Binding...
 

I am terrible at binding. Do you focus on getting it even or getting it done. Mine is not the same width on the front and back. I'm debating ripping it out and re-doing it.

I enjoy the binding process. I didn't like the width being different either, so I started cutting my bindings 2 inches wide, instead of 2.5" like most patterns and books instruct you to do.

Keep in mind that you're probably the only person who will care or even notice that the binding has different widths between front and back.

On baby quilts, patterns often call for the binding to be 2 different widths & I like that look. As long as it's a relatively consistent width on the front on all 4 sides, I'd call it a day. And then maybe make some little whole cloth quilts so you can practice binding -- no need to use LQS fabric, just pick something up on clearance at JAF or HL and donate to charity or give to a sweet little one (family or friends). The only reason I'd re-do it is to enter a show or it was wavy or not securely attached. No one started out making perfect quilts (and for that matter, even the most brilliant, award-winning quilts aren't perfect) & I'm of the opinion that the world will go on even if I send a flawed quilt out into it. :p

Before you do any ripping, maybe check out some binding tutorials and see if you can figure out how you can get a result you'll be more pleased with. You don't want to do it over only to have the same problem again. I agree that you're probably the only one who will notice, unless it's for a show.

I wouldn't rip, just do it different next time. Every quilt is a learning experience.

I agree with quiltsRfun. Every quilt has something new and you can learn from it. I doubt if anyone would point that something is wrong with your border(tough not much). I would be happy to get it done and move forward.

Are you hand sewing or machine sewing it? I would hand sew it down and call it a day.

Most of the time now I use 2-1/2" binding. I sew about 3/8" seam and hand sew to the back. It's pretty close to being the same on both sides. If you are worried about losing part of the design, you can always leave a little bit of batting beyond the edge of the quilt to take up that extra space. I haven't been all that satisfied with machine stitched binding unless I take the time to glue baste it down. I prefer the look of the hand sewing, so most of the time that is what I do.

It's supposed to be the same width on both sides??? Says who? I just shoot for a consistent width on the front, with a fully filled binding.

I would only worry about it being the same on both sides if you are entering a show quilt. Mine is always larger on the back. I cut at 2 1/2 wide so I can use the extra as a 2 1/2 strip. I sew at 1/4 inch so I don't cover design on front and flip to the back. If it's for a show, I cut the batting a little out to even up the binding.

My binding is never the same width on both sides...always wider on the back -- I like it that way --- i want to make sure to cover the stitch line and don't want to struggle with it....and i like the wider edging look on the back anyway as my backs are usually a simple tone on tone pattern white or cream fabric. Remember --- there are NO quilt police.

Oh binding how I despise doing you. I use the lets get it done method since I do not enter competitions and they are mostly gifted. I cut my binding at 2.5 inches. I do not iron it, pin it or glue it! I sew it with a 1/4 inch stitch to the back and flip it over and pull the binding to the front and sew it down. Now the quilt is completed and I am ready to move on to the next quilt. I used clear thread sometimes. This technique did not work for a scalloped edge and my girlfriend rescued the finished DWR except for the binding that was thrown in the corner out of frustration and finished the binding by hand for me - thank you Clara Marie :)

I love binding, always handstitch the back (ladder stitch which I learned here.....most things I learn here). I find it relaxing.

It makes a difference if you are doing it totally by machine or hand stitch the back. I wouldn't rip anything out especially if you are a newbie. I use my 1/4" foot for accuracy. Many good sugestion listed above. Good Luck.

I think PaperPrincess' response is perfect! Go with what you have and call it good and finished!

I was helping the judge at a local fair. (I volunteered to help mostly so I could learn from her.) She said that the binding had to be even on each side, but not necessarily the same width on both sides. That was just one judge's opinion, and at the local fair level, but it did assure me that it wasn't a catastrophe if my binding was a little wider on the back.

Sometimes it works for me, and sometimes it doesn't! ~ so when I can, wrapping from the back is my go-to method. Only works when you plan ahead and the back fabric coordinates with the top.

Same question here. I actually sat down and did the math to figure out EXACTLY how wide my seam needed to be and it STILL didn't come out even. So I now concentrate on things being even on the front and even on the back. Whether the binding is the same width front and back is not important to me.

I also cut my binding at 2" wide most of the time. Some times I cut the excess batting a little bit beyond the edge of the quilt when trimming it and let the extra roll into the binding to make it fuller. You can also take a deeper seam allowance to take up the extra binding width. I don't mind the binding being wider on the back side either.

The rhythm of hand sewing binding is so peaceful and usually the last time I get to pet the fabric and reflect on the quilt before it is gifted. It is another ritual that I love about quilting.
peace

Many thanks for all of the suggestions!!

This is how I do it too. The edge of my walking foot is 3/8" so it is easy to use that as a guide. Since most of my quilts have a border on them I don't have to worry about the 3/8" cutting off points and such. I machine stitch it to the front and roll it to the back and hand stitch. The binding on the back is a tad wider than on the front because I want it to cover the stitching and roll nicely at the edge so there is batting all the way to the edge.

Same here. Once I did the binding on the back first. No one knew the difference. First time I ever did a binding and by machine. I use a decorative stitch on the front.

This is the way I cut & attach binding - after making sure quilt is squared up at corners & straight edges on sides, top & bottom.

I helped a judge at our quilt show and what she looked at was if the binding was full and the mitered corners. She never said anything re size difference of front and back. Hope this helps.

Because I want everything to be "perfect" I ended up with quilts, table runners, etc partially done. (Which was depressing to me) I'm almost FINALLY able to do my best at the time, finish the project, know what I want to do better next time and Let It Go!!!! It's a process and I feel good :) No one examines your projects like you do.

I cut my binding strips 2.25, sew 1/4 inch on the front - so it is a bit bigger on the back. I like it to cover the stitches as mentioned by previous QB members.

Never heard of " ladder stitch " Sounds like it could be what I call blanket stitch ?

Done is excellent.

"Even" may never happen. I'm impatient to finish the quilt when I get to binding, so it is extremely unlikely that I would take it off a quilt and start over. It's possible that I would intend to fix it, but so much more likely that I would put it in a safe place and never see it again.

Yes!!!!! I' be gotten better thru time, but my quilts are not for show. Just keep improving and move on. It will get there

No, the ladder stitch is not the same as the blanket stitch. Here is an illustration.

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It's a fantastic stitch to use for EPP, I prefer it over a whip stitch because the stitches don't show.

I was using 2-1/2" binding and finishing it on the back by hand, which definitely looks the best. The other day a lady said that 2-1/4", I assume using the usual 1/4" seam, ends up the same width both front and back, and she can use a decorative machine stitch to end it (no hand work). It looked great when she did it, so I will try with my next project.

Thanks Peggi, I think I have done that one before but never had a name for it. I rarely hand sew binding now as the neuropathy in my hands too bad. I do hand sew on a label on the back, so may do this stitch for it.

I also have gone to 2" and I LOVE doing the hand work on the binding. If it's something I've enjoyed, it makes me a little sad that I know my last stitch of the binding is really the LAST.

I cut my strips 2 3/4". Sew a little wider on the top and have plenty of fabric to cover my stitch line.
I hand stitch my bindings and I found that the first time I sewed a binding on (cut 2 1/4"), I struggled to cover the stitch line and also felt that it made the binding curve towards the back of the quilt. With the wider strip, it avoids the pulling towards the back. It works for me.