It is so easy and much quicker to bind to the front with a machine. The owner of a LQS who has her own fabric line - patterns, etc etc and is in many of the popular magazines, taught us how. NO you won't get a Blue ribbon with this technique, but it is neat and you can be done. I do admire all the hand work a lot of ladies do and I do hand sew bindings to the back on table runners, etc. Do a SEARCH on this board and you will find pictures/tutes and information. Nancy Zimmerman does a front binding on some pot holders and that is exactly what you do on a quilt. I prefer not to make a wide binding to the front, but you will learn what you like. Have fun with it!