I have found that if you cut your binding fabric 2 3/4 it is easier to put on. Also I was taught to pin on the binding before sewing so that you make sure that the joining peices are not on the corners. Also A professional quilter told me that she always hand sews binding on unless she is doing a kids quilt. she also stitches binding to front and then turns to back and stitches. Also method of turning backing to front for binding works and is easy but only if you want your binding to match the backing. Good luck!

Thanks for the link, Holice. I found our episode, I'm off to watch it. Do you handstitch or machine?

Yes, of course you can. I do my machine binding that way - always. I sew it to the back - the same way as anyone would sew it to the front. Then fold it to the front. Once it's been pressed really well, then I go over it again using Sharon Schamber's method of using school glue to hold it. You have to use a very thin line of glue - so put it in a special bottle with a steel "pin hole" top that you can get a Michaels in the porcelain painting area.
Do a bit at a time, glue it and set it with the dry iron. This washes out with absolutely no residue.
Now the fun part. If you don't like straight topstitching, use a feather stitch or a blanket stitch over the edge of the binding on the front. Presto!

If you have a friend or fellow quilter that lives close to you, maybe she can help. Sometimes it just feels akward but then when you are shown it makes perfect sense. I must be a little strange but binding is my favorite part of the quilting. Find it so relaxing and also cuz the quilt is finally almost done.

Oddly enough, I feel the same way. The first quilt I made for someone else (the reason I bought my new machine in 2009), was a special baby quilt, using squares contributed by members of my church. I was/AM such a novice and beginner, and made it so much harder on myself than it would have been if I had just known what I was doing. I basically reinvented the wheel. So lots of mistakes, but it still did turn out really cute. But with all that, I was very happy with the binding. I looked at lots of directions, both in books and online, took my time, and this was the first one that I hand sewed it to the back, and that made a huge difference. Really the binding for me was the best part of that whole quilt!

I know some on this board do not like Sharon Schamber's method of using Elmer's School Glue, but I find it makes the job of binding much easier -- no pins to deal with. Since using Sharon's glue method and Kitsie's perfect binding tutorial (http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-51632-1.htm), my bindings have turned out perfect.

The only quilter friend I know does her binding by folding over from the backing. I don't mind this method, but I'm determined to master the other way too. There are many Iowans here on this board, but I havn't found any very close to me.

Evie, I can't get your link to work. Am I doing it wrong?

It seems to be the right link. You can find it by looking in the Tutorials section. Also, this is the same one I linked to here:
http://pir8.freeservers.com/quilting...ding/index.htm

Do a search for the "Cut-Rite Bind Up Tool". I couldn't do a binding to save my soul. This tool is inexpensive and easy to use. There is a video tutorial to show you how. (I'd find it for you, bit I'm on my iPad which makes it a bit of a process.) I love this tool. It has solved my binding problems.

Fixed the link that didn't work.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-51632-1.htm

How'd you do that? And why didn't it work? Just curious! :D

I learned this trick from a "setting a zipper" tutorial on line and use it for almost EVERYTHING now!

Use a standard glue stick (4 for $1 in the Dollar Tree) and run a light line of it on the wrong side of the border. With a hot, dry iron, tack the border in place and sew!
No pin bumps to contend with and no shifting of the border!

The link that didn't work had a ), at the end of the link, took that out and the link worked fine :)

Oops! thanks for fixing it!

My quilts have been for me only and I sew the binding to the back. Fold it over to the front and then very slowly and closely sew the front seam. The corners I fold onto themselves. Works for me.
Rita PS - Even if I did make a quilt to give away, I'd probably do the same.

I'm another one who is not a great quilter yet (in 3.5 years I STILL have not done any serious FM quilting - it scares me to death). But binding?? I can bind a quilt like a house a-fire, and I enjoy it. I can't use a thimble though, so have to have those little leather stick on the end of your finger things, and they are getting wicked hard to find. But I do love the binding process.

One of the best binding tutorials (video) ever at: http://sewfunwiththesecretcloset.blo...e-binding.html

It has the best pictures, directions, and does not move so fast as to miss the really important stuff. Also, it shows a couple of alternate methods, both of which work really well. Give it a look-see, I think you'll be most pleasantly surprised.

Sharon Schamber's youtube tutorial with school glue is awesome. It completely washes out and makes binding so much easier. I cut 2 1/2 inch strips, fold in half and iron. It makes perfect binding.
Debi

I guess I'm just crazy but I think the binding is my favorite part. I do it all on the machine without a binding tool and it probably wouldn't pass muster for most quilters but I think it looks just fine.

I think perhaps the reason I like it so much is because this is the last step in completing my quilt. But honestly I find it pretty easy and fun.

I know, I'm warped! :-)

(sorry Grandma Peg, I just saw your post where you said the very same thing. Except for the crazy/warped thing. haha)

Don't give up!! I wish I was closer so I could sit with you and show you how! I have found the best method is to use a 2 inch strip, join the strips on the bias and fold them in half. When you start (in the centre of the side of your project) start about 1 inch in (leaving the 1 inch at the start free. When you come around to the end, you will fold this raw edge under 1/2 inch and tuck the "end" under it. Make sense? When you have finished sewing, press the binding towards the outside. Fold it around to the back and lightly press again. Pin using binding clips (they are also used for girls' hair barrettes) so you don't get poked by straight pins. Sew by hand to the back. It sounds like a lot of work, but trust me, I've tried to take shortcuts and it never turns out right. I hope this helps you. Please don't give up - after you have got onto it, you will be happy that you stuck with it and you will have beautifully bound projects!! Good luck!

That is one of the best videos I've seen. It was so easy to see what she was doing. Thanks!!!

I always sew my binding on the back side by machine and then fold it over and machine sew it on the front side. Use a straight stitch or a decorative stitch.
For something very special, I sew by machine on to the front then hand sew the back.
your corners will get better over time.

When you hand stitch binding on a quilt. What kind of stitches do you do?

I have tried all sorts of binding, and didn't mind any of them , but my very favorite is working with the angle finder from Creative grids. With this method you do not work with a long binding strip you cut 4 strips one or each side of your quilt. by doing this you stitch at the corners and have perfect corners. You also do not have to do that final join at the end. below is the link It is better if you can get someone to demo it for you. wish I lived closer http://www.checkerdist.com/_divs/_vi...?videoID=CGRAF

LOL. I dont know what you call it. It is an invisible stitching where you catch the edge of the binding and the fabric behind it. Maybe someone else knows the name for it.

toodie11,
Does this work for 90 degree angles too? The video seems to imply that it does not.

Binding survival tips....Cut bias strips 2.5 inches wide, (some use 2.25), press and use spray sizing to fold in half. align the cut edge with the cut edge of the quilt top, and stitch 1/4 inch from edge. Using small binder clip, (I use 10, and move them as i stitch) roll the fold over the cut edges and blind stitch down to back. Using the bias means you don't have all the twisting as you sew it down. Easy Cheesy. I hated doing binding until I learned this method. They call it french binding. Good Luck.

sharon shambers method works, don't knock it if you haven't tried it. if you don't know, sharon is probably the worlds best quilter. try her web site. she has many free tuts

My problem with glue is that I get more on me than the project. I did try to glue a binding. Got the glue all over the quilt. After I cleaned up what I could, I ironed the binding and it held nicely. If only it weren't so messy! I don't know how she is so neat.

try the bottle caps that she uses. it made all the difference when i got them, found them at micheals.

I have binded one and will not do that again. It looked terrible. I send mine to a wonderful lady in Louisville, KY and she does a wonderful job as well as quilts my quilts for me. I've been trying to learn maching quilting but I have a long way to go. This was my latest for my son who just got his Masters from Clemson University.

It took me several years to make my binding look presentable. Practice, practice and more practice. I always machine sew it on and hand stitch on the back. :-D :-D :-D

We all need to remember that it took us a year or more to learn to walk, and that was with practicing every single day. And some of us still walk funny.

I took a binding class too and I love binding my quilts. I take my time hand stitching the back down. For me, it's my time to say good bye to my quilt.

I liked Sharon Schamber's instructions too. I also lloved gluing the binding! It works really well!

I couldn't do binding either until I got a DVD and book called Sew PRECISE, Sew Fast, Machine Binding from Quilters Touch and my binding looks great front and back everytime. I am a visual learner so I wanted the DVD, but now that I know what to do I use the book when I forget something.

I was the very same way in the beginning, please just practice it really is doable. Now I can make it and get it on a small piece before I leave for work in the morning, and honestly enjoy the process.

Yes but just not the same look.

I'm a new quilter and for now most of my quilts are for family,friends or myself... I seriously had no interest in hand stitching anything lol..Most important to me is durability..
The first binding I did I cut my binding width way larger than most say to do( about 4" ), on purpose...I figured I'd rather wrestle with technique as opposed to wrestling with that lil bit of fold over material.. I sewed it to the back/wrong side, flipped it to the front- bringing it down about one full inch below the previously sewn line and sewed a way...And actually it looks like it was done on purpose (part of the quilting)
Next quilt, I cut the binding strip a lil smaller.. It doesnt look as nice..but, I honestly think that's do to my quilt sandwich not being truly square(the real problem I have- uugh, hate squaring up a quilt)I'll keep searching for a really good tutorial for a fully sewn on binding till I find it as well as squaring up lol...
However, my main goal is to eventually do artsy wall hangings and possibly/eventually enter a few in some shows...When it comes time to do that I'll use Sharon Schamber's tut ( she mentions that her binding method scores high points at shows with the picky judges)
Only thing I would change with her method is about the glue...I found using bottled glue messy and not easily controlled and washable elmers glue sticks to be awesome...I don't apply the glue in a straight line all the way down the side of the quilt... I dot it down...It stays put just as well and is easier to re-adjust if you mess up..Now If they would just come out with a glue stick the size of a pencil I'd be thrilled lol
EDIT: (Like I need to talk more ha!)---- Holice, I'm on my way to check out your binding tut now..I love some of your stuff such as your avater. Whiiich I totally think you need to do a tut on ( lil grin)