I use this method all of the time for quick quilts that will be used a lot. As it is all done on the machine, there is no possibility of hand stitches coming loose in the wash. I trim the backing off to about 1", mitre the corner, fold over and stitch. Unless you look closely, you can't even tell that it is not a separate binding. No one has complained as yet.

Here's a good tutorial for that:
http://www.lorettaalvarado.com/binding.htm

Terrific tutorials on this, Lori and Gale! Thanks ever so much for this information. I have bookmarked them both.

Warmest Regards,

Thanks, Lori and Gale. These are perfect for my "Tips" book.

Glad to help. :-) :-) :-)

This is how I do it! I've also cut the corners off like you do for a shaggy fleece quilt but be careful that you don't cut too much. It was a Sesame Street theme baby quilt and I made a last minute design decision to applique cutouts of the characters in each corner. That's right! I did it on purpose! I have a bridge for sale, too. Live & learn--LOL!

all the hard work and thought you put into your quilt deserves real binding...the corners, extra binding and layers prevent them from laying properly...

"Real binding"?? So if people choose to use the backing as binding, they are cheating somehow? Not using real binding? Seriously??

FWIW I prefer separate binding too but mainly because for me, it's easier. But I would never tell someone they aren't using 'real binding' if they choose to do it a different way. :shock:

I'm sorry if this offended you but i was using 'real binding' in the technical sense...to bind is to use separate strips of fabric to cover the raw edges of fabric, clothing and carpet... folding the backing over the front and attaching is an edge finish, perhaps, but it is not binding. And you are right, one of my constant mantras is that there is "No Wrong Way to Quilt!" I would never want someone to feel they could not enjoy their hobby in any way they like, but she asked for advice about this particular part of quilting and I meant to give her encouragement to further her skills in another method. She had some comments already about how to work on the foldover technique and my comment was meant to add to those.

Thanks for the diagram! That makes explaining it much easier to understand!