I know I should never say never, but it'll be a LONG time before I attempt binding again. Fact of the matter, I suck at it!! lol It took me all day and it still looked sad. I won't even take a picture of it like I do all the others I've done.

Would you pick up a paint brush and expect a Rembrandt the first time you put the brush to canvas?

Which part are you having trouble with?
Maybe some one here might help or there are some great tutorials on you tube, try googling binding a quilt.
Could you take it down to your LQS and ask them for advice?

Nice one! I'll remember that, hopefully.

Hey, I like it!!

I have found that doing a two inch binding (double fold) sew to the front side and then hand stitch on the back looks the best...I also hate binding....I like machine sewing it but looks better when I hand do it. I am going to start doing a few of the pillow quilts or as some call it birthing a quilt. No binding...

Isn't there a way to do it by pulling the backing around to the front?

I would like to thank those who helped me online last night. I would recommend NOT getting "The Binding Tool" which I purchased from Missouri Quilt Company, hoping it would help. What a mess. My binding had just a little extra fabric so that when I tried to finish it off at the end there were some pleats of fabric. Then, because the ends had already been cut I just could not get them to come together correctly. When I finally followed the excellent directions at heatherbailydesign.com, my edges had been cut so that now, although the binding set nicely, it was no longer even and I could not sew it on without a hole in the front. I am now in the process of piecing in a new section of binding so I can follow those same directions and get the binding to work! I did find other helpful directions at quiltinggallery.com. Someone named Sharon Schamber gave good directions there and I followed them (except for gluing) and got what should be nice corners. Too bad I didn't follow her to the end. All the folding at the end and gluing led me to remember the instant and easy success promised on the Missouri Quilting site. Lesson learned!

I took a binding class, I do it really well, and it is satisfying. Don't give up! Find a teacher-buddy. I am not a great quilter (yet) but I can really do binding! You can do it too!

My friend does that and loves it...I couldn't figure it out right. I did a placement and came out ok..but not great so I went back to the method I knew. There has to be an easier way...my husband also bought me a binding tool for my quilt so that you sew both sides at the same time...I just haven't figured it out yet.

I'm right there with you! I made a set of placemats for my sister and have been lollygagging about doing the binding. I decided yesterday that I would not do another thing (including cooking supper!) until I get them done. So the upshot is I have sewn the binding on the front of two, but the second one is giving me fits where you put the two end together. I don't know why it is so hard for me. There are several tutorials here. In fact I followed one of them for the first mat. Now I have to find the tute for the rest of them.

If I can't even bind a place mat, how am I ever going to do a quilt? It's very discouraging?

These videos really helped me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related

I watched these 2 over and over. Problem is, I couldn't see it very well. Her hands were in the way. lol I think this is one of those things I need someone to teach me in person.

I didn't find those videos helpful as they don't go into detail on the important areas, the corners and the end. Again, try these links:
http://quiltinggallery.com/2008/05/1...s-school-glue/
and http://www.heatherbaileydesign.com/HB_QuiltBinding.pdf
They have helped me a lot.

I send the binding with the quit to the LA and all I have to do is stitch the back when I get it back from her...she doesnt charge much to do it and its worth it to me not to have to go through all the headaches. I will eventually do my own but start with something small...

I thought connecting the beginning/end was the hardest until worked on getting it folded over the back and sewed down.

Don't give up as binding your quilt is the most rewarding part of quilting cos you know you are on the finishing part.

Visit this site: http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.ne...gYourQuilt.htm lots of useful information there, it helped me a lot when I first started quilting, and they even send you files of many of the quilting techniques, tips and measurements etc; I have a huge folder of them :thumbup:

I took a class at my LQS and learned how to do both kinds of binding, the 2 1/2" binding sewn on the front and folded to the back and mitered. The other one was having a whole piece of fabric and folding it to the front. I love binding and that Missouri Star Quilt Tool, don't throw it away. It makes a great template for a friendship braid quilt.

I'll have to look up that friendship braid. It's also a reminder to me to not look for gimmicks that promise too much! :)

The hardest part for me was how to join the ends of the double fold binding, and this site has great instructions and pictures. I printed it out and use it every time I do binding, and it always turns out great. I, too, machine sew it to the front and hand stitch to the back. Every time I try to do it all on the machine, it looks terrible.

http://pir8.freeservers.com/quilting...ding/index.htm

Missouri Star Quilt Company has a tutorial on how to use the binding tool as a template, too. Sometimes we expect too much out of an item. I love watching how my corners come out so nice and neat. It didn't happen overnight but was a work in progress. I will get about 5 quilts ready to bind all at the same time and that is my handwork for Sunday. I don't know where you live, but you may benefit having someone work with you and show you how to bind minus the tool. There is another tool that works better. Just what you need -- another tool. :lol:

Thanks for the link, I printed it and will share with others.

Okay- so this is THE one! (from King's Daughter)
http://pir8.freeservers.com/quilting...ding/index.htm
Thank you so much! This is so clear !! :thumbup:

I really like this video. It's very basic (she talks about pretty side and ugly side of fabric) and helped me do my binding without ever taking a class. I didn't do the glue though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZR6ls_IsIo

Good luck!

Great site for bringing binding over from the back.

http://www.lorettaalvarado.com/binding.htm

I am a newbie to quilting and i have tried several different ways to bind. I can tell each time i get just a bit better, so give yourself some time. On my current project i am going to try to bind this way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c85voeoj50Y

The first time I added binding to a quilt I followed the instructions in one of Eleanor Burns' books. Her instructions are fantastic. Really easy to do perfect binding every time.

I think ya'll just might have convinced me not to give up. I'm going to work on a table runner in the next day or so, I might give it another try.

Thanks!!!

Check out my binding instructions on QuiltersTV and under Quilters Cafe. The binding show is still airing. I am told it is very good instructions.....lol.
One thing I have learned in working with these instructions is absolute need for accuracy in seam allowances. I am heading to Atlanta next month to do more taping for QuiltersTV and will expand on the binding show.
After you get to QuiltersTV search for my name and Binding.
Holice Turnbow

Don't give up! It really does get easier, the more you do it. Just like everything else, I guess! I'm hoping that one day, I won't even have to look at the directions! :roll:

The tutorial here on Binding 5 easy steps really helped me. My first few attempts were nothing to brag about but with a little practice you will be fine.

This tute shows from beginning to end. I use this every time and I have never had a problem. The pocket you make at the front is the greatest. No having to get the perfect measurement.

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/vid...ilt&FORM=VIRE1

Absolutely!!! Do it whenever I think I can pull it off depending on the quilt & backing. ( Mitering the corners is a snap too! )

I had instructions for binding my first quilt because I was taking lessons, but I learned to connect ends by trial and error. I have also had a lot of tips from other classes and my quilt guild. I do a great binding and I really love to do binding. I like the relaxing hand sewing and I haven't mastered hand quilting, so I have to do it on binding.
Just keep at it and you will get it. Tutes are good, but no substitute for in person instruction IMHO. I find it hard to see on the computer and want more that one angle.

Thanks, that's a great tute...I'm going to try the pocket method next time.
Connecting Threads has some good stuff.

I'm glad you're not giving up! To date, I have made 5 quilts. The first and second had beautiful bindings! Really, I was impressed with myself and didn't understand what the big deal was and why so many people had trouble with it. The third and fourth were both awful. What I discovered is that I *really* need to take my time with it, make sure everything is straight, and my seam allowance is accurate. It was harder for me to slow down and pay attention to it when I was "this close" to finishing and I just wanted it DONE. But when I did my fifth binding, I really focused on it and took my time, and it turned out the best of all of them. Lesson learned. Keep it up, you'll get better at it. Practice might not make perfect, but it will make darn close! :D

don't give up, u tube has some really good tutorials. Or maybe your lqs would have a class on it or if you have a local guild ask someone to help you. We quilters are always willing to help out newbies.

I have always hate the binding part. I do pretty well with it, but its not my favorite part of quilting.

When I started quilting a couple of years ago, I hated binding, too. Then my daughter gave me the Fons and Porter binding tool in a sewing basket she put together for my Christmas present. OMG! It solved all my problems and I told her it was the best gift I've ever gotten! Keep trying different methods, watch videos, etc. Once I "got it", binding has become my favorite part of the process!

That was really a great binding tute. Thanks so much!