I machine stitch around my quilts before adding the binding.
I think it keeps it from stretching when I do add the binding
and keeps everything nice and flat. By pulling the fabric taught I don't have excess fabric when I add my binding.
I add the binding before I trim the excess batting and backing also.

I machine sew around my quilt before binding.

I just put the binding on with no pins or basting. God bless.

I hand baste all around the edges, all three layers and then put the binding on. Makes for a nicer finish.

I do always baste around the outside edge of the quilt before binding and sometimes on the machine and often by hand. I'm working on a throw that I'm handquilting which has a scalloped border so this one is being quilted by hand all around that scalloped edge. I probably hand baste around those outside edges more often than I machine baste but machine would be faster, that's for sure. I'd say it's one of those personal preference things. For large quilts, to save time, I have used a large basting stitch on the machine and sewn the edge. Both work just fine.
Patty

I never stitched or basted edges but i will now. Thanks Susie sew-a-lot

I too, have never heard of basting before putting the binding on. I will have to try it and see if that works for me especially with stipple quilting to the edge makes it ruffle a little.

I also have never done more than pin my binding on - but sometimes the edges don't always stay even - so I will try and sew the edges of the quilt in the future and see how that works out.

I'm always learning something new on this board! Thanks!

I glue my binding on and heat set with the iron, no basting or stretching when sewing it on. Also glue on the opposite side then hand sew, no pins to stick or get in the way.

I have just recently started serging the edges and think it makes it easier to sew on the binding and also helps fill out the binding. But before I do, I steam press all 3 layers of my sandwich before I square it up. The steam seems to hold the layers together so I only have to pin in the corners before I serge.