GailG

I'm not sure I'm understanding, but is it meant that the machine stitching from applying the binding to the quilt is visible on the back and the rolled-over binding should cover the machine stitch when it is hand stitched? I just cut the binding one fourth inch wider which gives it more room to roll over and cover that machine stitch.

DOTTYMO

Sorry I never machine a binding on. I just don't like the look of the stitches on the back. This is my personal preference and I admire anyone who can keep those stitches in the ditch.
Surely we should have rules studied in shows to keep them fair. I entered a show and found any piece in the categories I had selected needed to be 1 metre in at least one direction. Wall hangings are frequently smaller and I had to extend.
Being at one show a lady asked if I had seen any quilts which had been hand quilted not these all the same patterns. To her they were wrong if it hand quilted.
Binding , I will practice but not sure it will catch on with me as I love to curl up on a cold night and hand stitch.

Knitette

I too hate handwork of any type, BUT I do hand bind some of my quilts as I prefer the look. I would consider my machine binding to be passable and on the likes of wall hangings etc to be fairly good, but that's probably because I concentrate on the front and don't worry too much about the back, lol!

mighty

I do not do machine binding I tried it once and it looked just awful.

DJ

At the Puyallup, WA Quilting, Sewing and Craft Expo that I went to last week, a woman was demonstrating a presser foot that would machine sew the binding (with monofilament thread and a tiny zig-zag stitch) and claimed one of her quilts was submitted as a great example of hand-stitched binding. It was very hard to tell as it used the monofilament (invisible) thread, but it looked very nice. I happen to enjoy the hand stitching, so wouldn't spend the money. Unfortunately, I didn't get the name of the foot to tell you.

I'd go ahead and enter your quilts with machine binding and see what reaction you get. I think the more of them that are entered that way, the more acceptance will be generated.

mckwilter

Well, I am one of those in the minority who does like to do handwork. However, I do my binding both by machine and hand, depending on the quilt. Charity quilts, especially if they are for children and lap quilts, especially if they are going to a home where I know animals will be snuggling in the quilts, too, are bound by machine, because I figure these will be used more and will be washed more. Most wall hangings, table runners, potholders, etc. are bound by machine. Bed quilts that are made for a special occasion are bound by hand. If I was to enter a quilt in a show, I would certainly bind by hand, because my stitches truly cannot be seen. I use both the applique stitch and the ladder stitch, depending on the mood I'm in.

QuiltnLady1

I'm one of those folks who would do hand work if I could. Since I can't because of my hands I sew all my bindings on my machine. I love using the decorative stitches on my machine to do the final binding stitching. I like it and it means I am able to finish off my quilts.

tessagin

I have done both and my binding is always wider than usual. I've added an extra 1/2 inch to the binding depending on the design of the quilt.

quiltsRfun

Same here. I like a wider binding and I do most of mine by machine.

Gladmaker

I started quilting a year ago and have made several quilts. I have no experience with hand stitching and have no desire to do so. When I make my quilts, I do everything from start to finish - all by machine. I have done bindings several different ways with mixed results, but with practice, I'm getting better at binding and my last few look good.
So - if you only tried it once, you need to practice, so it won't look "awful".