I do it both ways. I don't mind hand sewing the binding if the quilt calls for it. I usually sew onto the back by machine, flip over and sew the binding down on the front. Comes out pretty good. I saw a tutorial with Donna Jordan of Jordan fabrics and she cuts her strips 2.5 inches, sews on the front with a 1/4 inch seam, flips over, sews from the front in the ditch formed by the binding, and says it is wide enough to catch on the back. I'm going to try it. It's just for me, a table topper, so if it doesn't work, I'll know for next time.