machine sewed bindings--front or back?
 

I want to ask those who machine sew bindings: Do you prefer first sewing the binding on the back or front? I tried both. I don't really like the line of stitches in the binding on the front, but my corners are perfectly mitered on the side I sew down first, so in this case the super nice corners are on the back. I don't really like the line of stitches on the front if machine sewed on the back--but I'll have to learn to not mind to save time. I surely would rather be making tops! :-)

Also--corners look better if I pivot at corners, but I like them secured to the point, so I will hand stitch those. No big deal.

Which way do you do it--and why?

I like to sew binding to the back first, then sew the top with a decorative stitch that goes to both the right and left of the center line. The best decorative stitch for this is the type that does *not* include a stitch down the center. My old Bernina 1230 has a feather stitch, but it includes that stitch down the center. I am actually thinking of buying an inexpensive Brother from Walmart to be able to do a feather stitch that does not have the stitch down the center. Without that center stitch, you do not have to worry about getting a straight line exactly matched up with the binding edges on both front and back; both sides will look fine because nothing will be "off".

I sew to the front, fold over making sure the binding overlaps the sewing line. Then I stitch in the ditch along the front sewn seam. do I get a line of stitching that's perfectly straight along the back binding? No, but I don't stress over it.

I do the same thing as quiltsRfun does. I sew to the front, turn in over to the back. Glue baste it down to the back. Stitch in the ditch from the front. I don't stress over the back side not looking perfect either.

I also do the same as the 2 previous members with a single color. Have you tried the faux flange binding? this is my current favorite method, which is sewn to the back first, but it is a very neat finish. http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...g-t200207.html

Stitch in the ditch meaning you just catch the edge of the binding for the final sew down? Stitch in the ditch to me means seeing between seams---and there's only the binding. :-)

I tried a decorative stitch on one but matching thread kept it from being appreciated.

Haven't tried flange yet... thanks for the link.

When I sew binding on by machine, I first sew it onto the back, flip it over to the front so my final stitching line next to the fold will be on the front where it looks the best. I do the reverse then I do the final sew down by hand---sew first to the front, flip over and sew fold line down on the back.

I also do what Jeanne does, sew it to the back and then sew it to the front. A trick is to make sure the fold is going in the opposite direction from the one already sewn. I use clover clips to keep the corners in place.

Yes, sewing between the seams on the front. (In the ditch.) The back is folded far enough over the stitching line that it's sewn down when you SID. There is no edge stitching on the front of the binding. This is the way I did waistbands when I sewed clothes.

I have done both depending on whether I want to see a row of stitching on the front or not.

If I bring the binding to the front then you see binding on the front and if you take it to the back you see a row of stitching on the front. Sometimes that row of stitching fits in perfectly with the rest of the quilting.

I wish I had read this before attempting to bind my first ever quilt. I'm going to have to check out that Feather stitch and see if my Brother's machine has it. I was going to try hand sewing my binding because I was afraid my stitches would show but that wasn't working out too well so I ended up doing a basic stitch.

this is the way i do it also. and like quiltsrfun, i don't stress over the stitching line on the back

asheryl, I find it helps to glue baste the binding in place before sewing. Best method I have found is, after sewing binding to back, iron the binding to secure the fold from the stitching line. Turn to front, and use small dots of Elmer's white washable school glue (and my iron) to match up the binding fold to the stitching line that shows on the front. This makes sewing the decorative stitch much easier because I do not need to be wrestling the binding. A decorative stitch sews out more slowly and uses more thread than a straight stitch, but doing it this way makes that last binding step relatively relaxing and quite gratifying.

If you can't find a feather stitch, look for another decorative stitch that doesn't have the straight line in the center. Unfortunately, my Bernina does not have any kind of stitch like that. Many of the newer machines (my machine is about 20 years old) do have that kind of stitch. Hence, my lust for the Brother.

I sew to the front then hand stitch down on the back

Thanks for the great replies. :-) What I need to perfect if I sew to the back and pull to the front are mitered corners. When I sew on top and hand stitch, my corners on top look amazing every single time, but the ones on the back don't always miter so nicely. I do every single step I've seen in every video--but still most don't miter. Since they've always been on the back, I've accepted them as is for years, but if they are on the front, I need to adjust. A quilter on fb said I need to "jiggle" them to a miter. lol I just finished five bindings today--so next project I'll try this jiggle. :-) This is how mine come out... I'm going to add some hand stitches to every corner because I like them secured to the point.
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If you enter things into Quilt shows, here in Canada, your work will be automatically disqualified if you machine finish the binding.

I do it this way also. Seems to work perfect for me.

I usually use a vine stitch in which the "vine" meanders back and forth and has small open leaves on each side. This works for most quilts but not so much for male quilts, so I use another decorative stitch. You do have to be careful which stitch you pick as some can use much more thread(and time) to stitch. I do use some that have a straight stitch between the decorative element, such as a star, but find the stars distract your view from the straight line between them.

I sew back first and then top stitch the binding down on the top.

I do press/iron the seam line on the back and then press the binding flat. I DO use bias binding and I DO baste the edges together before sewing it to the quilt sandwich. I DO NOT press the binding in half before sewing it to the quilt.

I use a wider binding that many people do. I think I cut it at 2-7/8 inches. Then I use the leftmost setting on my machine when I do the first stitching of the binding.

I also hand-stitch the miters (front and back) when I'm done sewing the binding to the front.

It also lessens the bulk if I turn the fold "towards the left" on one side and "towards the right" on the other side.

I attach to the back, fold to the front, then machine sew down with a bobbin thread that matches the backing. Sometimes I will use a more decorative stitch like a shallow, narrow serpentine.

Stich on the back, iron pushing the binding away from the backing. Pin on the front then stitch down in the front. I love the finish. I do this on table runners and large quilts

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g4...ps4kwyn5y7.png

I stitch to the front, iron press the seam flat, then fold binding to the back, pinning binding every couple inches. I use YLI Wonder invisible thread to stitch on the binding seam on the front, using stitch that takes a nip to the left, then right, left, right, etc. I keep checking every couple inches to make sure the binding edges is being caught on the back. With the invisible thread and the #17 stitch on my Viking Rose, it looks like the binding is hand stitched.

I sew the front binding and then the back. I hand-sew the back so there is no line to see on either side.

My quilts are not "show" quality: they are made to keep friends and family warm. I do not mind a seam holding down the binding. For that reason, I cut my bindings a little bit wider and sew to the back first. I get a little wider binding on the front that way, and I can easily stitch it by machine. The wider binding almost serves as a final border, particularly if I choose a "pop" fabric to do it. I want my quilts to be used on a floor for naps or in the backyard for picnics. The machine binding, I think, makes the quilt a little sturdier.

I have found that I get a better miter in the corners if I fold the opposite direction as yours are shown. in other words, when I reach a corner, I fold the bottom up first, then bring the side over the top. I have greater control when sewing over the bulk of the corner if the thickest part of the bulk is sewn first. The needle doesn't have to fight to get over the folded corner. Keep trying! You'll get it!

I still do it the old fashioned way--sew to the front, flip it to the back and hand stitch. Have not mastered machine stitching the back yet. It never looks good on the front. Perhaps I should try as some do to the opposite and then use a decorative stitch on the front.

Usually sew front first but have tried the flanged on my last quilt and really liked it.

This works for me. I sew to the front, fold to the back, glue baste so that the fold just covers the stitching line, then stitch in the ditch from the front. The corners may need a few pins to keep the miter in place.

Use a pin to really push that binding over the edge of the quilt as you turn the corner. If you keep that corner down tight, with glue or pins, the perfect miter will form.

After doing it this way for a long time, I have learned to do it without glue. And the back really turns out almost really great! I just need help with the corners, so pin them well before sewing.

If it's a charity or child's quilt I sew the back, flip and stitch down with a decorative stitch on the front. If it's a miniature or applique quilt I sew on the front and hand stitch to the back.

I've tried sewing the binding all by machine and I'm just not great at it so I sew mine onto the front, turn it over and hand sew it to the back while I watch TV. It keeps me from munching so I won't gain pounds.

I also sew it on the back and use a decorative stitch on the front. My favorite is a curvy line with a small leaf on every other curve. Also, I like to use a variegated thread just to add a little something to the binding. When teaching, I will explain the various methods (including hand sewing the backside) but usually a newbie needs to get it finished so we sew it on and I have them do a long zigzag for the front. This way it doesn't matter if it isn't completely straight. I will point out the 'challenged' spots and explain that they will get better with practice. I find this helps them with their newbie imperfections and keeps them excited about going on.

I sew the binding to the front first, then hand sew to the back. I just can't sew straight enough down the back to keep the front looking nice. My time spent hand sewing the backing down is my time to not be bothered since as you know, if you set it down, it will all unravel...........lol!

I sew the binding to the back and fold over to the front and hand stitch to finish.

I also sew the binding on to the back & bring it around to the front like Jeanne S

I sew binding to the back of the quilt first and turn it over to the front and top stitch 1/8" from the fold. Handwork is impossible for me, so either sew entirely by machine or the quilt won't get done. Most of my quilts are charity quilts. The recipients don't care how the binding is finished, they're just thrilled to get a quilt that is theirs alone.
Sharon in Texas

I sew binding on the back first and also use decorative stitching on the front.

I do the back first then flip to the front.

I've been using this method demonstrated by Sara of Heirloom CreationsHere is the link to the video
http://youtu.be/LZ4Q2W5XaL0

it is my favorite way to bind quilts since I started using her method

Last year I made 19 quilts, lap and kid sized. To enable me to make that many I started sewing the binding on by machine. I sew down on back bring to front and sew from corner to corner, cut the thread and start after making the miter and backstitch a couple tomes then sew to next corner and finish like that. It is much faster than hand sewing and much less likely to come out. Warm quilts are more important than hand sewn binding.

I do it this way too. Also if the thread closely matches, you can hardly see the stitches or you look at your decorative stitches as another design element!