Eleanor Burns did a show on machine quilting and finishing quilts. The method she used for the binding was to cut her binding strip 3 inches wide, press in half, lay it on the front as we usually do and stitch it in place mitering the corners and such. She left a little of the batting (about 1/16 to 1/8 inch) beyond the edge and then turned the binding to the back. On the back she placed a strip of fusible thread on the stitching line and fused the back binding to this thread. She then turned the quilt to the front and with invisible thread on the top and thread to match the binding in the bobbin, stitched in the ditch with a straight stitch. She says she would never find time to finish any of her quilts if she had to sew the binding by hand.

I machine all my binding by machine. Happy with the results

I took one of Eddie's ideas and use a decorative stitch to finish mine. It looks so pretty.

Just read this tute tonight and can't wait to try it

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-47705-1.htm#1104220

I am a little confused...I have not heard of fusible thread? Did you mean fusing with something like that narrow seam stuff (the name escapes me right now)?

Yes, please give us more info! I wish my binding turned out a little more straight...this sounds promising!

It's an actual thread, that actually melts and secures the binding in place so that it doesn't move while you machine your binding. You have to sew the binding after you iron it, ask me how I know. It does not hold for long without stitching.

Thank you! I've got all my binding cut, pieced, folded and pressed! This is a very timely post! I might even have my quilt on my bed tonight!

I will have to ask about it the next time I am visiting the LQS. It sounds like something I would like to try. Thanks for the clarification!

See the above post by sewbeeit42. It's pretty easy to imagine how it works if you've ever done binding the normal way and finished it by hand stitching.