Binding Discussion
 

Let me start out by saying, I truly hate doing hand work. I respect greatly anyone who does do any type of handwork, but me personally, I just dont have the patience to do hand work.

As such, all my quilts get bound via machine. My first ones were atrocious, but 20-30 quilts later and I am getting darned good at them.

My goal in this lovely hobby is to produce, enter and of course win at shows :) and I know that shows require the binding to be hand done. It kind of got me thinking. From the information that I have read about shows and what to do for entries, I see that machine quilting is still a relatively new concept for show quilts. And many people took time and effort to make that happen. But it seems that the binding part was left out.

So was wanting to get a discussion going on what the thoughts are in our world here on machine bindings. After the practice that I have done and seeing how much I have improved. I know that my binding by machine isnt any more or less effective than hand binding is. It stands up to washing, and if done well it looks great. I always try to either blend the thread or make it stand out or even match the thread used for the quilting.

Another thought is that with the general move to more machine quilting skills/categories, why is machine binding not considered "good enough" for a show.

:) Thanks in advance for a good discussion on this :)

I don't know why it's not accepted either. My grandmother machine-bound every quilt she ever made as far as I can tell, so it's not THAT new of a concept.

I machine bind all of my quilts too, for the same reasons you do. I often use decorative stitches and I think when it's done well it adds to a quilt's appearance.

Maybe it IS acceptable at certain shows? I have only ever entered one quilt into a "show" but it was just the local fair. I did win a ribbon though! But I didn't get any sort of scorecard (just some nice comments scribbled on the back of my ID card that was pinned to the quilt) so I don't know if my machine binding knocked points off or not.

I don't know why it's not acceptable. I was about to say that I prefer the look of hand-binding, but on further consideration that could be because I've never done a binding by machine that didn't look atrocious! :p I enjoy doing it by hand so I don't mind... but sometimes it would be nice to get it done faster by machine.

Carolyn, I totally agree with you. I don't get why quilt shows don't allow machine binding.
I can't do a lot of handwork because of my carpal tunnel so I do all my bindings by machine.
I'm pretty happy with my binding. Not planning to enter shows because it's not my thing
but if I did I would be pretty frustrated if they rejected my quilt just because the binding
is not finished by hand. They need to review this aspect of judging a quilt. We'll see how
many years it will take.

I think the requirement of hand binding is the fact that, if done correctly, the stitching is invisible on the back side of the binding, i.e., the stitching is executed well enough that you don't see it when looking at the back side of the quilt. I agree that machine quilting the binding is more and more acceptable and can be done very nicely, but the point at least with show quilts is to not see any binding stitches.

Christine
Cedar Valley Quilts
www.cedarvalleyquilts.com

My machine binding sucks. When I see it done well, I am in admiration. I'm getting better, but I do not like destroying a perfectly great looking quilt with shoddy binding. i practice on kid quilts. They don't care ;-)

I agree, my machine binding is atrocious! What I like about quilting is that there is some forgiveness in not having perfectly straight seams. That said I also avoid hand sewing at all costs. I only hand bind because I like the look but the last queen size I did took me over 12 hours to bind the back. It's not my strong suit. I have seen some machine binding that looked beautiful and I think it'd be kinda the same as appliqueing over blocks to accentuate lines. Just my .02. I say, if it works for you then go for it, quilt police can party somewhere else.

I machine stitch all of my bindings... For several reasons... I get more stitches per inch and perfect thread tension, plus by the time I get to a binding ... I am really ready to be done with the quilt.

I think I ran into the only show that did not find a machine stitched binding a fault. One of my quilts was entered in a show and it took top prize. Granted the show was not Houston or a major national show, but I was stunned.

If you hate doing it, why not hire someone to do it for you, especially if you want to enter the quilt in a show? I have had several quilters hire me to sew binding on their quilts. I enjoy it.

Let me correct a misunderstanding. Machine binding is accepted in show quilts. It is judged with the same standards as hand binding.

I'm not sure I'm understanding, but is it meant that the machine stitching from applying the binding to the quilt is visible on the back and the rolled-over binding should cover the machine stitch when it is hand stitched? I just cut the binding one fourth inch wider which gives it more room to roll over and cover that machine stitch.

Sorry I never machine a binding on. I just don't like the look of the stitches on the back. This is my personal preference and I admire anyone who can keep those stitches in the ditch.
Surely we should have rules studied in shows to keep them fair. I entered a show and found any piece in the categories I had selected needed to be 1 metre in at least one direction. Wall hangings are frequently smaller and I had to extend.
Being at one show a lady asked if I had seen any quilts which had been hand quilted not these all the same patterns. To her they were wrong if it hand quilted.
Binding , I will practice but not sure it will catch on with me as I love to curl up on a cold night and hand stitch.

I too hate handwork of any type, BUT I do hand bind some of my quilts as I prefer the look. I would consider my machine binding to be passable and on the likes of wall hangings etc to be fairly good, but that's probably because I concentrate on the front and don't worry too much about the back, lol!

I do not do machine binding I tried it once and it looked just awful.

At the Puyallup, WA Quilting, Sewing and Craft Expo that I went to last week, a woman was demonstrating a presser foot that would machine sew the binding (with monofilament thread and a tiny zig-zag stitch) and claimed one of her quilts was submitted as a great example of hand-stitched binding. It was very hard to tell as it used the monofilament (invisible) thread, but it looked very nice. I happen to enjoy the hand stitching, so wouldn't spend the money. Unfortunately, I didn't get the name of the foot to tell you.

I'd go ahead and enter your quilts with machine binding and see what reaction you get. I think the more of them that are entered that way, the more acceptance will be generated.

Well, I am one of those in the minority who does like to do handwork. However, I do my binding both by machine and hand, depending on the quilt. Charity quilts, especially if they are for children and lap quilts, especially if they are going to a home where I know animals will be snuggling in the quilts, too, are bound by machine, because I figure these will be used more and will be washed more. Most wall hangings, table runners, potholders, etc. are bound by machine. Bed quilts that are made for a special occasion are bound by hand. If I was to enter a quilt in a show, I would certainly bind by hand, because my stitches truly cannot be seen. I use both the applique stitch and the ladder stitch, depending on the mood I'm in.

I'm one of those folks who would do hand work if I could. Since I can't because of my hands I sew all my bindings on my machine. I love using the decorative stitches on my machine to do the final binding stitching. I like it and it means I am able to finish off my quilts.

I have done both and my binding is always wider than usual. I've added an extra 1/2 inch to the binding depending on the design of the quilt.

Same here. I like a wider binding and I do most of mine by machine.

I started quilting a year ago and have made several quilts. I have no experience with hand stitching and have no desire to do so. When I make my quilts, I do everything from start to finish - all by machine. I have done bindings several different ways with mixed results, but with practice, I'm getting better at binding and my last few look good.
So - if you only tried it once, you need to practice, so it won't look "awful".

Anyone have any pictures to share of machine stitched binding (good or bad)? I have only done binding by hand...in front of the tv...with a cup of hot coffee...very cozy!

Peckish, I do hire someone to do my quilts that I will show. Also hire her to stitch the labels on as well. :p cause i wont. I was just wondering about feelings on the situation and get a discussion going on bindings and shows. :) was more a thought provoking discussion not a whine about a situation. ;)

Holice, some shows actually do not accept machine binding, but those that do not accept them are very specific in the rules that they are not allowed. All the shows that I have investigated locally have all stated that binding needs to be hand done. Perhaps though I missed something.

Here is a photo of a table topper I did, the binding is sewn to the back, then folded over to the top and machine sewn down to the top. I generally pick a bobbin thread that blends so you can not see it in case I "miss" the ditch in the back.

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and here is another one that I did with piping

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When i found out that you have to hand stitch the binding to the back, I had a fit. Why ????We pay alot of money for our machines and I am going to sit and hand stitch the binding. Not Me. I am getting good at putting my binding on also and I will continue this way. I only did one by hand. It is much more sturdy machine stictched and I like it.

A comment about machine binding.
If the front looks good, what does the back look good. Is the stitching straight and even on the back side but does it zig zag all over the edge of the binding. They may look good on the front but not good on the back.
Equal quality is what judges look for (for those who enter your quilts.) I sat in a Ebony Love class recently on machine binding. Her binding was perfect on both front and back. So it can be done. This is probaby why some use glue and other methods (fusiable thread) to assure the binding is the same on the back as front.

Oh I hope you don't think that I thought you were whining! I was just making a suggestion. :)

I hand hem all my bindings, but with my tendonitis, it gets harder and harder and takes me longer and longer. I have tried one or two on the machine and have not liked how they look. Does anyone know if there are any tutorials out there that show how to do it so they actually look good?

I once entered a quilt finished off with faux piped quilt binding (done by machine) and it earned a second place ribbon in its category. There is nothing wrong with machine binding IMHO.

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.

I should have qualified my comment about machine bindings in show quilts. It was meant as a general statement that machine bindings are being entered. However a quilter should always abide by the rules of any show where they enter a quilt.

I do a machine binding for quilts I think will get a lot of washing. I prefer the look of hand quilting for some styles, but I don't think it is as durable. I have a DIL that can't sew a button on anything, so the ones I send her are always done by machine. I cut around the batting and backing leaving 3/4" of edge. Then I sew the 2 1/2" double fold binding on the back, bring it to the front and sew a decorative stitch. I have never been able to make the other way look presentable.

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 !!