The thing I hate about binding is mitering the corners. If it wasn't for that everything would be ok. I like the hand stitching part. Embroidery is one of my favorite things - started in vacation bible school waaaaaay back when I was in elementary school. I've watch all the videos, etc. on mitering but somehow my corners never look really good.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MissouriQuiltCo#p/a
Jenny from Missouri Quilt Co.-great tutorial-

I did my first acceptable mitered corner just 2 weeks ago, and learned by watching youtube videos over and over, step by step, you will get it too, one step at a time! I was so proud and no one noticed but me!

He could not be any more perfect. Even his blaze looks like it was painted on, it's so even! It's too bad you got out of breeding, because it looks like you really know what you're doing.

To keep it on-topic with binding, I always machine-stitch it to the front, just going slow to keep things lined up, no pinning, and hand-stitch it to the back using a blind stitch. My trick is that I do not press the fold into the binding at any point. I read somewhere that it is much easier to turn it to the back if it's not pressed, and it's true. Sometime I need to post a tutorial on how I connect the two raw ends of the binding. It's much simpler than the "correct" methods I've seen, and I think it looks just as good.

That's the one I use, too. Makes it so easy and works every time. In fact, I printed it out, pictures and all so it's always close at hand.

Also, I do not iron the binding strips in half to make a crease. I read somewhere that when you fold the binding to the back, the batting will take up a fraction of an inch so that the fold will never be exactly in the center of the binding strip. I find that very true. Without pressing in the crease, it always comes out nice and straight and you can always press the edge to get that crease, if you want. I don't bother.

Anyway, I love doing the binding 'cause I love handwork, including hand-quilting and hand-applique, all my favorites!

I wished I lived closer so I could help you!!! :-)

i learned how to do my binding by watching you tube videos...i always go back to it because i forget steps as a new quilter...try this link to binding with marci baker...it's awesome..www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7Trk6J2Vw

I looked at a lot of tutorial's until I found one that could understand and follow without any problem. I also learned how to make my own and now I look forward to the binding process. Still not perfect but each time I do one the end result is better than the last one. 8-)

I like doing the binding, but it took awhile to learn. I like your pics of the pony. It looks like a lot of fun.

This all started with a peach colored quilt, with no peach colored ready made binding to be found...here's my story:

Two years ago Santa (lol!!) got me a Simplicity Bias tape maker.
I had hear both positive and negative remarks about it. But, I'll tell you!!!! I LOVE it!!! This morning, I made over 400 inches of binding for a king size quilt in less than 30 mins. From start (cutting strips) to winding the finished product onto a spool for storage until I have time to stitch it on the quilt. Plus, your binding always matches your quilt!!! No more binding woes for me. I use a decorative stitch to attach it, makes it look nicer,,,don't have to worry about sewing a straight line..

I love to bind it's like the finished project then I hand sew that's relaxing cause I crossstitch to.

Hello Scrappy,
I am not very expereinced but I have used the Sharon Schamber's method of basting on 2 different projects and NOTHING HAS SHIFTED...it s amazing...go to you tube and check it out...

You will gain confidence with each binding...keep practicing :)

JoANn, Do you belong to any kind of group? If you do, I'll bet the ladies that binding does not intimidate would be glad to help you. I used to dread it like you do. One person sat down with me, showed me the easy way, and now I love to bind my quilts. Its that final step that says "I did this myself" If there is noone near, look through the tutorials here. Bet you can find the one that will make it click

I found it easier to machine sew it to the back side then hand stitch it to the front while listening to the TV.It takes less time this way and I don't have to rip it out a 1/2 dozen times And once I'm done I have 3/4 wide binding all the way around I hate to hand sew but a queen only takes 45-60 minutes- with commercial breaks

I am also a fan of The Binding Tool. It has taken away the dread of connecting the ends for me.

I don't particularly like to do binding either, but I have found that I would rather cut my binding on the bias. For me it seems to go on better. Many quilters use the straight bindings but for me bias is the way to go.

I find doing the binding relaxing and exciting as I know it's going to be completed. I do the ladder stitch which does not require clips or pins and the stitches are invisible.

I think you said it, practice will make it better after time, along with watching any tutorial and vidios that come up on the subject. It will become second nature after a while.
Good Luck!

JoAnn, I am totally with you on this one. I HATE binding, but I can do it, just don't like to do it. I have found a gal in my area who will do binding - she did two flannel quilts for a friend of mine and refused payment (she did receive a very nice gift card)

Oh thank you, that was the tuturial i was looking for. I cant wait to get home from work today. I have masaquered one of my mug rugs trying to bind it. Im one of those people that have to do it a bunch of times for it to stick. I have a little OCD going on and It has to be perfect in my eyes. These mug rugs will be the perfect practice to nail it down for me. hopefully I will get over my dread of binding after this. :)

Yes, I think these are great info. on binding. I've used her glue method and it sure makes hand sewing the binding on pretty painless. No pins to catch the thread on.

sorry, hit send twice

I would second the idea to watch Sharon Schambler's videos. I think you will find her binding method fun, very easy and probably will never do it any other way.

How on earth do you do that in only 45-60 minutes? It takes me several hours to do a crib quilt. I know I'm a slow worker and am very particular with my stitches - I try to make them very tiny, close together and invisible. The quilt will be washed a lot so I want to make sure the stitching is secure. It takes a long time but I love doing handwork so maybe I prolong the procedure a little, but I sure do wish I knew your secret!

Come visit jersey and i will help. I love to bind. It is my favorite part.