Is there such an animal? I have tried 2 1/2 inch binding and sew a 1/4 inch seam and turn it over and machine sew it and the stitches are not in the ditch. So I have to match the bobbin thread to the back color. I have tried 2 1/2 inch binding with 3/8 seam same results. I have tried 2 1/4 binding with different seam allowances yikes!!! Any perfect width and seam allowance that will allow when you turn the binding over to be in the ditch?????

hmmm, i usually do 2 1/2 inch binding , especially if i do it all by machine. I sew it, flip over and put straight pins in going along the seam line catching the binding on the back but pinning on the front. that makes sure the machine will stitch right where i have the pins, which i remove as i go along. i take a bit of care pinning the mitered corners and usually catch those well too. if not, i go back with needle and thread.

Have you tried stitching to the back, turning to the front, and using a decorative stitch to sew it down? :D:D:D

Using 2 1/4" strips and a narrow decorative stitch, you can try for the decorative stitching ending up beside the ditch on the back side.

I can't do it myself but can attest to the fact that it can be done after seeing a perfect example on a quilt at my local Viking Sewing Gallery.

Do the glue basting trick. You can get a beautiful edge that way.

The problem that I dont like is the placement of the stitching on the back. I stitch the binding to the back and fold it over to the front. I also tried the glue and I like it. I just need to figure out the placement of the stitches so that it doesnt show

I just did it on my prayer quilt. I was pleasantly surprised as I havent quilted in years. Being the impatient sort, I only used the glue stick on the corners. Do you press it at every stage? My mother used to say 'you sew with your iron'. Obviously an exaggeration, but I got the message.

Personally, I think a binding put on the back on wrapped to the front and machine stitched looks good if done very straight with perfectly matching thread. I just checked the quilt hanging a foot from me and I had to look closely to see how it was done. I prefer this method as I can see what I'm doing.

Practice doesn't make perfect - only perfect practice makes perfect, but it does get easier with time.

This Youtube video demo by Leah Day was very helpful for me (2 parts to it).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfADz_pyg

For a quick binding, I like to serge my quilt edge before sewing the binding to the back of the quilt. Turn to the front & stitch just along the edge in thread to match the binding, or do a decorative stitch. I use a 2 1/2" binding. For my best quilts, I still like to sew the binding on the front, burn to the back & hand stitch in place while watching tv programs.

Watched those tutorials above - they're great! I especially liked the joining of the ends of the binding - she actually made it look easy.