QuiltE

Can you stitch too closely when doing hand binding?

IMHO closer, means tighter, and a more even finish.
I use a ladder stitch with a double stitch periodically to help hold things secure.

Long stitches, leave more possibilities for problems ... or little fingers to start "playing" and eventually break the threads and the binding to come undone.

Homespun

I put one stitch about every 1/4 to 3/8 " or so and hide the thread in the quilt so there is nothing to catch.

tessagin

3-4. All depends.

GingerK

Hmmmm...got me thinking. So I went and measured. Over 3 quilts, it ranged from 6-9 and I also use a ladder stitch. I think it is less stressful on the binding and I seem to be able to keep it more even. Hey! Am I normal??

Dedemac

I know I'm not normal! I married some one who was in submarines in the navy and he liked it.

I guess I wanted to know how far off the average I was, I also do the ladder stitch and only single thread, since I think it gives it a smother finish. The other question I should have asked is... normally you machine sew the binding to the front and hand stitch to the back correct? I have done one with the machine stitching on the back and hand stitching on the front since I wanted a softer edge on the front.

Hope every one has a thoughtful Memorial day.

ckcowl

I've never actually counted, never thought about it, but, I do a fairly tight, close stitch. Probably around 12 stitches to inch- my reasoning being the closer the less chance of anything catching an opening between stitches and tearing my binding loose. I want it good and secure.

Sync

Well, "normal" for me is anywhere from 4 - 7 stitches. It all depends on how much attention I'm paying to my stitching .... lol .....

humminn

i don't know what is normal either, but my grandmother always stressed that hand quilting and hand sewing the binding should be close enough so that a baby couldn't get their nails caught in it. make any sense? lol, So my stitches are 8- 10 per inch.

cindi

I usually do 8-10 per inch, too. Had someone tell me once that a baby got their toe stuck in between the binding when doing larger stitches, and that's all it took for me. Nobody is getting anything stuck in my quilts!

JustAbitCrazy

Ditto. I stitch the binding the same way I stitch invisible hand applique stitches. Tiny and close. Takes a long time. I think I need to loosen up.