I have hand-sewn binding a couple of times, and the results have been pleasing. However, I am a machine person! I cut my binding strips at 2 1/2" then sew them to the back of the quilt. I do not press them; I want to avoid having to work with a crease when I roll the binding to the front.
When I bring the binding to the front of the quilt, I can decide the final width I want. I sew along the edge, measuring as I go with a hem gauge. I usually use a simple straight stitch. If I feel that a corner is a little loose, I take a needle and thread and invisibly sew that by hand. Since I do not do show quilts, I am not as concerned with the backs as I probably should be. There is usually a row of stitching along the back just outside the border, but so far no one who has received one of my quilts has complained.
The only hand sewing I do on bindings is the edge of the quilt label which is sewn onto the quilt back after the label is attached at the edges. If anyone wants to steal one of my quilts, they will have to destroy the binding to get the label off. I really doubt that that will happen.
I forgot to add that often the binding on the front is considerably wider than that of the back. The wider binding gives a frame to the design. Plus, I usually try to add enough fabric to my purchase or cutting to make sure the binding is done with fabric featured in the quilt top.