:D Thank you so much for posting these links. What a great way to do bindings! You posted these just in time - I have a king size quilt that is waiting to have the binding sewn on! :thumbup:

I watched the SS video and it was very informative, I find I was doing the binding the same way she does, but I don't use starch or GLUE....just pin or clamp as I go. My question about the glue is this: one would have to wash the quilted item after binding to remove the glue? I don't wash anything I finish........until it gets dirty after using it.....

I trim the edges to the size of the top. I also serge around the outside edge. Not to trim anything off, but to make a tighter edge. For me, it makes the dreaded binding easier to stitch on.

This is the way I have always done it also. Thanks.

Lone wolf, you have a partner!

I always trimmed the edges first and then read that you get a better result if you attach binding first. So, I tried it on my last quilt. If you have a thin batt, it makes no different, but if you have a thicker batt, your binding is FAR more evenly attached because you aren't struggling with an 'edge' and poofiness. So, my recommendation is if you only use thin batts, continue to trim. If using thicker, then sew binding first, trim, then attach to other side.

I trim and then lay it out and see if it's relatively square. If necessary, I will trip the top to make the quilt square, but I don't go over-board.

I like this tip!

The outside edge of my finished pieced top is usually straight, so I NEVER trim until I have my binding sewn on as I want to be sure it is "stuffed". I use a binding only 2 1/4" that is folded in half...not a lot of margin to work with.

I hand trim as I sew the binding to the back so the batting is a little longer than the front and back fabrics. It does fill the binding better since I started doing it this way!! :thumbup:

Me too.

I borrowed my DH metal square for the corners of my quilt to make them perfect. Then I trim all the edges so they are nice and straight. Then I add my binding. I do not cut away the batting as it looks better full.

I have done it both ways. If I don't trim before putting on the binding, I will cut off the extra with a scissors to keep from cutting something that's not tto be cut. I never heard aabout keeping some of the batting to fill the binding. I use 21/2" binding and fold it in half. It generally hugs the edge of the quilt without an emptiness.

I've always put on the binding and then trimmed as it gave me a better edge for cutting and less chance of cutting into the quilt. Also makes it easier to be sure all edges are caught.

I've been quiltng for 40 years. I always trimmed first, then about 12-15 yrs ago I had soome quilts in a local quilt
show. They had a lady that critiqued each quilt. That was
what she found wrong about mine. Since then when I am ready
to bind, drape them over the dining room table. Take a yard
stick and marker and try to draw a line where I want the
binding to be. Then take it to the machine and lay the binding ..raw edge, where I drew the line. Incidentally I
cut my binding on the fold at 2 and 1/2"..fold in the middle
and press. That makes a two thickness binding. After it is
machine sewed on, I cut it a little more than 1/4" (depending on how thick my backing and batting is. If it is thinner, I cut about 1/3" from edge of the quilt. Then,
of course, turn it to the back side and hand stitch. Hate
to admit it (ha!( but they do look better if the binding is
full. You might want to try it once and see how you like it
..we don't have to do things like everyone else, but sometimes you pick up a hint here and there that helps.

I have NEVER heard this before, what excellent information. Something I will start doing for sure....Excellent

Thanks for sharing this. I will try this on my quilt!

Good advice about leaving extra batting and I also trim to square up the quilts.

8-) I've Trimmed and then sewn to the front, hand stitched to the back.
8-) I've left about an inch or two of batting & backing then stitched to the front - trimmed and hand stitched to the back.
8-) I've tried other decorative variations of the above too. so far I really can't say any variation has been any better than the other. Everything usually ends up looking pretty much the same :shock: :lol:

I'm a trimmer. The next thing I do is bring the two ends together east/west and then north/south and make sure the quilt is square. Many folks skip this step.

Me,too. Never had a problem!

Exactly how I do mine and turns out perfect. I find hand binding relaxing and it goes by really fast.

This is exactly how I have always done it, I think I would have more problems if I trimmed first then sewed binding on. Interesting that so many of you people trim first. HUM.

Very interesting thread. Thanks for the SS youtube links.

Just learned something new! Thanks. That makes alot of sense.

I bookmarked this method and will try it on the very next binding that I do. Love the cleanness of the finished binding...and the glue was a surprise for me. Thanks for posting the websites!

I always use Sharon Shambers glue method for putting on my bindings since I first saw this video. It is the only way to go! Works so well!

I've look for the tip that she puts on the Elmer's glue bottle and can not find one. Does anyone know where to find it?

I couldn't find a tiny tip locally, so googled it. I bought a Quilter's Basting Kit online from Gaunt Industries http://www.gauntindustries.com/Kits-...sting_Kit.html that includes a 4 oz. bottle of Aleene's glue, an empty plastic bottle and needle tip to add to it, a wire to clean the tip and a tiny funnel to fill the bottle. They also have just the bottle and needle tip, which I also got as a spare set. Then at the Staples Office Supply back-to-school sale in August I got their own brand of school glue for one cent a bottle! Got several bottles; can't beat THAT price. :mrgreen:

Want to know a secret? - If your binding is not fat enough,
fill it up this way.
Take some very long pieces of yarn ( twice the length of the side), and thread a blunt needle with them and pull the doubled yarn all the way from corner to corner -
and never never tell!

Thanks for the link - just ordered a basting kit! :thumbup:

I do just as you do all the time...works good for me........and then the binding is really straight also.

re gluing binding...I think the glue that was used by SS was Elmer's Washable Glue..if that makes a difference...I think I'll pass on the gluing down part....I have also seen some heat n bond narrow tape that claims to work on binding too..have not tried it...I just do it the old fashioned way......

I do the same ... didn't know what it was called just have always done it this way...
Boy am I learning alot from everyone on this board... what a wonderful group of people .... quote=YukonViv]I trim my quilt (front, batting and backing) so I have a nice clean edge to work with. I use the french fold technique for binding. I use a 2 1/4 inch binding, fold in half and then sew my binding to the front of my quilt at 1/4 inch...so that the rough edges of the binding is along the edge of the quilt. Then I fold the my binding towards the back and blindstitch it in place by hand.

With this method there is no loose areas in the binding as it's wrapped around the full edge of the quilt.[/quote]

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I could not fine them either, even though they said they were available at Michael's and Joann's. I bought a Decoart Foam Paint 1 oz paint bottle from Michael's for $1.00. I dumped the paint out and rinsed it (it is washable) really well and let it dry. I've used it for over a year now and it works really well as the lid seals with the snap on cover. I just fill it with the Elmer's Washable School Glue. It goes a long way! Hope that helps someone!

I always trim the top/batting/backing even and then attach the binding.

I trim the quilt while squaring it up before I add the binding. I guess I'm the only one that uses a 3" binding. I take about a 3/8" seam. I like that my binding is a tiny bit bigger. I learned this tip for one of the published quilters and have been doing it this way ever since. Wall hangings I use a 2 1/2" binding. I've heard of the glue method even bought the tips at Michaels, but have never used them. I don't have a problem with bindings. Sometimes I finish it by hand and sometimes by machine.

i trim too

I square my quilt top but leave the extra batting and backing on. I always sew the binding to the front and ladder stitch on the back. Try different ways and find what works best for you....there's no right way nor wrong way IMO :D

That is good to know. I usealy trim mine to a straight edge. I will try leaving the batting a little longer.