Melanie Rudy

I always use a 2 1/2" binding, folded in half. This requires a 3/8" seam allowance for a perfect fitting binding. I am fortunate to have a machine foot that is exactly the right size to achieve this. Using a left needle position with a 1/4" foot will also make a 3/8" seam. By the way, your binding looks good.

JENNR8R

I use Sharon Schamber's method. I watch this YouTube video every time I bind a quilt. I skip gluing down the back because I have trouble sewing it down by hand after it has been glued. Otherwise, I follow her instructions using 2.5" binding strips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2hW...eature=related

Macybaby

I've always pressed my binding in half - and then sometimes had "issues" with it - but it never dawned on me just to NOT DO THAT - LOL!!!

Since I'm rather new to quilting, I was use to doing binding without the double thickness- so then the pressed line was not an issue, but there were other problems doing that on the quilt. Then I figured out I was suppose to sew it double, and that worked better but then the ironed fold was sometimes not to my liking.

I've got a table runner waiting for a binding, now I'm excited to try it without ironing and see how that goes - and that says a lot because I NEVER look forward to doing the binding.

citruscountyquilter

I never iron my binding in half. I sew the binding on with a machine on the front and then roll it to the back and hand stitch. I find it much easier to hand stitch if it hasn't been ironed with a sharp crease. My stitches do not show and with a sharp crease it is much harder to run your needle through without the stitch showing.

I usually don't have patchwork next to my binding (usually a border) so I don't have to be true to 1/4" seam allowance. My the edge of my walking foot is 3/8" so that's what I use with a 2 1/2" binding fabric. If I use 1/4" seam allowance then I use 2 1/4" binding fabric. To miter the corner I just stop 3/8" instead of 1/4" but otherwise proceed as usual.

Before I put on the binding I stitch very close to the edge all the way around my quilt and then trim the excess batting and backing away. I also square my quilt at this point although that is usually only minimal adjustment because of the way I have measured and put on my borders. The stitching gives the edge some stability and it's one less thing I have to worry about when putting on the binding that all the layers are even.

I piece my bindings using a bias seam. This reduces bulk and makes the seam almost invisible. I audition the binding roughly before sewing it on to make sure seams do not come in corners.

I have never had much luck making bindings that are machine sewn on both sides look very neat. I like hand sewing so I don't mind that part of it.

trolleystation

If all else fails you can 'fill' your binding with thin strips of batting. Many times if part of the pattern will be lost by sewing a wider seam, I simply fill the binding as I go and the result is a firm binding. I hope that I have explained this well enough. If not send me a pm.

annette1952

Thank you for all of these good tips. I'll be trying some today for sure. I need to improve on my binding so this is just what I need

Jingle

I always press my bindings in half. Always works for me. I have made many, many quilts.
Never just one way to do anything.

Donnamarie

I always sew the binding on about 1/3 of the way in. If you think about it, one third sewn down, 1/3 on one side, and the other third around to the other side. After sewing the binding to the quilt, I always press the binding away from the quilt, before folding over. By doing this, your binding will be filled with batting. I always sew the binding on the back and bring it over to the front and machine sew it down (covering the stitch line). Comes out perfect every time. Give it a try, I think you will be much happier doing it this way.

RST

So for those who never press their binding in half -- are you still stitching through two layers of the binding for the classic double binding? Or are you advocating a single layer binding?

I'm having a hard time envisioning what the benefits are, but then, I don't generally have any trouble with my current method (I'm another who uses 2 1/4 inch strips, miter pieced, folded and pressed in half and stitched with a walking foot.)

madamekelly

I had the same problem on all my early quilts until I figured out that if I cut the binding 2 1/4" instead of 2 1/2" would work for me. Not sure why, but my bindings are always full now. Might work for you?