You won't like this but what I like about binding is beeing done.

What do I like about binding? When it's DONE! lol

I like to do the binding, it goes pretty fast and it is much more relaxing for me. I don't have to worry about seams matching etc. Plus you can do it anywhere.

Like several have said, I enjoy binding because I know it's the last step and my quilt will be finished, so I'm eager to get started. I also enjoy the hand stitching. It's very theraputic and since I don't do much hand quilting, except for an occasional embroidery project binding is the only handwork I have. I've never tried the glass of wine with it -- now that's an idea!

[QUOTE=MadQuilter;5462401]I recently started using the double-mitered binding method (posted a tutorial) and it makes binding so much cleaner for me. I don't have to deal with yards and yards of binding - only the length (plus a little) per side. I only sew one side on at a time. It is relatively easy to sew the mitered cap into the corners and once the miter covers the corner, sewing the binding on the back is a breeze.
Now this sounds interesting. So, should I put in the search engine "double-mitered binding method" and the tutorial will pop up? It sounds like something up my alley!!!

I like to get done. Worst part of the quilt for me to do. BUT when it is done, Yea, on to next projects

Binding is the only real handwork that I do and I enjoy it because I can sit in front of the TV and relax while I do it.

I LOVE putting the binding on. It's the finishing touch. And I have come to REALLY LOVE putting the ends together. First I press a triangle at the beginning. Starch this and maybe pin it, too. I start sewing it on leaving a loose tail 8 - 10 inches. After you have a few inches sewn, put a pin in the quilt 8 - 10 inches beyond the beginning of the binding. That would be 16 - 20 inches from the place you started sewing. That is where you will stop when you get around the quilt. Then I pin down the binding exactly as I want it when it is sewn. I usually stretch a binding just a little. That prevents the edge of the quilt from becoming wavy. Then lay the ends one over the other, with pressed triangle on the bottom. Cut the other end EXACTLY at the bottom of the triangle. You will have the two layers overlapped exactly as far as the binding is wide. Take out all the pins, open the triangle and open out binding. Place ends right sides together, and twist so that the binding pieces are at right angles. Sew across the ends on that fold you pressed in at the beginning. If the fold is going from top to bottom, just twist it the other way. The seam has to go from side to side. Now snap open the binding to see if it fits. Then open that last seam and finger press. (It's kind of hard to press with the iron here unless you have one of those little things.) Then cut off the triangles of the seam allowance and continue sewing down the last bit of binding to your quilt. You will never be able to tell which binding seam is your last one this way. I find it very exciting to see how nicely this finishes up my quilt. HAPPY BINDING!

Me too! Also, it gives me something constructive to do when DH wants me to keep him company in front of the TV. He gets my attention and I still get to sew.

Just like we ice a favorite cake or put on our wonderful, flattering makeup before we start out the door, the binding finishes the quilt. I like it, because, as others have said, it is the finishing touch before we move on to another lovely quilt.

I do the same, but watch recorded sports or shows. I'll have to remember the part about pacing the wine with the threads as I sometimes get ahead with the wine.

I make my own bias binding to coordinate with the quilt and just love watching it "finish" as I go.

Can you get with some quilting buddies and have a goal to make the binding? Friends make any work easier.My LQS have Fun Days where anyone can meet and sew. Binding would be a perfect project to make while talking and laughing with others. At least with binding I don't have to understand a pattern, make sure my points match and sew the perfect 1/4 inch seam!! Now it is easy, right??? Dianne

I hate putting on makeup . . . and avoid it, whenever possible. :p

nothing i hate binding i wish there was someone i could just pay to bind all my quilts theyd definately be my new best friend. i hate the trimming the pinning i hate the whole process.
carla m

I enjoy binding. I know that's the last step in that quilt's journey. I, also, sew the binding to the front and handstitch the back. There is something so calming about the rythm of hand sewing.

I also sew my binding to the front and then hand stitch it to the back while watching TV or traveling in the car. I can't just sit and watch TV, so this gives me something productive to do. I like the fact that hand stitching the binding on is a "no brainer" thing to do.

The thought of binding scares me :(

And that must be why I have only been making RAG QUILTS .... no finishing, quick & easy and FUN to make :) HOWEVER, binding IS on my list of things to learn!!!

jody

Me too! :o

I treat the binding process as a sort of meditation. I think about the person who will be using the quilt. If it will be a new baby or a young child, I think about a pleasant future for that child, and if it's an older person, I call up pleasant memories and feelings, wishing for the same for that person. Once I started doing that, my attitude about binding improved immensely!

My sister liked to sit and sew. She could not sit at the machine very long, and could not manage sewing the binding on large quilts on the machine. So we worlked together on binding. I would sew the binding on mine and hers, and she would sit in her recliner and sew the bindings down! Maybe you could find a partner to do this with.

I like doing the binding because it means I'm almost done! I sew mine on by machine. The only hand stitching I like to do is cross-stitch, so I do cross-stitch the label.

What do I like about binding? In a word---NOTHING. Hand sewing kills my degenerating wrist joints and completely machine sewn ones aren't that attractive. That's why I wrap my charity quilt backings around to the front and stitch down. That is getting more difficult as the fabric widths are getting skimpier.

I don't really mind doing it, as long as I have time sit and hand sew it on the back. I love doing the lumpless finish/continuous bias and having it come out and fit perfectly!

I agree - hand sewing the binding is like applique - "relaxing" - and can be done sitting with hubby in the evenings ... plus the hard part - cutting, piecing, matching -is done - all that's left is to sit quietly watching TV doing the hand work. When i used to pin the binding on, getting jabbed annoyed me - but since i started using hair clips to hold the binding- it's all good.

One of the things you mentioned was that you dislike cutting the strips. I would invest in the june Tailor Shape Cutter Pro:
http://www.joann.com/june-tailor-sha...-/xprd1130652/
wait till rulers are on sale and see if you can get a free shipping or use a coupon, wich would make it about the same price as having somone do one binding for you. This ruler will cut a folded piece of fabric (like right off the bolt) and is set up to cut 2 1/2 inch strips. Makes cutting binding a snap.

I love to bind. That is one of my favorite things about quilting. If you want to send me a stack, I will bind them for you. Email me and we can make arrangments if you want.

I like binding because I know when I get there that it's almost done. I do not pin anymore, I went to Dollar Tree and got a package of hair clips for children and use them. They are so nice and no more sticking myself with pins. I always get a movie or some good TV show and sit down in my recliner with my quilt across my lap and sew the binding on. It gives me such a good feeling when the quilt is done and I did it all. Good Luck.

I feel the same way as you, but I do it to complete things. There are many quilters that will do it for a fee. Would that help you?

I love cutting the strips, matching the seams, laying it out to be sure no seams end up in corners, sewing the first side while handling the quilted layers feels so good and then flipping to the back . Then threading ten needles, the candle wax smells so good under a warm iron to get rid of the excess wax. Nice and stiff, no knoting or curling. Stitch by stitch around the edge. Time slows down a rythm begins and shoulders relax. wonderful reflective time.

peace

I use a straw needle when I bind. Sometimes I bend them..but I get a nice small stitch. Maybe you can find a friend who does not like cutting (or some other task you don't mind) but DOES like to bind? You could trade tasks you hate. If you lived in AZ, I would trade you! I love to bind!

Me too! On all of that including the wine!!!

This sounds so easy but I would LOVE to see a couple pictures. I'm a little confused about which direction to fold the triangle and also about the part where you mention the seam going up or down or side to side. Thanks!

PghPat, I wish I knew how to post a picture. I have the technology, but not the knowledge.
When you start your binding, the beginning is laying on the quilt. Fold down the top left corner to make a triangle. Some call this the Magic Triangle. This is what you carefully press in place. Then fold your binding in half and start sewing 8-10 inches down from that point.
If you take any two strips and sew them together with the 45 degree seam we usually use, hold them up so that one end will go left and one end will go right. You sew horizontally so that the sewing starts and ends on the sides. You can see the top point is pointing up, and the bottom of that is an angle also. If you sewed that way, from top to bottom, it won't work. That's why I always snap the binding to see if it fits before I cut anything off.
Kay Wood (no relation) does this, but she doesn't pin the ends on. I'm sure I would not get it right if I didn't pin.
Somebody gave us a paper at our quilt club, showing us how to do this, and I don't know where they got it.
I hope you can make sense of this.
HAPPY BINDING

You can check youtube for tutorials. Try "attach continuous binding" or "continuous binding." (With the second one, just scan to be sure you aren't getting instructions on making the binding but rather putting it on the quilt.)

Directions are also available on laminated cards @ quilt shops for about $5 - I have one that was from Fons and Porter called "Perfect Binding". Same info is also in Quilter's Catalog, which is a poorly named (in my opinion) reference book - it's not a catalog as in buying, but a catalog as in book of quilting instr

Binding is one thing I really enjoy. Wish you were closer and I would do yours for you. To me, like many of you, I enjoy the process of hand sewing the back down. It is very peaceful and relaxing. I, too can do it while we are watching a movie. It seems to go so quickly. Sometimes even a big quilt will only take a couple or 3 nights at most. I use those hair clips now to hold a section ahead of me down instead of pins. Sure saves a lot of getting poked.

I was just looking at Bonnie Hunter's Double Delight, and about half way down the first page is a picture of two binding strips sewn together. and the scissors is about to cut off the extra seam allowance. It shows how the strips are sewn from side, not from top to bottom.

i like the fact that it means i am done with another quilt and ready to start on a differant one

Thank you Mavis......I think I've got it now. I'm going to make a little sample and keep it so I remember. I've done my binding ending something like this but I never ironed that triangle and that seems to make it much easier when you get to the end. I know it is so simple but every single time I get confused all over. I always end up "getting" it but only after a bit of frustration.....LOL.

Practice on some small items until you get good at it. Don't give up. It's always more fun to do what you do well.

I put the binding on with the machine on the front. Then I hand sew it to the back. I find it relaxing hand work while I watch TV. I also find it warm in the cooler weather to have a finished quilt on my lap. (I have not done too much binding this summer, too HOT) Hand sewing my binding is just like eating a big piece of apple pie.