One of the things you mentioned was that you dislike cutting the strips. I would invest in the june Tailor Shape Cutter Pro:
http://www.joann.com/june-tailor-sha...-/xprd1130652/
wait till rulers are on sale and see if you can get a free shipping or use a coupon, wich would make it about the same price as having somone do one binding for you. This ruler will cut a folded piece of fabric (like right off the bolt) and is set up to cut 2 1/2 inch strips. Makes cutting binding a snap.