I always add the binding, then trim.

That was sounds totally bass-ackward and awkward as heck. I trim first, or should I say my LAQr does, and I really appreciate it.

Maybe I should have said I sew the binding on the quilt, then trim and then hand sew the binding.

Yeah, I understand, but it just seems backward to me. I staystitch around the quilt, then trim. Then I sew my binding on and handstitch it down. It just seems very awkward to have all that excess backing and batting flapping around while trying to sew the binding on. I try to buy the 108-120 inch backings, and try to always leave PLENTY on all sides, so there would be a lot on the right hand side of the needle.

But, there is no right or wrong way to do stuff, so VIVE LA DIFFERENCE!! :P :P

I have only had 2 quilts done by a LAQ. She trimmed the quilts and sent everything back with it. I liked that she trimmed. So far there haven't been any problems.

Mine always does a stay stitch and trims it to about 1 inch. Up to me if I want to trim it any more. I like this.

The only time I sent a quilt out for LAQ she sewed the binding on for only an extra $5. So it was trimmed and squared up. I thought that was a heck of a deal!

I only trim the quilts I quilt for my DMIL and for American Heros (don't want to pay postage on scraps). All the rest go back to the owner with all the extra backing and batting attached.

However, I do trim the batting about 1-2 inches from the bottom of the quilt if I need to re-roll the quilt - all the extra batting doesn't fit well around the roller. I send the extra batting back with the quilt.

When I load the quilt top I stitch across the top, as I advance the sandwich I stitch down the sides, basting everything in place. When I get to the bottom I stitch (bast) across the bottom. That way when I remove the sandwich to turn it and quilt the opposite borders everything stays in place. After I remove the quilt from the frame I do trim the backing and batting 1 inch beyond the quilt top. (Unless this is a first time customer) This makes it easy for my customer to apply the binding width they prefer and to have plenty of batting inside the binding. If it is a first time customer I usually do not trim the backing and batting unless they request it. I always return all extra or trimmed batting and backing to my customer.