Binding question
 

I was just wondering why people use the binding clips. Why not just fold it over as you sew? Am I doing it wrong?

No you are not doing it wrong. Some quilters like to hold the binding in place with the clips as they hand sew.
I don't. they just get in my way.

I use them for machine binding for two reasons. One because for some reason all the jostling of the quilt can move the binding just slightly so that as I got further down on sewing the binding, it would be off a little and then I would have the front or back stretched more than the other side of the binding. Now, I put the clips on after making sure it is straight, then use Elmers school glue along the edge and iron it down. I only need a few clips when actually taking it to the machine. I will say it is downright perfect every time when I do this. I use 2 1/2 - 3" bias binding strips, no smaller. So stretching may not be a problem if they were smaller. I don't know. The binding clips have line measurements on them so the binding is the exact width all around the quilt. It is quick to keep measuring this way to make sure it isn't 'off'. This is also why I use them.

I don't use them either. Sometimes I'll use washable glue, but most of the time I fold the binding over as I go. I use one or two of those bendable hair clips, which I get at the dollar store. Some people like those binding clips, but to me it's an unnecessary expense.

If you don't use something like clips, pins, or glue it is too easy to stretch the binding and have 'lumps' in the finished product. this is especially true if you do a bias binding. It might not matter as much on smaller quilted items.

ali

Yep, me, too. And I don't pin or clip all of the binding on when I machine sew the front on either, just lay it on as I sew. Never had a wrinkle or bulge that way.

ditto. but I can see how they are handy in various situations when you don't want to pin.

I use them before sewing to roughly check that I'm not going to end up with a binding join right on my corner - which I hate!

WHen I don't use the clips I have to tug the binding in place for every bit. When I use the clips the binding lays nice and flat where I need to sew.

What a great idea!!!! It seems no matter what I do, i wind up with a join on the corner. Then I have to stop, make a join further down so I can move the seam. I can't get the corner to lay flat if there's a seam there.