I, too, used to do all that work preparing a binding. Since I read here about not folding or pressing first, and tried it, I am completely won over and never have to mess with pressing a binding again. Cut the strips and sew them together end to end. When I'm attaching it, I finger press the seams open, fold it in half as I'm sewing it down, and it works much better. No puckers, and it all goes on much smoother and easier.