Machine binding
#21
I sew most of my bindings by machine... sew to the back, stitch down on the front. Most of my quilts are donations to the cancer center. I'll sew to the front and hand stitch to the back for show quilts.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Pikesville, MD
Posts: 720
On my last baby quilt I sewed the binding to the front, and wrapped it around to the back and used a serpentine stitch of a contrasting color on the front, as an added design element. The back binding was about double the width of the front binding, so the serpentine stitch held it in place perfectly.
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 114
I use the same method -- sew to back, press, and line up the folded edge slightly over the seam on the front and then stitch. I use the french fold ( double fold) which I think makes binding much easier. Also, starching and ironing your binding before attaching to the quilt makes it easier to handle; that is if you are not using a bias binding. Starching and ironing a bias binding tends to stretch it, so avoid this option.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Posts: 1,987
I sew the binding on to the back, then very carefully cut my seam to just less than 1/4". Fold over to the front and glue baste the binding so the front of the binding lays just past the seam on the back. Then sew the binding down right on the edge. You end up seeing the seam on the back, but it follows the binding and looks fine.
#26
I sew it to the back. then for any lap or bigger size quilt I press it out and fold it to the front, then use elmer's school glue to glue it to the front, making sure it's just barely beyond the line of stitching-like one thread beyond. Then I use a zig zag stitch to sew it down on the front. If it's a wall quilt I just fold it to the front, use clips (since I won't be washing any glue out) and stitch it. I don't care what it looks like on the back for wall quilts.
#27
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,559
#28
Here are a couple of sites that explain how I do mine. You can actually feel the “ditch” from the front to be able to sew it accurately.
http://www.tmequilting.com/PDFs/Handout.pdf
http://quiltingdigest.com/this-machi...on-both-sides/
Vicki in Colorado
http://www.tmequilting.com/PDFs/Handout.pdf
http://quiltingdigest.com/this-machi...on-both-sides/
Vicki in Colorado
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Org. Texas now Florida
Posts: 847
Machine binding
I made a twin size flannel quilt for a kids charity quilt and want to sew the binding on by machine. I have tried both ways in the past and neither seems to look that great, although sewing to the back first is easier to maneuver for me. Which method works best for you - sew to the back first and then the front or sew to the front first and then the back?
Thanks for any advice.
Thanks for any advice.
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,241
I usually sew the binding onto the back, iron toward the front, and sew on the front. Sometimes I need to trim at the corners in order to get a neat miter. Most of the people receiving my quilts will machine wash/dry, so I feel this makes them more sturdy. It's easier on my eyes and my hands.