I hate doing the bindings, mostly because I can't get the corners to lay or look good. I even took a class and that didn't help either. I have 3 baby quilts waiting for the binding. Maybe I'll just start another so I don't have to do the bindings.

Why not attach binding to the BACK of the quilt, then turn it to the front and machine sew it down with a little decorative stitch?

Jan in VA

I hate bindings...I have a very hard time with them:(

I think this might be the one you asked about. http://www.quilterstv.com/video/1618...e-turnbow.html

if you cut your binding 2 1/2 then it needs more than a 1/4" seam allowance to fit perfectly. 2 1/4 is better. However, test to see what width and seam allowance will give you the look and size you need. When I do 2 1/2" my seams are usually abut 3/8".
Best way to test is to measure your folded binding and divide by 1/3. This will give you a more accurate seam allowance. If you have to abide by a 1/4" seam because of piecing on tip then you should cut your binding a little less. However, I have seen many bindings that were wider on the back than front. However, since you say "the seam appears good but back isn't" that makes me wonder if the seam allowance is realy consistent.

I, too, love Sharon Schamber's method using Elmer School Glue. Bindings come out beautifully with perfect mitered corners!

I used to hate bindings too. I made a Hawaiian quilt by Nancy Chong of Pacific Rim Quilting and it came with a DVD. She is a wonderful teacher. So now, when it comes to binding, I just put in that DVD for a refresher course... because my mind doesn't retain things as it used to... seems like it's a long time between bindings! :roll: They go on so easily now. I cut my binding at only 1 3/4". She shows how to make mitred corners, and finish it so it lays nice and flat... no bunching, no pulling. I have not seen the tutes on you tube, or looked at the other links yet, but will do that. I'm always open to new ideas, although the way I learned is so darn easy! Love doing the bindings now. And those clippies are the greatest, instead of using pins. Love them! :thumbup: The glue thing sounds good too. Will look into that!

my problem with the bindings is getting my fingers poked and the thread popping threw the binding on the back because i didn't check to make sure the needle didn't go all the way threw. I think that I am in the minority here,but I do like hand binding on the back. mostly because I don't have to pull out the sewing machine and set everything up. and my hubby doesn't complain about the noise while he is playing his computer games or watching TV. I wouldn't say that it is my favorite part but it is up there. I think that i need to learn how to hand quilt one of these days. it looks really relaxing to me.

That is basically the way I do it after sewing the binding on. But I'm working on a 3 years olds quilt and my DH and I can't make up our minds what color binding, so I just thought I'd to it the way to tut shows and see how I like that. Thanks for sharing that.

I just mastered the miter corner and find it sooo easy now. I've got my placemats layed out to try the glue technique on the back before I sew it down. I rewatched the tute from this site again this AM and am ready to give it a go. Wish me luck!!!!!

That is how I do it, but I trim the batting to the edge.
How do you treat the mitred corner? Do you still stitch up to 1/4" before the end of the corner seam?

I love doing the binding. I never cut it narrower than 2.5 inches, and I like 3.5" even better. Doubled, I machine stitch it to the front, and have a generous amount to turn over. The wider binding looks lush to me, and it's very easy to work with. Also, I cut on the crosswise grain, just like other strips. IMHO, There is no reason do do bias binding unless you have a curved edge.

Bindings do get better.... I cut mine 2-1/4", fold in half, press, then sew it to the back. Then sew it to the front, and I am done! My hands can't take all that hand sewing, and I also don't have the patience--I want it done!

i've been quilting on and off for about 10 years (yikes) and the other day when i was sewing on the binding i was shocked to find that wow, this was getting easier, and brace yourself, easier! hooray!
plus for most people it's not gonna take 10 years give or take! :)
all the best to binding! and hooray for walking foots, they help me so much in this process.
a

[quote=retired2pa]I guess I must be nuts but I love doing the binding :) I use to hate it and dreaded getting to that point because I could never make a nice "ending" where the 2 ends are joined together. It was always sloppy or lumpy. Then I came across this web by Connecting Threads and it was so simple I wondered why I was having such a hard time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buCKs...eature=related

Thank you for this tut. I always have trouble joining the ends, despite trying various methods, this has to be the "binding for dummies" version.

thank you so much for this site tutorial. :-D
I am going to make some pot holders as a surprise for a very nice lady that gifted me with a cd to quilt to.
I'll show her how inspiring the music is :thumbup:

I still have a quilt I made almost 6 years ago, it's all quilted and I still haven't finished the binding. I hate binding more than anything I can think of, lol.

That's exactly how I do it as well......I love the look of having that little bit extra fullness in the binding. I just LOVE doing the binding - it's my favourite part!!!!

Practice, practice and more practive. Then try suggested diffrent ways until you find what works for you. To have the miters down is quite an achievement so the binding should follow.

I love Sharon Schambers tricks on binding. Watch it on You Tube and don't miss the way she puts her quilt sandwich together. I think that one is titled basting your quilt. She is amazing. When putting you quilt sandwich together someone else suggested using spray glue, With that You could put the quilt together in 15+-minutes total.

I use the Binding Gizmo and my binding comes out perfect every time. Nadeen

I've always used the french bias binding method using 2" bias cut fabric - folding the bias strip in half, machine sewing the binding to the front, turning & hand stitching to the back. But then I'm a hand quilter also. I just got this link today - after seeing one of our charity quilts w/this method used on Tuesday. Looks really good, plus it's all machine done.

Here's a link to the faux corded binding tutorial

http://tlcstitches.blogspot.com/2010...-tutorial.html

really loved this faux corded look, when I do my next runner I am going to try it... jacie

No, but I learned to have more patience.

Holice did a great tutorial that is playing on Quilters TV--I just checked and it is still on. He has solved many of my problems. Thanks Holice.

My quilting teacher gave us a formula for figuring out the width you will need for a double binding. 6 times your width + 1/4."
If you are using a 1/2 in binding you will cut fabric strips 3 inches + 1/4 ". Press the strip in half. Then use a 1/2 inch seam.
If you want an inch wide binding cut your strips 6 inches +1/4" fold in half and press and your seam will be 1 inch wide. You will have a beautiful look on the front of the quilt and when you turn it over to the back side you can hand stitch it or machine stitch it. I prefer hand stitching It has always worked out well for me.
MNM

I also love doing the binding on quilts - I cut 2-1/2" and use my walking foot to sew it on the front with about a 3/8" seam. It just covers the back seam when I turn it - I sew the back on by hand because I find it very relaxing to do while I'm watching tv.

What a great tutorial thank you for sharing it. You've proven even a mistake of 1" is not a devastating goof. As a novice I love all the short cuts you vets share with us.

Andie

As someone said, when you find what suits you best, it will become much easier. When stitching the binding by hand I cut mine 2 1/4 inches, but when machine binding, I cut 3 inches. The trick for me is to be sure it is starched really well. I starch before folding in half. By doing this, when you fold it, the binding just sticks to itself making for really easy ironing.

I'm one of those crazy ones who loves doing the binding.....
I cut 2 1/2", double fold, sew the raw edge to the front with a 1/4" seam, mitering the corners......turn to the back and hand sew..I also love to have the extra on the back..I think that the bit of wider binding at the back does indeed look better. And yes, I always cut on the cross grain also...I agree that unless you have a curve to sew, no need to use up all of that extra yardages cutting on the bias....

I cut my bindng strips 2 3/4". Use the walking foot as a guide for the seam width, which is a little over a quarter-inch seam. When I wrap the seam to the back it is a little wider than the wrap from the top. This makes it nice for stitching in the ditch if I care to do that OR I can hand stitch.

After the cutting and piecing process, binding is up there on my list. It's a good feeling to know that I'm almost done with this quilt.

I would love to do it this way, and even tried it once, but my sandwich is never quite square, so i dont think it will ever work for me! ha ha!

Another weirdo who likes doing binding here. Yesterday I ran across these things called Zip Clips. They are in a cute little device (looks like a Pez dispenser) and it spits out these little metal clips that hold your binding in place...no pins! I've used the glue, but I think this will be even quicker!

I love the faux cording binding tute. Thanks so much for posting that!

I cut my strips anywhere from 1 7/8" to 2 1/2"...it all depends what type of batting I am using and how thick it is. Cut the strips a little wider, too, if you want a wider finished binding. The general rule is to cut the strips about six times the width of the finished binding that you want. This is for a double fold French binding. Remember to sew a 1/4" seam for a finished 1/4" binding...a 1/2" seam for a finished 1/2" binding...a 3/4" seam for a finished 3/4" binding...etc. I have evan made a 3" flange for a throw pillow with this binding method.

i like a 3" cut, folded in half. i sew it on the right side of the quilt with my walking foot using a 1/4 in. seam. then hand sew in down on the back. sometimes with a gift quilt, or one that i know is going to be washed lots, and loved lots i will zig zag it to the back. sewing carefully and straight. makes a nice decorative stitch on the front, when you are done.

Thank you for the link. I thinks this looks easy. I also like the look of the larger binding.

What a great tutorial, thank you!

What's a binding gizmo?

Certainly have seen the binding foot that folds and attaches both sides to quilt in one easy step. I own a Bernina 630E and the hard part is getting the $231.00 that it will take to buy it. Am looking for a rich Santa, any one know where I can find one? LOL

A lot of people finnd binding hard that is why I started binding for others. This way they don't get frustrated.
Marion