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

Thanks for the great ideas. I had a little strip quilt UFO sitting around for a couple of months and I just wanted to get it done and off my banister. It's just a lap quilt for watching tv with hubby -- who is always hot if it's over 40 degrees. I had the binding sewn on the front and the back is a simple muslin -- so I serged it. At least it's done. I'll see how fast I can finish the other little projects I have in the works ~ also all lap quilts.

Well, here's the serged edging on the little scrappy quilt I wanted to get out of the way. It was fast, but I think I'll do regular binding on the gift quilts.

25 years ago I made my little daughter a puffy quilt and I used my serger to finish it off. The quilt had a jungle theme and it had a bright pink in it. I disengaged the knife, used a wooly nylon thread in the lower looper, used a satin stitch and went all around the edges. I did this twice for a unique, different kind of finish. She got lots of wonderful comments about her blanket. I will now redo the edge for her little one. Try it, it works and looks great. Just be sure to use wooly nylon thread, it spread out and fills in gaps and use a satin stitch length.

I would NOT serge the edges. Give them a note that their quilt will be late rather than give them with sucky edges. Machine sew your binding down on both sides. Sure, my corners don't look as neat (because I've only done it once) but it was done.

I always machine sew my bindings....both sides.....I use a decorative stitch and line it up on the outside edge of the binding, then adjusting width to cover entire binding....it is neat, strong, and much faster than handsewing and there are some really cute designs that you can use.