I love quilting, I love all of the fabrics, patterns and notions, I love piecing, and I love giving quilts as gifts . . . . . but I absolutely HATE binding!!!! LOL

Anyone with me?

Susie (aka "Frustrated Binder")

I do too lol I cant figure it out.

I don't mind making the binding or attaching it to a quilt - was taught an excellent way when I first started out 3 years ago and I never fail to get great corners and a perfect joining of the ends to hide them - but I hate hand sewing the back down!!! I admit I'm picky about using tiny stitches that are invisible, but I don't like hand work. If I could figure out a way to do the whole thing on my machine, I'd be happy!!!

Practice! Practice! Practice!
and you'll come to like it.

I used to fear it ... and then just kept at it and now I quite enjoy it. It's the crowning glory of your quilt and the sign it is all done.

I tend to set up "camp" on a comfy couch in my sewing room, feet up, tunes on (or TV) and just go at it. Quite peaceful, enjoyable and a relaxing time for me.

I don't mind doing binding since I've gotten better at it. I used to dread doing the double fold bias ending seam. You only need to cut the angle wrong once and you're ready to scream. On small things like mug rugs, I just do a straight join.

I hate it too, not because it's hard, but because I have pieced and quilted and am ready to move on to the next project and don't want to waste time putting on binding, boring.

I too hate, hate, hate binding. Actually what I hate is hand sewing the binding to the back. It takes me FOREVER to do the hand sewing part and is so discouraging. I've tried machine sewing both sides but don't like the results. My solution - - I've found someone I can pay to just do the binding. While I think mine looks better - - it only looks better if it is done. Works for me. Hope she doesn't get tired of binding.

For the person who wanted to know how to sew both sides by machine here are some links. She sews it on the BACK side first in a normal way (first video) and then stitches the Front side using a blanket stitch (second video).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related

From one Susie to another, I used to hate it too, but since I discovered the glue basting method I actually enjoy doing it now. I sew mine to the back and roll it to the front and machine stitch since my hands won't allow me to hand sew more than a small amount. Just keep practicing on small projects.

There is an interesting method in which you use fusiable thread in your bobbin and then when finished top stitching, burn the binding to back and fuse the edge down and then do the rest by machine. I have not tried it but a very popular teacher does it this way - not glue but fusiable thread. I believe she then stitches in the ditch from the front. The fusiable thread allows you to be sure the edge of the binding on the back has completely covered the stitching and can then catch the edge when sewing from the front.

I think you hit the nail on the head!!!! I'm ready to MOVE ON!

I actually LOVE doing binding. Its so relaxing and I can sit with DH and watch (listen) to TV while I do the hand work. Sorry you are frustrated.

Probable 99% of us hate them

I hated it too until I learned how to do the corners and figured out that glue in this process is my best friend. =) Now I get it straight and don't get stuck with a bunch of pins. =)

I don't mind the hand sewing as long as it isn't hot as in summer. I drape the quilt over my lap and watch TV. I use Martelli's zip clips so I never poke myself.

I put my binding on the back, turn it to the front and zig zag it with a small width. So much faster and easier. The zig zag shows up less. I have the zig on the binding and zag on the quilt.

I love doing the binding. Once you learn how to do the corners and learn how to splice the ending pieces to look the same as the joints of the strips, you will really enjoy putting on the binding. I never cut the ending strips on angles. I found a great tutorial online with pictures showing how to finish of the ends, and after that my bindings are quite nice to look at. I love the hand stitching on the back too. I guess I am just one of the weird ones as far as the binding goes. I hope you will keep trying, and soon you will enjoy framing your beautiful work of art.

Same here!

Sorry...Love binding...I machine sew one side and love hand sewing the back side...

My corners are improving and I have no problem with the splicing of the ends of the binding. I mostly make quilts for Quilts For Kids and they do not want anything hand stitched. So I sew the binding on the back, roll to the front and then top stitch. MY problems are getting the binding even on both sides, getting the quilt firmly caught all way around in the binding, and, since my binding is uneven, I wind up with stitches showing on the back because the back and the binding are not normally the same color....and QFK also does not want you to use monofilament thread. I'm wondering if this fusible thread method might help me with any of these and if you know anyplace where I could get more information about it.

I don't like to do bindings either. I had my quilter do mine for me for a long time.Started thinking how much that was costing me and have started doing my own. I still don't like to do them.

Not my favorite past time either. Get the quilt put together, let someone else do the binding.

I hate it too and was chatting with my friend at the LQS the other day about it - she LOVES binding. We're trying to work out a swap :) I just need to figure what special talent I have that she needs!!

I love doing binding! I sew it on by machine, and then I sew the back down by hand. And I find it very relaxing.
It's like the relaxing point after all the planning and cutting and piecing together.And it truly is the crown on your project.

I am a convert to the Sharon Schamber glue technique. Perfect results. Especially the corners

Those video links that were shared are the only reason I like binding. I don't have the patience for hand sewing binding on, after all, the best part of the quilt is done, I just need to finish it! But I acctually had 3 quilts ready for binding with binding cut and everything and when I discovered those videos last night, I blew threw them, all I need to do are quilt patches on the back so I can gift them.

I could have written this! I hate it too!!

Nope, not in your camp, I love doing the binding. The only time I don't love it is if I'm behind on a deadline and at that point I wish it was done already so I could get the quilt out the door!

If you sew your binding to the back of the quilt first, then you can fold to the front and top stitch down with machine. My aunt does that.

I personally like to do the hand work, is very peaceful.

I like binding. I know the quilt is almost finished.

Yeah...I have a binder..she does all of my bonding in exchange for LAQ> Works great for me!

Me too. I dislike any type of handwork, I even sew button on with the sewing machine.

i don't mind binding, because i know it is almost finished.not good at it though. use your walking foot and start on the back, then turn it to the front,and the walking foot will help u........

I always sew my binding on the machine. I do everything on the machine.

I used to hate the binding too, until I got the hang of it. Now, I too agree, it's the satisfaction of knowing when the binding is done, the whole piece is done and the piece can be used or given to its intended recipient. While I do it, I'm usually thinking about my next project or "listening" to TV with hubby. Practice does make it easier, and now my handstitching is virtually invisible, which makes my sister very very jealous!! I keep telling her just practice....

I don't mind doing bindings but I do save them to carry with me to places I just have to sit. Like doctors offices , guild meeting , bee meetings, etc. , etc. That way I am getting something done on my quilt and have NO down time. I carry a large bag with me all the time that contains at least one project and if I am not driving I work on projects in the car. The old saying is: Idle hands are the devils workshop

Hope the quilt police are not watching! I straight join all my sections of binding! Hee hee

I actually enjoy hand sewing the binding to the back of the quilt, but I don't always have time. I've slowly been practicing sewing it on completely by machine, and I just finished a quilt (for charity) that actually looks pretty good -- all four corners are mitered, and no gaps along the sides where I didn't catch the edge of the binding. I have found it easier to sew it onto the back first, then sew it to the front when doing it by machine. I can put the edge down right on top of the stitching and sew on the edge. Works for me, and I don't use glue or pins. But, it took me about 20 quilts to get to this point.

Don't give up...you will find a way that works for you!!

I use this method to put my bindings on but I use what I call my "wobble" stitch on my machine. It's almost like a zig zag stitch but in a curvy line. Looks like I "planned" it in my FMQ.

I started doing it this way just when making baby or kids quilts but it was so much faster I started doing it on all my quilts. Now if I EVVEERR get good enough to put one of my quilts in a show, I would have to put the binding on the correct way. :lol:

I hear you! I had help at my LQS and a tutorial off this board. I sit down with all my notes and go step by step each time I finish something. I also have made a bunch of mug rugs to practice, practice, practice. I am working on a baby quilt right now and I am excited to get to the binding part, as the machine quilting part is giving me fits right now! I think it is all a learning curve and I can't wait to feel like I know what I am doing! Keep after it, it will get better~I keep thinking and hoping! This quilting board is the best guide and support ever!

I don't mind doing hand applique, but binding drives me crazy. Especially on a large quilt. It seems to grow while working on it.
I have done the fusible thread thing, and I have moved on to using Elmers School glue. Water it down just a bit. Then iron it dry, it stays put. I then do the rest by machine. Sometimes in the ditch and then on kids quilts, I use a decorative stitch. I only do them by hand if I plan to put the quilt into a show.