do you hate hand sewing down your binding
 

Recently I saw a post on this forum about a way to machine stitch your binding down. I was a little skeptical because I have tried many suggestions without much success . Anyway, I decided it was worth a try. I had difficulty finding the foot for my machine, but Brubakers came thru and found one in their odds and ends, (apparently Pfaff has discontinued this foot) I tried it yesterday and it WORKS, it really works.I am so excited, my binding looked beautiful and it was so fast. Here is the link. Check it out. http://awomanaday.com/2013/01/17/hap...nding-edition/

I actually enjoy sewing the binding by hand. It's probably the only hand sewing I do and I find it relaxing.

Interesting method, but, I too enjoy sewing the binding by hand. Mindless and relaxing to me.

] I hate any kind of hand sewing, I will hand finish binding if I absolutely have to. I found this link [URL="http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/free-tutorial---susies-magic-binding.htm" [/URL for a wonderful way to finish by machine. I will try my flat felt foot, but I have done several with this method and have been extremely pleased!

Another that doesn't mind the hand sewing of binding. Then again, I hand quilt as well. Just like hand work.

I actually like the hand sewing also. I do it in the evenings while watching TV because I need something to do with my hands and not just sit there staring. I will check out these methods but will probably keep on with what I'm doing. I bought a bunch of Americana quilting thread and it is the worst thing I've ever used. Knots up constantly even after running it through the thread conditioner. I use won't be buying that again.

It does not bother me at all. In fact I like to make a game out of it. I place a pin in it at a certain time, and see how much I can get done in 10 or 20 minutes.

For me, hand sewing the binding is my own 'personal touch' to the quilt. I find it relaxing!

Found this foot for viking on ebay. After watching the video I had to try it. I don't sew by hand and this foot is really great. Be sure it's for your machine and a 9MM.

I hate hand sewing. I sew the binding to the back, flip it to the front, glue/press it into place and use my zipper foot to sew it from the front. It's a little more work but the results are worth it.

Cari

No, because I like the look of hand sewing and I know that if I tried it by machine, my stitching would look horrid. Glad you found something that works for you..

I only hate it when I have to absolutely finish a quilt because of a deadline. Otherwise I find it quite relaxing as well, just sitting there, watching a few series...

To me, the quilt is instantly worth less when someone doesn't care enough to handstitch the binding. I know others may differ, but that's how I feel on the topic.

I have carpal tunnel syndrome so I only hand sew if it's small and not practical to machine sew. Otherwise I machine sew. It has nothing to do with how much I care-it would take me months just to do the binding alone. And I disagree that the quilt is instantly worth less. What a crappy thing to say.

Ditto! I love the binding process. And Gaga, I love your signature statement. Ditto for me on that too!

I love the part of hand sewing the binding down. I do like to hand sew but for some reason that is about all the hand sewing I do any more.

I, too, love hand sewing my binding! I pop in a movie, or watch football with my DH while doing it. I find it to be relaxing. However, I know that not everyone enjoys hand sewing. If doing your binding by machine is what you want to do then, by all means, do it that way!

Me too, except if I do too many in a row my fingers get sore. I have tried machine sewing binding and find it very frustrating.

I can hand sew the binding but don't like to. And I know sewing it by machine is much stronger than my hand sewing. Most of my quilts go to charity and I expect they are washed frequently. If I did the binding by hand, I expect the binding would eventually fall apart :( I will agree, it looks better when done by hand but it doesn't bother me enough to actually do it by hand.

Me too! I don't do any other hand sewing but I like sewing the binding. Guess partly because I know this means that quilt is almost done..

Not all of us are physically able to do hand stitching, so I get pretty irritated when someone implies I don't care about a quilt I am making if I don't hand stitch the binding. The arthritis and carpal tunnel (both!) in my hands just won't let me do quality hand work, and I am not going to do lousy hand work. I sew my bindings to the back, flip them over, and then do a decorative stitch to attach the front. My favorite is a feather stitch, but I have used others. Sewn this way they are robust and easy to care for. Most people comment very positively on the decorative stitching too.

Note the main charity I quilt for, Quilts for Kids, requires machine sewing on bindings because it stands up to the hospital washing machines.

Pam

I enjoy hand stitching the binding. It's the final step to a finished quilt!

Unfortunately some people have arthritis and can't do a lot of hand sewing. Who are you to judge people and how well their quilts are made. We do the best we can for the hobby we love to do.

I will try this the next binding I do. A lot of the time I will use a decorative stitch to sew the binding have half the stitch on the quilt and half on the binding. I then do another of the same stitch on the binding itself. I don't use overly stuffed binding for this. I started to use only bias binding too. It doesn't wear away as fast as straight gain binding. It's as easy to make it bias as cutting strips using this method.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7iTP1MSsY

What a joyless way to feel.

I think you haven"t quilted enough to say someone doesn't care enough or make the quilt instantly worthless. Ask the people who have lost their home or are sick and have been given quilts made with binding completely sewn on, whether they think the quilts are worthless. Like others have said sometimes it is necessary to bind by machine.

I love all hand work, and am grateful I'm able to sew by hand even with arthritis.

I whole heartedly agree. Pretty judgementalcomment

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I think it could have been expressed in a less rude and hurtful way.

I, for one, think this method is worth a try. I am no fan of hand sewing binding, but have yet to find a machine method I like the looks of. I'll give this one a try and see how it goes.

I used to do kind of like this until I found this method:
http://piraterodgers.com/tutorials/cbt/index.htm
With this method you end up with the strips already sewn together so it's one long strip of binding. It's only hard the first time you do it, after that it's a piece of cake. I'm in love with striped bias binding so I buy several 1/2yds at a time and do them up ahead of time. When I need binding I just go to my drawer and find one in the right color.

Cari

I could kiss you. No seriously this looks like something that will save me a lot of time. I don't mind hand sewing a binding and like the results but the time it takes bothers me. So I will look for a foot for my machine and try this. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thanks for the link! I know there are some quilts I would prefer to machine bind and this method would be really helpful.

I love hand sewing also. I read an artical not too lond ago, that said it was healthy also, relaxes and can lower blood pressure!!

I love sewing binding but I do want to look into and try this foot for my Bernina. Sometimes I just want something done quick when I need it fast. Thanks for the link.
peace

I too really like putting the binding on my hand as it's the last step and now the quilt is done! It also neatens and finishes the quilt edge and makes it look great. However, your method is great and thank you for sharing it--I think it would work great just from looking at the photos. Would be good for placemats, etc. Thanks for taking the time to post the method.

I don't really care for it, but I want my quilts to look nice so I do it anyway. Gotten pretty fast with the ladder stitch so its not too bad to do. I just can't make it look right on the machine. I figure its just one of those things and deal with it.

[QUOTE=SweatyPie;6888156]To me, the quilt is instantly worth less when someone doesn't care enough to handstitch the binding. I know others may differ, but that's how I feel on the topic.[/QUOT

I have a different opinion. Quilts are about the intent of the creator to complete a vision. I am sure the recipients of my quilts would differ on your opinion as well.

I enjoy hand binding. It's relaxing, I get to be in the same room with my hubby and son, watch TV while being productive, and so far have found it much neater than machine results when I do it.

Normally I like to hand stitch the binding on my quilts. I've never found a method of machine stitching that looks good on both sides when finished. I am going to try this method though. If it turns out as good as pictured that is what I will do on Project Linus quilts. Thanks for the link!

Thank you for this information. I like to sew my binding by hand, I also find it relaxing. But, until I have surgery to correct the arthritis in my thumbs I am severely restricted in hand sewing--- much too painful at this time.