Originally Posted by bjnicholson
I'm right there with you! I made a set of placemats for my sister and have been lollygagging about doing the binding. I decided yesterday that I would not do another thing (including cooking supper!) until I get them done. So the upshot is I have sewn the binding on the front of two, but the second one is giving me fits where you put the two end together. I don't know why it is so hard for me. There are several tutorials here. In fact I followed one of them for the first mat. Now I have to find the tute for the rest of them.
If I can't even bind a place mat, how am I ever going to do a quilt? It's very discouraging?
Don't give up!! I wish I was closer so I could sit with you and show you how! I have found the best method is to use a 2 inch strip, join the strips on the bias and fold them in half. When you start (in the centre of the side of your project) start about 1 inch in (leaving the 1 inch at the start free. When you come around to the end, you will fold this raw edge under 1/2 inch and tuck the "end" under it. Make sense? When you have finished sewing, press the binding towards the outside. Fold it around to the back and lightly press again. Pin using binding clips (they are also used for girls' hair barrettes) so you don't get poked by straight pins. Sew by hand to the back. It sounds like a lot of work, but trust me, I've tried to take shortcuts and it never turns out right. I hope this helps you. Please don't give up - after you have got onto it, you will be happy that you stuck with it and you will have beautifully bound projects!! Good luck!