I have read through the arthritis thread and picked up some good pointers. I know the post was more for people with arthritis in the hands. I have it in my right shoulder. This is really painful and it hurts into my neck and down my arm to the elbow.

Anyway, someone mentioned binding their quilts by machine, how do you do it. I do not have a zigzag fancy stitch machine.

Inquiring minds want to know.
JulieM

I just did a queen quilts binding by machine. I don't hand sew at all and I usually fold my backing fabric to the front for my binding but that was not working with this quilt, it was causing too much bulk. I sewed the front and back at the same time and I came out nice. I think you could use a straight stitch for this. I just made sure I had it pinned really good and that the front and back of the binding were even.

Hi Julie, just attach raw side of binding to the back first and then roll it to the front and stitch, no need for a fancy stitch just make sure you catch it all. Clear as mud I'm sure.

Here is a YouTube that might help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jw0E...eature=related

Thank you for sharing that link. This will be great.

First thing I do is decide width of binding needed. Then press in half. Stitch raw edge to raw edge of quilt on back side. Next turn binding to front of quilt and machine stitch. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if I can be more help.

Listen to your body with Arthritis, it will tell you how much is enough. If you feel like doing something to it if not don't do it.

Check Arthritis Fountation for more info.

I sew the binding on the front, then after pressing it around the edge , I stitch in the ditch from the front. Looks great. I do need to pick up some invisible thread because I'm crossing too many colors on the one on the machine right now. I hope invisible thread has improved in last 20 years.

I sew my binding on the front by machine. Then I press it. I then turn it over and use Elmer's school glue or a washable glue stick and carefully press it again. The glue acts as a temporary bonding agent. When pressing to the back i can make it go just over the seam line from sewing on the front. Note: I do cut my binding about 1/8 to 1/4 inch wider than others do for my comfort.

Now, it is ready to sew by machine with one of my pretty stiitches. I do sew from the front, however, so I can see how I like it.

I have since learned that by using silk thread, and if I want to take the time, I can hand sew it to the back. If my hands hurt ... I use the machine or wait til they are better.

Usually, I machine sew.

I also use an Alto's Quick Cut 2 for cutting as it is much easier with my arthritis and the ruler NEVER SLIPS!!!

Hope this helps.

PM me if you want more help, please.

ali

Irishrose, invisible thread has improved. It is now quite useable but I still hate it! After all of my hard work, machine quilting, I want to be able to see the thread. You don't need fancy stitches to machine stitch binding. Stitch it to the back, roll it to the front and machine stitch close to the edge using matching thread. On the back you may see a row of stitching that looks like stitch in the ditch but who cares? I haven't had anyone even mention my machine stitched binding. They are too busy admiring the colour or design. Unless they are a quilter, they think that is the way it is suppose to be.

I try to use polyester invisible thread rather than nylon. It seems softer and won't melt with an iron (well it could but not as easily as nylon).