I machine bind mine, always come out beautifully with mitered corners. I've gotten very quick at it.

I am a bit peculiar...I LOVE binding. I machine the front and ladder-stitch the back. That being said, if you hate it...why not use a machine. If you pin the dickens out of it and choose a pretty stitch (love that leaf stitch laurafet), I can't see how it wouldn't turn out nicely. Just go with the technique that works for you and your quilts. It is supposed to be enjoyable....not an ordeal. Happy binding (no matter which way you choose).

I have done it both ways, I like them both.

Yes, good video; I used that method of fun and done to put together some miss shaped end of bolt block and it came out ok. But I did resew the middle with a zig zag stitch because I was giving this to a rambuncous boy and wanted to make sure it stayed together. It worked just fine. I do bind my quilts by machine because it is faster. When in doubt there are no rules in quilting and the quilt police can do their own thing--basicly Have Fun and enjoy yourself.

Yes, good video; I used that method of fun and done to put together some miss shaped end of bolt blocks and it came out ok. But I did resew the middle with a zig zag stitch because I was giving this to a rambuncous boy and wanted to make sure it stayed together. It worked just fine. I do bind my quilts by machine because it is faster. When in doubt there are no rules in quilting and the quilt police can do their own thing--basicly Have Fun and enjoy yourself.

always machine bind now-way faster.

I mainly machine bind my quilts ever since I became the local Project Linus coordinator as the quilts need to be sturdier than most, just because a child is ill doesn't stop him/her being a child so quilts are used a lot for Batman capes, dolls houses etc. etc. Also besides getting a lot of handling they get a lot more laundering so the binding must be strong so machine stitching them is the only option, so I thought I would post how I do mine.

For an ordinary thickness of quilt I cut my strips 2 3/8" ( thicker ones 2 1/4") fold and table press in half longways.

I stitch on with a 3/8" seam, on to front as you normally would, fold over and you will see that both sides line up exactly. I then normally us a "Blanket" stitch that I have on my machine, but a stepped zig-zag works and looks just as good. Below is a couple of pics of one that I am just finishing, not perfect but more than acceptable IMO.

BTW the other lovely way to finish a quilt is "Accent binding" here is a link to a superb free tutorial, you must try it as it gives an added dimension to a quilt and looks lovely: http://www.heirloomcreations.net/wp-...lt_binding.pdf

I have only machine-sewed my binding on one quilt, but did that because I did a decorative piping as an embellishment. It was so easy and it worked out great! Personally, I think that the recipients of your quilts will be so thrilled that they got a gift that was made by you that I don't think that how the binding was done will be an issue. Consider the piped binding...it adds a nice element. Hope all works out for you!

Machine stitch only here! Hurts my hands to do by hand, not to mention time.

i machine bind mine also. I sew the back first and then the front. I use bobbing thread the same color as the back so I don't notice as much. Also I'm quiltng for love and not contests so win win all around. Never had a complaint about a present yet.