Binding by hand
 

Usually I machine do binding on my charity quilts, but have a quilt I may decide to show next year. I decided to hand bind that quilt and add a hanging sleeve..
I do a tiny invisible stitch and either I'm as slow as molasses or a mean gremlin is removing stitches when I'm not looking. Honestly I started about 10 am and stopped at 3 pm only completeing two sides! My fingers are so sore. I have never used a thimble so please rule that out before mentioning it. How do other quilters hand bind that doesn't leave them with sore fingers? OUCH!!

I like to hand stitch to the back. I find that a smaller needle helps. It will go thru your fabric much easier than a thicker needle

Right off the top, fingers that do not ply the needle regularly will be sore after hours of stitching without a thimble. I really do urge you to try some of the new ones, which are soft, comfortable and easy to wear. I cannot bear the metal thimbles and prefer a leather one myself. You can also get little dots to stick on your needle finger.

But apart from that, perhaps you are making your stitches too close together? How many stitches per inch did you do? Because binding can be around 4-6 stitches per inch.

I use Primitive Gatherings Binding Needles and find they are much easier to work with. I also use a thimble. I get the ones from Bohin with the rubber top and metal end on them. I find them much easier to use and wear than metal thimbles.

After a while it will be easier. Think of muscles that haven't been used that way. I don't mind hand binding.

I prefer the look of the hand stitched binding to all my other options -- and I too am soooo slow at it. I find it helps to do for a specific duration so typically a tv show... I also find it helps me to do in a group setting if you have a work group. Finally I repeat to myself "a kiss with every stitch" instead of using bad language :p

On the practical side, how tiny are your stitches? maybe you can reduce the count by a couple stitches per inch and still have a quality/secure product.

I love those little leather dots that stick to your finger. I could never abide a thimble either, but those dots became a game changer. I'll even do a moderate amount of turned edge applique now. Also, I have never been able to hand sew my bindings with anything other than a ladder stitch. Same for my applique.

The only thimble that works for me is leather. I usually hand stitch the binding back because I can't seem to get the machine stitches nice on both sides. I love Tulip needles.

I agree with Celia about using a small needle. I use a betweens needle, very thin, short, and sharp. I also use Wonder clips to hold the binding in place. That reduces strain on my hands. I don't use thimbles or dots or anything like that. I can hand bind a queen quilt in one day, though my shoulders may get tired.

For bed-sized quilts, I figure on a side a day, and that takes me about an hour to do. I watch TV while doing it. I use straw needles and do wear a thimble because if I don't they cut into my fingers. Slow and steady wins the race!

When I hand stitch the binding, I'll put a goal into finishing 1 side at a time while watching TV. If my hands don't hurt by the time I get to the next side I'll continue but sewing for 1.5hrs a night is about my max. And yes, I use tiny stitches too plus a thumble at times.

Finer needles and thimbles like everyone else has said. But you also should look into hand stretches to keep keep your ligaments loose and prevent cramping. I hand quilt as well, and the routine is sew for about an hour, stretch out my fingers and take a 5-10 minute break, then start sewing again. Also taking some kind of anti-inflammatory before you start is helpful.

I am very slow at binding, too, and just do a little at a time. What I find essential is a rubber finger to help me grip the needle.

I think the key is to start out with a shorter time, then do it regularly and build up the time. This is what I needed to do when learning to play guitar and clarinet. If I played too much when I hadn't played for a while, my fingers would get so sore from the guitar strings. After a while of regular play, the tips would callous up. For the clarinet, it took me a while to strengthen up my lip muscles and breathing muscles again. I also agree that metal thimbles are hard to use, I do have one that is leather and works for me better but I still mostly bind by machine as I really think that is stronger as well as faster.

Agree with ginger, those leather pads are the only thing I use, and a ladder stitch. It does take me about 4 or 5 hours to finish

I finally finished binding my quilt, it's about 75 x 90 I think. Made the hanging sleeve to go with it from the same material as the backing, but won't put it on until I decide if I want to enter it in the show or not....give my fingers a rest.
The problem wasn't with muscle cramps in my hands, it was pokeing the needle through the binding fabric...it was a piece from my stash and even though I washed it first it was stiffer than what I expected it to be. Changed needles and used more of a downward over my thumb stitch and that seemed to help. God forbid that I ever have to remove the binding for anything., it's on to stay!

First of all, have you tried non-thimble thimbles that stick on your finger, such as ThimblePads or UltraThimbles? I really like the small metal disc thimbles.

If you decide you STILL can't use a thimble, then you'll have to learn to not use your finger to push the needle through. Instead, grasp the needle between your thumb and forefinger and squeeze to push/pull the needle through the fabric. Hopefully this action won't make the muscles in your hands sore, or exacerbate any arthritis you may have. Personally I find it's easier to use the stick-on thimbles.