How many stitches per inch in your hand binding?
 

What a great question! I'd love to know too as my binding seems to take forever! lol

I usually take a stitch into each machine stitch.

I put in approximately 7-8 stitches per inch ... and I double my thread. That binding isn't going anywhere!! lol

Well, I am now into a lot of quilting. I have found that 5-7 stitches on the binding does it very nicely. Currently I have created more than 50 quilts in the last 7 years and yes, every single one of them has been done with hand binding by me. I like to have a quilit by my chair in the evening watching TV with the husband or when we go on long trips, I always have a binding that needs to be done. Again, I found 5-7 stitches does it very nicely.

More than normal? What is normal? , how did you measure normal? I'm sure you are doing just fine.

I don't think that I do many more than 4 stitches /inch. I use double thread and put in a knot quite frequently. The stitch I use does not have any thread "laying" on top to be caught on -- it is into the batting with just a small bite on the binding itself.

One, just one stitch per inch. You should see how fast I finish a lap size! LOL

I use 7 or 8.
I have been told that there a tape that you can stick to the binding that is measured off in 1/4 or 1/8 inch to use as a stitch guide (for show quilts), but I have not tried it.

Can you stitch too closely when doing hand binding?

IMHO closer, means tighter, and a more even finish.
I use a ladder stitch with a double stitch periodically to help hold things secure.

Long stitches, leave more possibilities for problems ... or little fingers to start "playing" and eventually break the threads and the binding to come undone.

I put one stitch about every 1/4 to 3/8 " or so and hide the thread in the quilt so there is nothing to catch.

3-4. All depends.

Hmmmm...got me thinking. So I went and measured. Over 3 quilts, it ranged from 6-9 and I also use a ladder stitch. I think it is less stressful on the binding and I seem to be able to keep it more even. Hey! Am I normal??

I know I'm not normal!:p I married some one who was in submarines in the navy and he liked it. :)

I guess I wanted to know how far off the average I was, I also do the ladder stitch and only single thread, since I think it gives it a smother finish. The other question I should have asked is... normally you machine sew the binding to the front and hand stitch to the back correct? I have done one with the machine stitching on the back and hand stitching on the front since I wanted a softer edge on the front.

Hope every one has a thoughtful Memorial day.

I've never actually counted, never thought about it, but, I do a fairly tight, close stitch. Probably around 12 stitches to inch- my reasoning being the closer the less chance of anything catching an opening between stitches and tearing my binding loose. I want it good and secure.

Well, "normal" for me is anywhere from 4 - 7 stitches. It all depends on how much attention I'm paying to my stitching .... lol .....

i don't know what is normal either, but my grandmother always stressed that hand quilting and hand sewing the binding should be close enough so that a baby couldn't get their nails caught in it. make any sense? lol, So my stitches are 8- 10 per inch.

I usually do 8-10 per inch, too. Had someone tell me once that a baby got their toe stuck in between the binding when doing larger stitches, and that's all it took for me. Nobody is getting anything stuck in my quilts!

Ditto. I stitch the binding the same way I stitch invisible hand applique stitches. Tiny and close. Takes a long time. I think I need to loosen up. :)

I never measured but probably somewhere around 5. I get into a rhythm and just go with it. My stitches are nearly invisible and even and that's what I shoot for.

I think I make 6-8 stitches per inch and I use a single thread. However, my tip to others is to put a knot stitch in every three or four inches so that if the thread breaks for any reason, it cannot unravel very far. This makes it easy to repair if there is a break for any reason. Now, in truth, I have never had to repair one; I just want to be prepared.

I use my sewing of the binding line to go by...using a 2.4 stitch for it. For hand sewing the binding to the back I skip every other stitch to attach to.

What is a knot stitch and how do yo make it?