I have always sewed binding on by hand, even my dad's king size t-shirt quilt. However, I have been wanting to try it the "Eleanor Burns" way using 3" binding strips. So I decided I would on the quilt I made for my niece's 2nd birthday. I sewed it on the front and then flipped it to the back and pinned the heck out of it. Started to sew on the back and kept checking it. Side one went well, the other three not so much! I had to rip out stitch after stitch. I finally completed it two hours in, however I was not happy with the results. Does anyone have any suggestions on improving this technique. I should have sewn it by hand. I was trying to save time but spent just as much time fixing it as if I hand sewn the binding. I think I will hand sew binding on from now on.

I can't help, I've never tried any method other than hand-sewing the binding. I will be watching this thread with interest!

These Youtube videos should help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related

It helps with this method if you sew binding to the back side first.

The only machine sewn binding I've been happy with is the tutorial on QB that Charismah did. Go to the search feature and type in..."Quick Machine Binding With Flange" I really like it and if you match the thread colour to the flange, the seam is almost invisible.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-77821-1.htm

Interesting!

I always sew binding by machine....I refuse to do anything by hand if I can do it faster and better by machine. I sew it down on the backside then flip to the frontside and use a glue stick to put it where it want it. Then I iron it down and it does not move. Any excess glue washes out. I sew down the binding using a variety of decorative stitches. I feel that the binding is where most of the pulling and tugging take place, so I don't want it to come loose....ever! Machine stitching is so much stronger. Just my honest opinion.

I sew mine to the front and fold it to the back - the only place I use the glue stick is on the corners. Then I sew from the front using my SITD foot. From the front, it's invisible and all that shows on the back is a nice row of stitching on the edge of the binding in matching thread. Works for me.

Wow, thanks everyone for all of your information

I did a couple that came out not too bad. I stitched the binding to the back and brought it around to the front. I used elmer's glue and pressed to hold it in place. I played around with the needle position, moving it over a little until I was able to catch the binding where I wanted it. I wish I had written it down, but forgot. Will have to experiment again. I love the look of the handsewn binding, but for kids quilts and small items, the machine would be faster.

Have to try it!!