robinred55

Hi All,
First of all I want to thank the members on this board. Even though I'm a lurker I've learned so much by reading what others have done.

Firstly, I've learned how to sandwich my quilt using basting spray. I've finally made a quilt without all the puckers from not getting it all flat. The quilt I'm working on has become my "coming of age" quilt. I'm a self-taught quilter and have made about 10 quilts over the last 2 years.

I read the thread about the quilt police and a number of people 'confessed' to machine sewing binding. I have bad carpal tunnel and if I can avoid hand sewing all the better. I've always machined the front binding but if you sew the binding on the back also it must show on the front of the quilt. How do others manage this?

Thanks from Down Under

icul8rg8r

No need to "confess" anything! Whether one binds by hand or by machine, it is totally up to the quilter! I actually prefer machine binding - seems much stronger. I bind from the back to the front, and use one of my machine's pretty decorative stitches which gives the quilt a nice, finishing touch.

Esmerelde

I machine sew all my bindings. I usually attach to the back first, then pull to front and sew to the front. I use a normal straight stitch, and just move the needle two settings to the right to catch the very edge. (I use my blind hemming foot when doing this and keep the edge of the binding against the guide).

Recently I've started to sew to the front and then do the same on the back. My bindings are 2.5 inches wide and the side I sew last is always wider, so if I want a very narrow look on the front, I now sew to the front first.

patricej

i machine stitch both sides of my binding, too.
i attach mine to the front first, also.
i'm usually pleased with the results - unless i let my impatience take over and don't pin or glue baste carefully enough when i flip it to the back.

i've been trying to improve my skill working with narrower bindings.
don't ask me why. it's just something i decided i wanted to do.
as if life isn't hard enough. LOL LOL LOL

Knitette

Welcome to the board!

Although I usually machine on front and hand sew at the back (which I hate, but prefer the finish of, lol), when I can - for example wall hangings - I machine stitch my bindings. Then I sew to the back, pull round to the front and usually do a decorative stitch.

Unless you're entering your quilt in a show, then it's fine to do what you find easiest. Happy quilting.

mawluv

I to stitch to the back and fold to the front, then use a decorative stitch that covers and catches both front /back at the same time. Do whatever works for you, but don't be afraid to try something different!! OMG, I couldn't imagine my life without,"Elmer's School Glue". If it hadn't been for the ladies/guys here on the QB, I would have never tried it! BTW, try it on your binding to hold it down, no pins, no puckers, no problems!!!!!!

robinred55

If only we had Elmer's here in Oz.

Thanks all for your replies. I now have a plan of action and since the quilt is for me it's ok if there's a mistake or two in it.
I'll post a photo when it's finished.

woody

Hi Robinred, I am in oz too, and I have bought Elmers school glue from Officeworks, so it is available (yes it does work great too ).

If I do my binding by machine I like this way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NY89RqQhPQ.
Where abouts are you?

TexasSunshine

I also do as most of the others, sew to back and stitch to the front. One thing that helps me is the binding foot, it helps keep it straight. Also whenever I am ready to sew it to the front, I often get some scraps and a little piece of scrap batting and do a few practice pieces. That way I know what it will look like and can adjust things particularly when using a decorative stitch. If it is real thick I will stitch the top with a denim needle.

robinred55

Thanks for the info woody. I'll check it out.
Are you having a bad Winter also in Canberra. It's awful here in Adelaide.