I sew my binding to the back first, fold it over, and machine stitch to the front -- most of the time using a straight stitch. I like having the binding seam fairly even on the front, and this method works for me, whether the quilt is a "fun" small one or a bed-size one. Plus, I've never pressed the binding strip before I attached it to the quilt. If my binding is a little "whunker-jawed," a pressed edge makes it even more noticeable. I've even begun playing with the binding measurements a little bit: I was taught to use 2 1/4" binding strips, but I've used 2 1/2" very successfully and have even tried 3" strips. It works for me, and the quilt police haven't locked me up yet!!