I wrap my binding around an antique industrial wooden spool. It is about 9 or 10 inches tall and (surprisingly) fits onto the bobbin holder of the bobbin winder of my Bernina. So my binding sits on top of my machine and feeds down as I need it. It's pretty and functional!

I fan fold it and lay it across my right shoulder so it feeds off the top - there's no added tension because it feeds "down" from the shoulder vs. up from the floor or over the lip of a container. I use my right shoulder because my left one is moving more as I control the quilt and the binding would fall off occasionally.

If my binding strip is quite long, I put a paper bag on the floor by my feet and draw the binding out of there.

I started saving the cardboard that comes on Wal Mart's one yard cut. It was such sturdy cardboard and I didn't know exactly what do with it. Then one day, it came to me. So now i used them as a "binding spool" . I store them lengthwise in a plastic tray. When I machine sew on the binding, I keep the "spool" the left and only unroll a foot or so or as I need it. I find keeping the spool to the left that it doesn't twist as much. This has really worked out for me. Maybe you too.

I had no idea this was going to be a topic with so many innovative approaches! I generally make my binding when I've finished a flimsy and keep them together with a backing (if I have one available) until I'm ready to put them all together. I wrap the finished binding loosely around my hand and flatten the result slightly (looks a bit like a hot dog, shape-wise). This will sit in my lap while I bind, and I just flip it over a few times to start and then occasionally as I sew so there isn't any tension on it.

I make my binding and pin it in place on the quilt, not pinning it closely. This method achieves 3 goals. I can make sure it is long enough, and a binding seam doesn't land on a corner. If it does, I move the starting point a couple of inches. And also, I do this so the binding isn't all over the place and twisted as I sew. I remove pins as I sew and let the binding sew in place. This works great for me and I don't have to deal with the loose binding as I sew.

After I make the binding, I grab one end, dump the rest on the floor to the right of my chair and start sewing.

Yup. Over my shoulder

Wow! I need to invent a gadget for feeding binding , then, go on Shark Tank! My fabric fund would be endless! I am looking at the stand that feeds cones of thread for an idea! Perhaps feed the binding from up high with a letter-holder shape to hold excess...or perhaps a paper towel cardboard shape that rolls to feed.

There is a gizmo to feed binding. I watched a video of a woman using it with a vintage machine. It probably took a minute to get the hang of it.