Binding problem- help!
 

Hi everyone,
My specific problem with bindings is that sewing the first side goes fine, but when I do the other side the stitches never line up with the side I just finished. That's why I usually sew the front first and then hand sew the back. But I really don't like doing it that way even though it looks a lot better.
I usually use 2.5 inch binding and a walking foot. Doesn't matter which machine I'm using.
Any tips?

Try a serpentine stitch so it doesn't have to be perfect. Another option for you might be to try wrapping the backing around to the front for the binding. That always looks very nice!

Yesterday I wrapped the back to the front. After sewing the front the back row of stitching was outside the binding. I get so frustrated. Thanks for the tip on the decorative stitch!

I always use my walking foot and a serpentine stitch for my bindings. I first stitch the binding on the back with a straight stitch. Then I pull the binding to the front placing the edge just a little beyond the stitch line of the binding. I adjust my serpentine stitch length and width to get a gentle curve that I like using a small scrap of quilted material. Once I have the binding pulled to the front and adjusted to just a little beyond the stitch line, I use the left inner edge of my foot to keep the edge of the binding lined up and do start stitching....this usually keeps everything straight and the stitching is on the binding on the back too... Depending on your foot, you many need to tweak where you are lining everything up a bit so just get a sample and try different points on your foot to line things up with. The corners can be tricky and do take some practice to get clean....but I now have mastered that for the most part....I stop stitching 1/4 inch from the corner, break the thread....make the mitered corner and resume stitching....works just fine but took me a bit of practice and remembering not to tug on the fabric and now most of the time, my stitches do not show on the corners on the backing as they are on the binding part. I match my thread to the binding. Oh, and I don't pin or clip anything....just use my fingers...to finger pin things in place as I go ...slowly....oh...and make sure you don't stitch over your fingers...ouch!

Have you tried flange binding? https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutorials-f10/quick-machine-binding-flange-t77821.html AKA magic binding. Several tutorials online if you google that.

I don't know that mine are perfect but they are pretty close. Only once in a rare time does the stitching come off the line. I always fold and stitch the front, that is where it matters most. I stitch the binding on the back then take it to the ironing board and press out before folding over. Then at the ironing board and fold it over to the stitching line (just a tad over the line) and put a couple dots of glue, iron and move on. The whole gluing process might take 15 minutes for a full size quilt but that that is saved 10 fold from having to rip out stitches when the fold doesn't line up perfectly. When stitching I use an edge foot and move my stitches in 6, 7 or 8 stitches - to where I'm sure I am within the stitching line on the back. Works every time. I'm also careful to fold the corners nicely and glue them in place too.

I don't have a problem with corners. I seem to have mastered that part of it. No, I haven't tried a flange border but I like the way they look.
I love using glue as well.
I appreciate all the replies.

I only tried doing my binding by sewing both sides with the sewing machine and I too was so far off with the stitching that I thought never again. I love to pull my binding (once it is stitched down) to the back and hand sew it down. I find this very relaxing.

I tend to do either flange bindings or sew from the front and hand stitch the back. This way I always have the perfect binding. I don't like how much longer it takes to do it by hand but worth the outcome.

I really don’t like hand sewing the binding. I sew the binding to the back using exactly 1/4” inch. Then I flip it to the front, and use a blanket stitch to sew it on the front. What I found is that it’s important to only pull it to the front where it just covers the 1/4” stitching line. It also helps to move your needle over so the edge of the binding “rides” right along the inside edge of the #20 foot. And I also use a 2 1/2” binding.

My bindings are similar to Doggramma's with the exception of a couple of things. One is that I use a straight stitch 1/8" in from the edge of the top for the final stitching. Two is that I do just cover the 1/4" stitching on the front with the binding (about 1/8" over), but I add the step that I make sure the back seam is covered with the extra fabric. In other words, I roll all the extra binding fabric to the back so that the binding is full and flat on the front.

I, then use my small Clover Clips to make sure the stitching will be 1/8" in from the fold on the back and the front. My 1/4" foot is one of those cheap ones from Wal Mart and it has the 1/8" leading edge. I use that 1/8" edge to line up on the edge of the top fold and verify with my Clover clips that I am on the binding both front and back with my predicted needle placement and usually love the results. The Clover Clips are what makes this work for me.

I use 2 1/4" binding, sew to the back with a 1/4" seam and then bring it to the front and sew 1/8th" along the edge of the binding. This usually gets me right where I want to be on the back. (Usually, as in about 80% of the time and that's OK with me. If I wanted it perfect, I'd hand sew it. )

Watson

Some really good tips here! My arthritis won’t tolerate hand stitching anything bigger than a mug rug. Like someone else mentioned, after sewing the binding on, I press it to help me keep it in place. I’m nowhere near Watson’s 80%, but working on it.

I like the idea of using the blanket stitch or serpentine stitch.

Make a sample square quilt square to practice the stitch width. I keep my sample by my machine with the setting written on it.The sample is about 7x7 inches.

I use 2 1/4 binding. Sew it on the back of the quilt and bring to the front. One tip is to put a straight pin right into the seam allowance on the back and poke to the front. You will "see" where that back line falls.

If I use binding that is 2 1/2 inches I use a 3/8 seam to sew the binding onto the quilt. When the binding is folded to the front, it is more even.

I love using flange binding too.

anymore i do machine stitching and sew to the front and turn to the back, then take long pins and insert pin along the sewing line on the front, catching the binding on the back. i check every pin to make sure it caught the back. once in awhile i miss a corner a bit and go back and hand stitch that closed. I use clips when hand quilting binding.

I sew the binding on the back first. then do the front trying to make sure the the thread colors match the fabric pretty well I use 2 1/2' use a walking foot and my needle can be moved so adjust that it is not a race but it is faster then hand sewing

I haven't tried it yet (I keep forgetting to try it out) but I like the idea of Donna Jordan's method, using a 2 1/2" binding and a seam allowance in between 1/4" and 1/3", sew the binding to the front, finger or iron press the seam, fold the binding to the back and stitch in the ditch (on the front seam) to sew the binding to the back. Here's her video showing how, you can start at about 11:45 if you don't want to watch the entire process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQgjp4Upt8w

I just watched a video from Missouri Star quilts on binding. she mentioned Appliglue. put tiny line of glue where your binding will fold over and press with hands. then iron it. when dry you can sew. I must look for that!

Sooo many great tips! Thank you all :)

This is basically what I do. After folding to the back & pressing it down, I lift it & use a small line or dots of glue fold binding down again & press. The glue & pressing keeps the binding in place & I rarely missing the back binding. I also use the edge foot to keep a straight line.

Susie, try purchasing a Binding Foot...Makes all the difference in the world. Makes such a pretty binding, & yes sewn on the front.

I bind quilts using the quilt top, extended . I created a tutorial with pictures.

Well duh! I never even thought about that. Thanks! :)

Thanks, Aashley! I appreciate it :)

I cheated and bought a Martelli Seam Guide & Stitch-N-Ditch Binding Foot from Nancy's Notions years ago. Not always perfect but that is okay with me as long as it is stitched on front of the binding. I sew onto the back first and bring to the front.