I am making a quilt for children in the hospital. We were instructed to attach the binding with the sewing machine rather than by hand. I have only done the backside by hand. Can someone give directions about the best way to attach it by machine, so that it can endure lots of washing? I have a number of speciality stiches but so not know which is best for this purpose.

Thanks so much!

Sew the binding to the back of the quilt. Then bring the binding to the front and sew down. A herringbone stitch works well, as does a buttonhole stitch.

I do all my charity quilts and any gift quilts that are made for children by machine, since I know they will be well used.

Sew the binding to the back of the quilt. Then bring the binding to the front and sew down. A herringbone stitch works well, as does a buttonhole stitch.

I do all my charity quilts and any gift quilts that are made for children by machine, since I know they will be well used.

I use a decorative stitch or blanket stitch to sew the binding down on the front.

Make sure you sew close to or right on the edges, they don't want a "lip" there to catch on IV lines or other things :D:D:D

i sew my binding to the front, then glue baste it to the back, and finally stitch in the ditch from the front to machine stitch the binding on the backside.

If you're doing quilts for the Quilts for Kids organization, they usually request that you fold over the backing to make the binding and machine sew. If you are using one of their kits there is usually sufficient fabric for this process. I, too, usually use a decorative stitch. Works well.

These Youtube videos by Leah Day are my favorite for machine binding:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related

I usually sew to the back first and then just top stitch as close to the edge as I can get it on the front. I have also used some of my fancy stitches on the front--rabbits, hearts, dogs, flowers--but those take too long for my limited patience. I was getting used to my machine & trying different things back then. Now I'm a pedal to the metal girl--LOL!

Thanks everyone. Your comments have been really helpful and the videos are wonderful!

i sew mine on the front as usual and then fold binding to the back and pin with straight pins through the front/top right in the stitching, placing the pins vertically next to the binding. catching the binding on the back with the pins. then i machine quilt on the front right in the stitching line next to the binding. this catches the binding on the back well. i pin the mitered corners carefully, removing the pins as i get close. usually catch the corners 98 percent of the time. if need be, i hand stitch those down.