Does anybody do this?
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#51
12-06-2017Both of my grandmothers were quilters - one of them ALWAYS did separate binding, one of them ALWAYS brought the (heavy flannel) backing around to the front.
In my experience with their quilts, both wear pretty evenly but actually the separate binding is the only one I've ever had to repair. Probably because it's quilting cotton rather than heavy flannel that my other gran always used.
In my own quilts...Funny, I never thought about it until now but I guess I sort of subconsciously follow their examples because if I use flannel for a backing I tend to bring it forward as binding; and if it's a quilting cotton back, I usually use separate binding.
In my eyes, both techniques are equally valid, equally good quality.
In my experience with their quilts, both wear pretty evenly but actually the separate binding is the only one I've ever had to repair. Probably because it's quilting cotton rather than heavy flannel that my other gran always used.
In my own quilts...Funny, I never thought about it until now but I guess I sort of subconsciously follow their examples because if I use flannel for a backing I tend to bring it forward as binding; and if it's a quilting cotton back, I usually use separate binding.
In my eyes, both techniques are equally valid, equally good quality.
#52
I think of a separate binding as an opportunity and design element to add to the overall beauty of the quilt that is easy and relatively inexpensive to do compared to the total cost of the quilt and frames up the finished artwork. 
#53
I bring the backing around the the front for binding when my backing is big enough. Otherwise I do separate binding. My mother always used the back to front binding. When I use the backing I fold it twice so it is double thick on the edge. None of my quilts are show quality.
#54
My girl friend uses the method of bringing excess fabric from the backing to the front, however, for some reason I have never mastered that technique to my satisfaction. If I have a small quilt, like a baby quilt, I will use the birthing method, then after quilting, I will stitch 1/2" around the perimeter of the quilt, so it sort of looks like binding. Otherwise I'll use binding for my quilts, and finish stitching them by hand while watching TV, sure helps keep me warm in this cold weather.
#56
evelyn5269 , 02-26-2014 11:17 AM
Senior Member
I do it your way with bringing the backing forward. Makes beautifully mitered corners but was recently told at two different quilt shows, they don't judge well in shows and some you can't even enter but I wasn't going to enter anyway lol. I think they turn out beautiful and way easier at least for me.
#58
I always use separate binding. For some reason, I find that it is easier to figure and for me, always looks much better. I tried the excess binding once and ended up having to really stretch the fabric to get enough so you can imagine what the final product looked like --no good!
