Here is the problem: Binding. I am working on getting the binding on the first quilt top I pieced. I sent it to my DD for quilting and she did a great job. I do not want to distract from it with a boched-up binding. I have read many many topics here on the board. I have watched several tutes on binding. So I was getting ready to cut my binding Sun. and my DW and teacher sugested that I make a practice quilt from some of our scrap fabric Grr now I understand practice, practice practice but I had read everything on the subject, but I know my DW is right. So I make my practice quilt. I cut 2.5 binding strips and sewed them to my PQ from the front side of the quilt. I sewed the coners wrong my fault did not remember the tute correctly. I reread the tute on putting the binding together did real good there. Reread the tute on coners and got that one right. I cut the PQ down and recut some more binding this time I wanted to try different size bindings. I cut one 2.0, one 2.25, and one 2.5. I tried to sew them different was. I tried to use E Burns tute sew on the front side turn the binding to the back and sew from the front in-the-ditch catching the back. Not much luck there missed parts and the coners looked bad. Tried to sew it on the back and turn it over and just catch the edge of the binding but the back looked like a winding road sometimes in the ditch sometime over on the binding not good. All the tutes I have found talk about how to connect the ends and how to make coners but I have found nothing about just keeping everything lined up so it looks good. My best attempt was 2.5 sewing on the back and turning the quilt over and sewing it down on the front. I have read about hand sewing the last side but I do not know if I could do any better I would rather machine sew. Any help or suggestions? I know practice practice.

I have machine stitched my binding from the front. when i turn it to the back, i take straight pins and pin through the front right next to the binding, catching the binding in the back. the pins are put in vertical to the binding, right next to it. i pin the mitered corners with two or three pins. 99 percent of the time my machine stitches catch it all.
good luck, try again. you can do it.

These Youtube videos should help you with keeping everything lined up if you want to completely machine sew binding. Aside from the stitch shown in the video, you might want to try a decorative stitch (such as featherstitch) for the last step.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related

Hm, at the risk of overwhelming you with yet another method, I'm a beginnger and I really like Sharon Schamber's technique for glue-basting bindings. I found her videos here:

http://quiltinggallery.com/2008/05/1...s-school-glue/

Good luck, and if it seems tough then slow down and relax... it's meant to be fun! :D

Use Sharon Schamber's technique. It may take a little longer but it is great.

Salmonsweet is right...have fun! oh, and the last time I was at a big quilt show? I saw MANY lovely quilts...with binding I would not give away in a charity quilt. I think you are not alone in your struggle. Hang in there and after a few quilts, you will find what works for YOU. Maybe look at the LQS? They might have a binding workshop. The links dropped here are great.

thanks for introducing me to this - I'm anxious to try it.

I also vote for Sharon Schamber's technique using glue. It makes it so easy to sew the binding on the back, bring it to the front and run a bead of Elmer's School Glue along the stitching line. Iron the binding down (the iron sets the glue) and then you can use a straight stitch, zig zag, or any decorative stitch to sew the binding down on the front of your quilt. The glue holds everything in place while you're stitching and then washes out completely when you launder your quilt. I love this technique -- you'll get great looking bindings every time.

I have NEVER been successful sewing both sides with a sewing machine...always looks awful -- and I've sewn since I was 6 (okay too many years to count). I cut 2 1/2", fold in half, sew on the front with machine, fold over, PRESS, then hand sew. Besides the PRESSING making it look neater, I got a hint from a LQS that's helps on the corners. When you're ready to sew the back down, look at the fold on the corner on the front......it will either be folding to the left or the right. Now......on the back side fold it the OPPOSITE way. It makes a much neater crisper corner.

good luck!

I also vote for Sharon Schamber's glue method. It works every time! I love it!

Here is an online slideshow version with lots of pictures:

http://www.sharonschamber.com/free%2...ng%20Class.pdf

Try this once and you will be hooked! Just make sure you use school glue.

:)