Serging Binding ~ Is This An Awful Idea?
 

I am seriously running behind in my Christmas sewing and one of the things that really slows me down in the end is the binding. How awful would it be if I just serged the edges?

If it was me .. I would opt to machine sew all parts of the binding , instead of the serging option. You may want to consider sewing the binding to the back( machine) bringing the final fold to the front and top stitching the final stitching of the binding, by machine. Use a thread color that closely matches the backing fabric , in the bobbin when doing the final top stitching.

Also use Elmer's washable glue to hold it in place.

I would opt for sewing the binding on by machine, instead of serging the edges. This way it still looks finished.

I use a decorative stitch on my machine when I sew the binding on the front...it makes the stitches wider so it covers all of the area, you don't have to be too careful about sewing exactly straight and it gives it some whimsy! Also, I find if I make the binding strips 3" instead of 2-1/2", it makes it a lot easier to do.

I don't think the serged edges would hold up to normal wear and tear, and they wouldn't look as finished as bound edges. But... you can always give the gift with the hand binding unfinished and tell them you aren't quite done and will finish the binding after Christmas.

Instead of binding, I have also turned the edges in and used a decorative stitch.

Well... What would the result be if you dropped your serger knife so as to not cut the quilt; serged the binding on the back of the quilt then folded it to the front to finish with your sewing machine and a decorative stitch?

I'm trying to machine sew the binding on my quilts and have used the straight stitch and regretted it. It wasn't straight. It was wavy. I'm ripping it out and going to try decorative stitching. Thanks for the idea ladies!!!

Not knowing how you plan to quilt these or how large they are, but another option would be to put the wrong sides tog., add batting and sew around the quilt leaving an opening for turning. Sew the opening closed and tie the quilt.

Some people refer to this way as "birthing" a quilt