I am just starting to teach myself quilting and I was wondering after you attach the binding to the front what is the preferred method of handstitching the back?
Thanks!!!

The method I have seen in most books is a whip-stitch but I prefer a running stitch that matches or contrasts with the fabric. I poke the needle thru the top binding and the batting but not the back and then back up. It doesn't show on the back. That's just me. I know many prefer the whip-stitch.

Here is the whip-stitch:
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/vi...y-hand-215189/

I prefer a blindstitch. I do not like my thread to show at all on the back. Here is a video to show you how.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM-Fd...eature=related

I also do a blind stitch. I take itty bitty little stitches as I hate for any of it to show on either side!!

I use the blind stitch as well so the stitching doesn't show.

Blind stitch here, too. You could try out several stitches on a sample joining two pieces of scrap together to see which you like best for your own quilts. Some of the other stitches used are ladder stitch, slip stitch, catch stitch and hem stitch.

I use a blind stitch...and its not a silly question :lol:

Thanks so much :-) I guess it is time to learn a blind stitch.......

For quilts that are going to be heavily used especially by children I machine stitch.

Well, thanks for asking your silly question. This was one I hadn't asked yet, but planned to. Thanks for all of the info I got from it!

I prefer blind stitch also. I don't like thread to show. If the thread shows I'm afraid the kids/cats will somehow work it loose, then I'm mending *ICK*.

I blind stitch. I don't like it to show. On two baby quilts I did a cute machine stitch. Just to make them tougher for all the washing.

I think most of us use the blind stitch (also called the blind hem stitch) because that is what we learned so it is easiest for us. With it, the thread is advanced in the fold of the binding. There are at least two other, equally good, invisible stitches that can be used for binding. The appliqué stitch, where the thread is advanced behind the fabric, and the ladder stitch, where the thread is advanced behind the fabric and in the fold.

Matching the thread color to the binding (or using a neutral for multicolored bindings), keeping the stitches as tiny and as close together as possible, and pulling the thread snugly enough to secure the stitches, yet not so tight as to pucker the binding all help to make hand stitching invisible.

I hate hand sewing (except embroidery) so I sew my binding onto the back, bring it forward to the front and then machine it!

Karen xx

Back in Home Ec, they called it a slip stitch. Take a tiny piece of the quilt and slip the needle into the fold of the binding an go a little ways and come back out and take a tiny thread or 2 of the quilt. I don't know if I am doing it right or wrong but thats what I do.