My quilts are not "show" quality: they are made to keep friends and family warm. I do not mind a seam holding down the binding. For that reason, I cut my bindings a little bit wider and sew to the back first. I get a little wider binding on the front that way, and I can easily stitch it by machine. The wider binding almost serves as a final border, particularly if I choose a "pop" fabric to do it. I want my quilts to be used on a floor for naps or in the backyard for picnics. The machine binding, I think, makes the quilt a little sturdier.