The only reason I can think of is that I've never seen a machine binding that is as perfectly mitered and sewn as a hand binding. I personality like to hand sew a binding, and I usually think of "hand" as a four letter word! And I do machine bindings sometimes when perfection is not a requirement, because I can't get a machine binding to look as nice as a hand one. But if someone can get a machine binding to be perfect, I see no reason why it shouldn't be judged accordingly.

All of my gifted quilts have machine binding, Since they get used and washed often and if I ever enter another show, I suppose I will hand bind it. Just do what makes you happy

In my opinion, I think, in time this will change. When I belonged to a quilt guild, they would not accept tied quilts in their annual quilt show, which I thought was ridiculous, but I was only one person. However, I remember a quilt teacher that had been asked to come to our guild and teach a class afterwards, who stated that that criteria was out dated. She pointed out a quilt which had been featured on the cover of a national quilt magazine, done by her or someone in her quilt shop, which had been tied, so she didn't understand the guild's position. I'm hoping that in time it should be OK for quilts shown in a show to have binding sewn on a machine.

That may be the reason, that techniques for "perfect" machine binding are not being taught or shared enough for people to learn how to do perfect machine binding. It does take alot of time but not nearly as much as a novice hand binder. Another point you made was the mitered corners. I can get my corners mitered, and even very nicely. However they are not tacked down in diagonal like hand binding is done. I havent found a good way to do that via machine while putting the binding on.

:hug: all is good peckish :) I wasnt sure if I had been clear about this being more a philosophical discussion than a "how come they dont". I find it important as the "experts" in this field that we discuss these issues. And anyone doing quilts is an expert :) some with more experience than others.

Yes I have come close to perfect however most times I just want it done :p but I know it is possible.

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Originally Posted by cindyb (Post 6418176)

So I understand this a little better, first you sew binding on the BACK, then fold to the front along the sewn line? Any other stitches used besides straight stitch or zigzag? I'm wondering about buttonhole stitch.

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yes you can use any stitch you want, some are more hideable on the back than others, but any stitch you want can work.

I have a stitch on my machine that looks like a blanket stitch; I use that one for binding a lot and let the "leg" part of the stitch overlap the edge of the binding and go onto the quilt. I think it looks nice and helps hide if you get off a little bit because it's not supposed to be in the ditch - I overlap the stitches the same way on the binding on the back of the quilt (which was already attached before I flipped it over).

I'm not too keen on hand binding and have machine stitched the last few quilts I've done. I had some real dodgy finishes especially when using decorative stitches as they'd look fine on the reverse of the quilt but pretty awful on the front. From trial and error I've found that I can get a much better overall finish if I sew the binding onto the reverse of the quilt instead of the top so that the top of the quilt has even stitching around it when it's folded over. Its so much quicker machine binding.

I have tried machine binding but it looked awful. I always hand sew my binding but would love to learn to machine bind well.

i hand bind because I enjoy the hand-sewing (thankfully) and I can do it better than machine binding. My frustration is that I want the back to be as nice as the front - my machine binding isn't up to my snuff!

I guess I am from the OLD school of quilting so please forgive me if I sound too blunt. I don't think any organization or show (except for larger shows who require photo submission) will state you can't enter your quilts but there are standards of which most quilting judges use. There are standards for equestrians and breeds of dogs also have specific standards.

I actively participated in many quilt competition in my earlier days and won many ribbons. This was when many people frown on a quilt being machine quilted. I have had my quilts judge by both F&P and Pat Magaret & Donna Slussser (large quilt shows). Now that I am disable, many of my charity quilt bindings are done by others by machine which makes me cringe. I don't mean to judge anybody, but I have never seen a quilt with machine top stitch binding that looks as nice and professional as hand stitch the binding on the back. I was surprised and delighted when TWICE I won Best of Show over hand quilted quilts. Applique quilts will also more often win over a pieced quilt. I agree with Peckish. Find someone who can do the hand stitching. You might just want to try to do hand stitching on a small wall quilt. I use to be able to hand stitch 5 feet in an hour. Try doing it when watching TV. Make sure that your miter corners are perfect!! I also learn thru competition to cut my binding 2.25" wide for a nice tight firm binding.

But inclosing, BE READY because sometimes the judges can be quite blunt with their comments on your entry card. Good Luck !!