Originally Posted by
Prism99
I sew the binding on *before* trimming the quilt edge. I use a long T-square and Sharpie permanent marker to mark a "virtual" edge on the quilt, sew the binding on with the binding's raw edge aligned with that virtual line, and only after that do I trim the edge to match the binding edge. This really helps me.
If using a straight stitch or zigzag to staystitch the edge before binding (and I agree this should help), again I would first mark the edge and then do this type of stitching *before* trimming the edge.
I like to leave a little to trim after the binding is sewn on, but not too many inches. It gets in the way. So I trim close to what will be the finished edge, but not quite up to it. I need that extra on there to finish the corners. When I turn corners when putting on binding, I sew up to 1/4 inch from the edge of the top, stop with needle in, turn quilt to sew into the tip of the corner, stopping just where the needle goes off the top and is into the batt and back fabric only. I do not take the quilt out of the machine at this point. Leave the needle in and turn quilt to sew down the other side. Bring binding down where it will be sewn, pinch excess binding in that corner and lay it down. You know what it is supposed to look like. Wiggle it around a little until the folds match up perfectly. Now lift the needle and move the quilt that 1/4 inch to the stitching line and begin sewing. No thread to cut and bunch up when you start sewing.
One more thing: When trimming the seam, I once cut into the binding as I was trimming at a corner. DON'T DO THAT!