I just completed my first hand sewn binding last night and love the look of it. BUT it takes too long. This quilt was hand pieced and quilted so I did hand sew the binding down (though cheated and used the machine to sew it to the front) but I don't crease my binding or pin it fast, I sort of eyeball it. I think it has a nicer edge when there's no crease pressed in it. But I do use a thimble and learned how to use one when I started hand quilting, now I have a problem sewing without one, but I found one that fits perfectly and panic when I can't find it. When I use my other not as great fitting one, I can only do a little at a time before my finger hurts. Good luck!