I want to just machine bind my quilts. I really don't have a lot of interest in hand stitching the back binding down. (Call me impatient.....)

My question is this: how do I cut/measure the binding strips such that when I sew the folded piece to the front and then bring the fabric to the back, the width is about the same on both sides of the fabric? I need numbers!!!!

Does this make sense? Surely there is a way. I have a 2.5 inch strip on a quilt now, and want to sitd on the front to catch the back but cannot do it because the back is wider than the front and I would end up stitching onto the quilt front.

Sorry, hope this isn't confusing anyone. I'm still a newbie.

:)

Can you trim the seam allowance a little bit to allow more of the binding to reach the back?

I suggest you sew the binding to the BACK and bring it to the front, then stitch it down on the front. That way if the back is a bit off it won't be so noticeable.

Look at Eddies tutorial on scalloped borders and binding. He sews on the front, pulls the binding to the back and machine stitches in the ditch on the front to catch the back.

Now that just might work....! Why didn't I think of that?

But is there a number/formula that would work if I didn't attach it to the back instead, as mamagus suggested?

If you use a 2/5" strip, and a 1/4" seam you should have plenty to wrap around and stitch down.

You could use a decorative stitch and the front and back would both look good.

I bind most of my quilts by machine. I machine them onto the back, bring the binding to the front,then all you need to do is a neat row all the way round! It looks nice with a decorative stitch too.

Karen xx

I guess next time I'll sew the binding on to the back of the quilt first.

Thanks!