Holice---My goal for a charity quilt is one of STURDY and will be able to stand up to lots of washing and using. I believe binding that is machine sewn front and back is just stronger. Quilts For Kids requires it that way because if it comes lose in some part----it can get caught up in the medical equipment.
I sew it on to the back carefully to get the good quarter inch. When I fold it to the front---I make sure it covers the stitching line. The Serpentine stitch I do on my Janome is pretty on the front.