I agree, buying the binding tool (flat piece of plastic about three inches wide with a slanted end) is a waste of money. It's a learning curve to figure out how to do double-fold binding that ends up with a diagonal seam that fits perfectly but it's worth it. I agree also that it's best to have someone help you learn it in person. Maybe guilds could have volunteers to help quilters who need to have a little push to figure it out. Once you get it then you've got it. I myself was totally mystified even though I read the directions many times until a friend showed me how to do it.
Dana