Binding by machine question...need tips/help
 

I have some hand issues and cannot hold a needle. I just saw on another thread machine binding that was great.
I was paying to have binding done but recently tried a couple of methods on baby quilts and I am not crazy w/ the results. I know it can be done better.
1. I sewed the binding on the front and wrapped to the back 2. I sewed the binding on the back and wrapped to the front.
The second step is where I did not like the result and need tips.
I sewed "in the ditch" from the front, but there was a "phlange" left on the back binding.
I sewed a decorative stitch on the front of the binding and that phlange (the free edge) was then on the front, but was better than the bigger one on the back
Could you share the best way to get a look that is closer to a binding that is stitched by hand?
Many thanks

When I do a machine binding , I baste the back of the binding just a few threads past the stitching from attaching the binding . Some use Elmers glue to "baste" , I have the best results using the 1/4 inch steam a seam ( got it at Jo 'ann's) to hold (baste) the binding exactly where I want and to minimize the "flange". You will probably want to practice this in a practice sandwich so you can get a feel for just how many threads past the stitching line you need to bring the binding to the back to mimimize the flange. I also found I needed a narrower binding.
I use invisable thread in the top , and thread to match the binding color for final stitching .

I will only do a machine binding using the flange method. There is a wonderful tutorial on here, search Faux Flange. =)

here is a link to it http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...g-t200207.html

I use the little red clips so can sew my binding down by machine by following my sewing line about an inch at a time. Still easier than hand stitching.
With the clips I can see my stitching line and stitch on top of it. Cant do that with glue.

I plan my quilts so the binding in the front can be extra wide. I then sew the binding to the back with a regular 1/4 inch seam. I pull the binding to the front and sew it down by machine with a matching thread. On the back it just looks like an extra quilting line. Since none of my quilting is even close to show quality, it works for me for most quilts.

I happened to come across some of Sharon Schamber videos on binding...You might take a look at them. Hope it helps.

I made my first quilts when I was a teenager. Never heard of binding. We just pulled the backing fabric around to the front and hemmed it. Used an old treadle machine then.

Quite a while ago I posted a written tute [no pics, sorry] about machine binding.

I sew the folded binding on the back. Then iron it so it is straight out from the quilt, turn it over and iron it again - you can use a very little bit of school glue to help hold it in place - then sew with a fancy stitch. The ironing is the trick as it helps keep everything straight.

Make a sample first so you know how wide to cut your binding so that it fits your quilt sandwich.

The way I machine stitch a binding is to sew the doubled binding on the front side with a 1/4" seam. (I cut my bindings 2.5", btw...) Then I start near a corner and turn the corner first, to get it nice. I use a lot of pins, and pin the binding from the front, as that is the side I will be stitching from. I work out from the corners and turn and pin the binding every 6" or so. I look on the back and get the binding just past the first stitching line, hold it there, and then pin it from the front. My aim will be to catch just the least bit of the binding on the back-- not miss it, nor catch too much and have a "flap" sticking out. After pinning all the way around, making sure to pin the edge of the binding just over the first stitching line, I start stitching in the ditch from the front. I actually pull the front binding fabric back from the seam, so it will later relax back over the stitching and hide it. I use my eye judgement on how wide the binding should look from the front, plus feeling where the edge is with my fingers, as well as sometimes peeking to see where that edge is on the back. This is finesse... you get the feel for it and it gets better the more you do it. I usually have to go and pick a few spots where I missed the edge, or caught too much... no big deal. I don't think I've ever done one yet that I didn't have to pick a few spots and try again. Keep practicing. Good luck!