Hand sew binding or machine?
11-18-2015, 07:47 AM
#42
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,950
I attach the binding to the back with machine and fold it over and hand stitch it to the front by hand. Some fold to the back, either way is fine. I have seen only a few machine attached bindings that look good. I've noticed the stitching is rarely even from end to end. I have used decorative stitching to sew the binding but it doesn't look that great on most quilts to me.
11-18-2015, 08:00 AM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mississauga, ON Canada
Posts: 535
Originally Posted by loisf
I machine stitch most of my bindings. I cut the strips 2.25" wide and fold them in half. I sew the binding to the back with a very scant 1/4" seam, turn it to the front and top stitch very close to the edge. I try to use a color that matches the backing on my bobbin and the binding for my top thread. Alternately, I use the same color as the quilting thread. The line of stitching never hits the binding on the back of the quilt; it just runs parallel with it. The corners look perfect. I may be rationalizing and I have no proof, but I like to think that a machine-sewn binding is sturdier than a hand-sewn one. I do prefer the look of a hand-sewn binding, but I hate doing it, so usually I don't.
11-18-2015, 08:41 AM
#45
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Timmins, Ont. Canada
Posts: 4,683
I have done both. I find the hand sewn version looks neater but obviously takes a lot longer. If you aren't precise with your machine stitches, it may not come out looking as good as you might like. The machine sewn version is stronger though. I always worry that hand sewn stitches will break & it will come apart.
11-18-2015, 08:46 AM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Houston (Clear Lake), TX
Posts: 2,605
I have always hand-stitched my bindings and loved doing it. Recently experienced joint problems and can no longer stitch them by hand...will take some getting used to, and trial and error on my part, to be satisfied with the machine stitching!
11-18-2015, 11:43 AM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North Fork Ca
Posts: 8,234
I have never been able to machine sew the binding on the back and have it look like I really want it to, so I always hand sew the binding on the back. I get to snuggle under that quilt while I am finishing it and I think that is part of the reason to enjoy that final step
11-18-2015, 11:46 PM
#49
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,497
I hand sew it. I think I end up with better results. I think it's possible to machine stitch binding and have it look great - I have seen other people do it. I just really think it would be too easy to make a mistake.
11-19-2015, 12:28 AM
#50
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 11,903
I haven't done this but just looked it up since others in this post mentioned it and it looks great.
http://www.lvqg.org/media/2a7a5a699c...02ffffe415.pdf
http://www.lvqg.org/media/2a7a5a699c...02ffffe415.pdf
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