases I made ... I use it for all kinds of stuff where I want a perfect straight stitch to fall on the edge of the fabric.