i've never liked the way machine applied bindings look- so i do it the old fashioned way- for me it is the greatest part of the quilt process---because it means it's finally done! i usually wait until there is a good movie on or something like that=sit on the couch and just stitch away- usually by the end of the movie i am almost done---and feeling very good about it...as for your blister---try to pace yourself---don't try to do them all at once- plan to work on one for about an hour----then take a break-give your fingers a break- and give them some nice lotion---a few hours later go back and work for another hour---repeat---when one is done give your hands a couple days off---and also be generous with nice lotion- one of my favorites is "gloves in a bottle"
after a couple days off- start the next one---and again-take breaks--you will find you will be more productive- and get further if you give yourself breaks during the process.