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I hand stitch except for children's donation quilts. I think the way a binding looks, no matter which technique, is very important to the overall appeal and quality.
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I attach the binding to the back with machine and fold it over and hand stitch it to the front by hand. Some fold to the back, either way is fine. I have seen only a few machine attached bindings that look good. I've noticed the stitching is rarely even from end to end. I have used decorative stitching to sew the binding but it doesn't look that great on most quilts to me.
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Originally Posted by loisf
(Post 7379444)
I machine stitch most of my bindings. I cut the strips 2.25" wide and fold them in half. I sew the binding to the back with a very scant 1/4" seam, turn it to the front and top stitch very close to the edge. I try to use a color that matches the backing on my bobbin and the binding for my top thread. Alternately, I use the same color as the quilting thread. The line of stitching never hits the binding on the back of the quilt; it just runs parallel with it. The corners look perfect. I may be rationalizing and I have no proof, but I like to think that a machine-sewn binding is sturdier than a hand-sewn one. I do prefer the look of a hand-sewn binding, but I hate doing it, so usually I don't.
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Check out the Martelli binding system. Perfect binding every time! Neat as a pin!
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I have done both. I find the hand sewn version looks neater but obviously takes a lot longer. If you aren't precise with your machine stitches, it may not come out looking as good as you might like. The machine sewn version is stronger though. I always worry that hand sewn stitches will break & it will come apart.
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I have always hand-stitched my bindings and loved doing it. Recently experienced joint problems and can no longer stitch them by hand...will take some getting used to, and trial and error on my part, to be satisfied with the machine stitching!
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I have never been able to machine sew the binding on the back and have it look like I really want it to, so I always hand sew the binding on the back. I get to snuggle under that quilt while I am finishing it and I think that is part of the reason to enjoy that final step
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Hand sew the back. To me there is something satisfying about completing it by hand. Even if the rest of it is machine done.
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I hand sew it. I think I end up with better results. I think it's possible to machine stitch binding and have it look great - I have seen other people do it. I just really think it would be too easy to make a mistake.
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I haven't done this but just looked it up since others in this post mentioned it and it looks great.
http://www.lvqg.org/media/2a7a5a699c...02ffffe415.pdf |
Quilt bindings are the ONLY thing I hand stitch....... Machine to front, hand sew to back.
I HATE, HATE, HATE stitching anything by hand. (I've broken many a needle machine sewing on a button and getting the measurements wrong :p). If it's a wall hanging, I usually machine sew to back and do a fancy stitch on the front. |
Wow! Thank you all for the answers and advice! I guess this was a good question. So what it boils down to is preference. I have machine stitched bindings in the past but on my next project I'm thinking of hand stitching it. I found a nice tutorial on You tube from the Crafty Gemini (I love her!) so will try her method. Thanks again.
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I machine stitch every time. My grandmothers were both quilters and both of them machine-stitched their bindings every single time, so to me it's what looks normal. 99% of my quilts are for myself or gifts to close family, and if any of them noticed something like how the binding was sewn on I'd probably pass out from shock, as none of them are quilters. (And they're all used to Gran's quilts too.) I'm too impatient and busy to hand-stitch the binding - I'd never finish a quilt if I did.
It can turn out very nice if I'm careful. I even managed to win a ribbon at the local county fair with one of my quilts, machine-stitched binding and all. :) |
I machine sew my bindings. It just looks neater and I can use a fancier stitch on the front.
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Originally Posted by Macybaby
(Post 7380127)
I suppose if I was making a quilt for competition and hand sewed binding was required, I'd do it. But otherwise, if someone told me I HAD to hand sew bindings on quilts, I'd give up making quilts.
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I used to hand sew but now have problems with my hands. Now I always sew the binding on the back. I try to make my binding the same color or fabric as the backing. I cut 2 1/2" strips, folded in half and then sew the binding (1/3 of the way on the binding) to the back. I always press the binding up, then bring the binding to the front and sew (just be sure to cover your sewing line from the binding). I think the binding is the first to go and that it holds up much better being machine sewen. Tip: I always use my walking foot on binding and don't bother to pin, just be sure not to pull the binding as you sew.
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I machine bind because it hurts my hands too much to hand stitch more than a few stitches. Therefore, none of my quilts would ever get finished if I hand quilted.
Advantages to hand stitching - if done right, you can hardly tell that it was stitched at all, very crisp, neat, finished, professional look. Advantages to machine stitching - it's done, and it's done sooner. Less stress on my shoulders, arms, hands. I make a lot of charity quilts, so machine stitching gets them done sooner. I've heard people say that it makes the binding sturdier, but can't say one way or another if that's true. If you can use a decorative stitch on the binding, it gives a nice look, too. |
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