How do I machine bind my quilt?
 

I have 7 quilts that are for Christmas and all they need are to be bound. I'm too slow to hand sew the binding on the back. I know many people machine sew the binding (first) to the back and then bring it around to the front of the quilt and machine bind it. I tried that with a table runner and it looks horrible. I used the right color of thread but you can see that it's not a straight line down the binding, kindy wavy, missed the binding completely in some areas. I have to rip it apart and start over. I want to do the runner first before I tackle my quilts. Any suggestions?

lots of info here and in tutorials. do a search and you will find your hep

I use a decorative stitch so that little inconsistencies don't show as much. Experiment with the ones you have because I have found that not all consistently stitch equally all around the binding. My favorite is one that looks somewhat like an elongated S. I start at a mitered corner of the binding instead of along a side. Good luck, sounds like a lot of people are going to get some wonderful gifts.

I put the binding on backwards. You normally sew it to the front and bring it to the back. I put it on the back and bring it the front. I would use a 3 in piece folded in half. I thought 2 1/2 was too small. I have used a decorative stitch or a zigzag

If you like the look of the binding being brought to the back , consider machine stitching in the ditch on the top side . Bring the binding to the back , but secure the binding position using a thin strip of wonder under or heat and bond light . They do sell a roll of 1/4 inch fusible in the notions isle at Jo ann's if you don't want to cut your own. I fuse the binding on the back just past the stitching line you made stitching the binding on in the first step( about 1/8 inch). This ensures you will catch the binding on on the back side, when stitching in the ditch on the front. I find at this step I have better success without the walking foot , just using a SID foot if your walking foot does not have a SID foot. I find the fusible to be faster than the elmers glue method to secure the binding position.

i've tried to machine bind a couple quilts over the years- i've used the decorative stitch technique- the stitch in the ditch technique- and the straight stitch down the top technique- never have i been happy with the outcome- to me it just diminishes all the work that went into making the quilt by doing an (inadequate) rush job on the binding.
i know some people use glue- there are lots of tips for doing it- the look though---that i guess is a matter of personal choice- and i'm not one to ever think it looks ok- to me it just looks---
like i rushed the end...so i don't do them that way anymore- unless they are for a charitable organization that stipulates the bindings are to be machine attached (yes some do stipulate that) but if it's not a requirement- i take the time to hand stitch-
i've found that i have become quite fast at it --- can do a queen size quilt binding in a couple hours...usually sitting in front of a movie-stitching away- by the end of the movie- i am reaching the end of the binding.
i know some people always machine bind their quilts- and like how they turn out- my hat is off to them- i have just never managed to make one look anywhere close to acceptable- and after all the work of the quilt---to ruin it with the binding...
i'm sure the ones who are good at it will give you lots of great tips to help you finish up your quilts- i do think it's a look you have to get used to though- don't be hard on yourself- it's not going to look like a hand stitched binding- so don't expect it to-
good luck getting your quilts done.

You might try this method in the future. It solves the problem of catching the binding on both sides.

http://www.lorettaalvarado.com/binding.htm

One thing that has greatly helped my machine binding is hand-basting it. It does take some time, but definitely less time than hand-sewing the whole thing. This has really helped me to line it up exactly where I need it to be. For me, my hand-sewing just isn't so good, so I don't trust it to hold up to the wear and tear of a used quilt.

I think you are right. I think only hand stitching looks good...for me anyway. I haven't hand sewed binding for a while, that's why I have 7 quilts stacked up, but if you can get a queen size out that fast, maybe I should just spend every evening hand binding so it looks as good as my quilt. I am still making quilts. I think I should stop and bind instead. Thanks for reminding me about how nice hand binding is. It does make all the difference.

I prefer to use a decorative stitch that I use with varigated thread. I attach binding to back of quilt and bring it around to the front and stitch it down.

I love Charismah's QB tutorial on Quick Machine Binding with Flange. If you match the thread to the flange colour, the top stitching looks almost invisible and the flange looks like faux piping.