My binding is horrible, I have been trying so many different ways, and it just never looks the way I want it to...could someone tell me, or show me the quickest easiest way to do a neat simple binding...?? Pretty please lol

For binding, try this link. I used to hate to do bindings, but since learning this way, I can't wait.

http://sharonschambernetwork.com/fre...gel/index.html

Thanks for the link. That is some NICE binding.

Thank you, I was actualy looking at that page before I posted this. What I'm really looking for is a cheaters way, maybe cut out a few steps..less work..I know how important the binding is, I just wish there was an easier less time consuming way.

you can always add binding to the sides, folding the ends under. stitch. then add binding to the top and bottom, folding ends under. no miters to do that way and it's just another way. I've done it on some quilts. just cut binding (I do 2 1/2 inch strips) a bit longer than the quilt side measurement. fold raw edges together, place along the edge of the quilt, pin in place, stitch (folding ends under) then fold to the back and hand sticth down or by machine. if by machine, pin from the front along the seam line catching the binding in the back.
then do the top and bottom binding.

This is the same thing really, just not as involved. I would use the first method if it was a really special quilt but probably not for an everyday one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buCKs-Fgvb4

Ricky Tims does a very nice binding, all done by machine, which seems to me is an easy way to get it done. The only place I've seen it demo'd is on his DVD: Grand Finale.

I just put on binding yesterday and I follow Sharon Schamber's method for the most part. Check out sharon's website and look for the free video.

I do not use any of the glue steps she uses, however, I do starch the strips and press firmly in half.

Sharon's method really gives the perfect mitered corner.

When you first learn to do it right, it may take a little longer, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be zipping along.

When I do a fancier quilt, I sew the binding to the front and stitch it by hand on the back.
When I do a playful or utilitarian quilt, I sew the binding to the back of the quilt, pull the binding to the front, clip it to hold and machine sew it down using a decorative stitch. That is such a time-saver and it adds another touch of whimsy.

great links. thanks for posting

google Quick and Easy mitred binding tool....it is a yellowish color. This tool was developed and patented by the owner of my LQS, Sew
Biz in Marion IN. It takes all the hassle out of doing a nicely mitred corner on your binding and it is so very easy to use. I use it all the time.

straight binding, here is what i meant. not great pics though
http://home.howstuffworks.com/binding-quilts.htm

I plan to try this method for my next binding. It is an "invisible" way of doing binding that eliminates the hand sewing step.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw

(There's a part 2 to this video that will come up when you finish part 1.)

I am not a fan of binding either - thanks for the great links !!

next time, just cut the backing larger and wrap it around to the front and either blindstitch or machine stitch carefully. easy as it gets.

Thank you butterfly, that is what I've done with a couple of projects, and it seemed to turn out rather well..but most quilters don't consider this offical binding...which is why I've been trying out, and looking for easy ways to do it. :)

It is listed as one method in my quilting books. Granted, if the quilt gets a lot of use, the single layer binding may ravel, and since it is part of the backing, you can't simply replace it. HOWEVER, it is binding.

I think it is great that you are branching out. You'll be so proud of yourself once you master that disliked chore.

jaime


it's a perfectly acceptable method and many quilters use it from time to time.

If you cut it large enough, you will be able to catch it folded so the binding is double thickness. I call this edging, not binding, but call it what you will, it works to hold a quilt together quite nicely. Also, machine stitching holds nice and tightly, goes faster and looks just fine.

I saw a quilt done with no binding at all. The layers were sewn together inside out, with the front and back right sides together. A small section was left open, the quilt was turned and the open section hand-sewed together. It made an interesting look because the quilt went right to the edge. If I tried this, I would top sew the edge.

I tried several different ways to avoid using pins and like the Elmers glue the best.
You dont need to remove the quilt when you sew to the 1/4 inch in the corners if you just back stitch off then pull the quilt out enough to fold the binding over then just continue sewing the binding on. That is how Eleanor Burns does it.
You can also use a zig zag stitch to sew the back side down.

martina, when the edge gets thin, you can then release the top stitching, trim away the backing until it's even with the quilt edges and bind the usual way. i works really well.

Holy crap, Batman! What a lot of work she goes to in that video! I guess the proof is in the pudding, because her binding is beautiful, but I would never go to that much work on my everyday quilts. I might use some of her pressing and gluing methods, though.

I think Leah Day's Utube video at the below website is the best tutorial I've seen on how to apply quilt binding. I recommend it to all my quilting friends and everyone loves it. You should be able to copy & paste it into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw

Ask your LQS to order "The Ultimate Binding Guide!" from Pieced Tree Patterns, 1-877-985-2438, 109 North Clark, Forest City, IA 50436. Or the distributor they use. It is the best I have seen and it has pictures and good instructions. It's a laminated 1 page, front and back, easy to use. Jan in KS

Why take the quilt off and cut the thread? Too much work for the corners.
You dont need to do that.

The video was great! I'm going to buy some Elmer's because I love that it can heat set the binding and eliminate the need for binding clips. I love to do binding and have worked at it until I finally feel like I've perfected it. I love to see how others do their binding because I always learn from it. Thanks!

I'vebeen doing the self binding method for years on fast quilts. My grandmother taught me how to do it and she learned as a young girl. I found a blog that has a tutorial how to do it. It's much easier to link to that then try to explain it. :D

http://piecenquilt.blogspot.com/2009...-tutorial.html

I just started using the flat metal clips (look like hair clips). They hold the binding real tight and are easy to remove.

If it had teeth, it would have bit me on the nose. Why didn't I think of that?

This is my favorite video on how to do binding by machine....

Binding tips from Elisa Wilson at QuiltersTV.com

http://www.quilterstv.com/?bcpid=133...s_&_techniques

altho this past weekend I saw 'Sewing with Nancy' and she did it just about the same except cut the ends of her binding and it turned out great but without being able to watch it again, I'm afraid to try it from 'memory', LOL

If you have never been to quilterstv.com, they have fabulous videos to watch for free....lots of them, and many with known quilt artists.

warm quilt hugs, sue

Do what works best for you Jamie, and don't give a second thought about the way other quilters do theirs. I often use Butterfly's method of just making the back larger and making this into a binding. It's perfectly good for family type quilts, baby quilts, tv quilts. If you plan on doing show quality then of course the binding will have to be done in a more traditional manner. But, quilting should make you happy, not stressed, so do what works best for you. :)

Wow, that video shows some really nice binding. thanks for posting the link.