I use a variation of the Sharon Schamber's method (no glue) and I must admit that it takes me FOREVER - but I am usually happy with the result. Until I learned it, I did the same thing you did Blue - overlapping and bulking.

Now I leave a rather long strip at the beginning and the end unsewn so I have plenty of room to maneuever the binding and the quilt top to fold, mark, pin, and sew the binding strip. When it is sewn at a 45 (and the 45 angle should go in the SAME direction as the other 45s - guess why I mention that!) the binding lays nice and flat. It is like a perfect picture frame.

Here's how I do it

http://pir8.freeservers.com/quilting...-fold-binding/

Sew binding on most of the way around, leaving ends on both sides.

match where the two pieces should meet, I then take out 1/8 to 1/4 inch(depending on how much space I left)

At that spot, swing the top piece down 90 degrees, and sew on the 45. (where the fabric edges meet in a corner)

Check to make sure it is the length that it should be and sewn the way it should be.

trim your ends up and finger press the seam open

CB, I have tried and tried to do the binding this way. Had instructions all printed out that I was following and still couldn't do it -- I feel so stupid!! My problem is knowing where to join them so it comes out even....I just don't get it! :oops: :oops: :oops:

But your pictures make it look so easy so will print out your pictures to use next time :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:

fold over and line up with the quilt and then sew in place. and you are ready to fold it over and stitch the other side down.

At that spot, swing the top piece down 90 degrees, and sew on the 45. (where the fabric edges meet in a corner)