This is one of those "why do we do it this way" questions that has always bugged me.

We use a double folded binding so it doesnt wear. I get that part. But why is the most accepted way to attach it hand stitching on the back? I would think the hand stitching would not be as sturdy as machine stitching.

Do you have other "Hmmmmm" things about quilting that you wonder?

well since the binding isn't stressed (the stitches) if you use good strong thread, make small stitches and pull them tight, they should never come undone. If they're left loose and can be toe hangers, then it aint gonna last. and that's the only way mine looks decent on the back.

See I never thought of it that way. I figured if the binding would get as much stress as the rest of the quilt, maybe more because it was on the edge.

The binding will get as much stress as the rest of the quilt that's why it's double fabric but the stitches won't because they are not on the edge but 1 inch inside the edge and under the binding where they are somewhat protected.

Also, the binding usually wears out first. Would you want to have to take out 2 rows of machine stitching to replace a binding? I also think hand stitched binding looks so much better. I tryed to machine stitch the back side of a binding. It was terrible. I ripped it out and hand stitched it. I've done it that way ever since.

Too funny! I machine quilt my binding on for this same reason! It looks reeeealllly bad when I try to do it by hand, plus I just don't have the patience!
I sew it on to the top with 1/4 inch, then fold it over to the back, pin the heck out of it, and SitD on the front, being sure to catch the binding on the back.
To each their own! We all just need to do what works for us! :D

Machine stitching to the front ensures an even edge on the front. Not everyone's hand stitching on the back looks that great!

I personally like the look of hand stitching better than doing it by machine. You need to understand that I do like a lot of hand stuff though (handquilting, applique, etc.). Just floats my boat!! :lol:

I just wondered why it was the standard.

I think it's just one of those things, for a lot of us, it's just the way we were taught. Because that's "the way it's supposed to be done" so to speak. Just like when every quilt used to be totally done by hand. Nowadays ( :lol: :lol: I feel funny saying that!) you can choose to do everything by hand, or everything by machine, or a combination of both.

we hand stitch them on the back because no matter how we try we can not get a decent looking binding by machine stitching it. . . and some of us do try again every once in awhile, i guess just because i haven't ruined anything lately...but the best looking bindings are going to be hand stitched because it's the only way to have an invisible stitched binding.

I hand sew my bindings on because I like the look of it. It's easier for me in the long run.

Me too!!
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Too funny! I machine quilt my binding on for this same reason! It looks reeeealllly bad when I try to do it by hand, plus I just don't have the patience!
I sew it on to the top with 1/4 inch, then fold it over to the back, pin the heck out of it, and SitD on the front, being sure to catch the binding on the back.
To each their own! We all just need to do what works for us! :D[/quote]

When I make baby quilts, I sew the binding on by machine. When I am making other quilts, I love to sew the binding on by hand. I love the feel of the quilt around my lap as I sew. I do a little praying for the recipient as I work my way around the quilt. Simply personal preference ...

Well I guess I listen to a very different drummer, I sew all my bindings by machine ONTO THE BACK of my quilts. turn to the front and hand stitch them down, on the front!

I do most of mine this way also but have machine sewed down to the front & hand-stitched to the back on several. Also, I thought the traditional method was to bring the backing over to the front, fold & hand stitch down. That's the way my grandmother and her mother did it. They didn't have time for all the fussy double fold bias binding and remember--there were no rotary cutters back then. Those are a new invention.

actually, I have some things that have bits of hand sewn pieces and machine sewn pieces and the machine stitches come loose first. I have seen this several times where the hand stitching outlasts the machine stitching.

As for me, I machine sew the binding on the back and fold it to the front and hand sew it down. But, I do a pretty good hidden stitch and you can't tell it is hand sewn.

I have tried over and over again to machine my bindings, but they always turn out so terrible: bumpy and awkward looking. I know people that machine bind their quilts, and they turn out looking very professional, but not me.

I really like the look of the hand stitched bindings, and the machine ones, but not mine. My hand stitched ones turn out really good. It just takes me so long to do it, my hands always go to sleep.

I agree with Scrappycats. I have made numerous full sized quilts that I hand stitched and hand quilted and I have never had to redo my stitching. I think we all discount how strong hand stitching really is.

I personally like the look I get better with hand stitching the binding to the back of the quilt. I have done several quilts where I stitched the binding to the back of the quilt with a machine decorative stitch (had to have some justification why I needed those built in stitches LOL) and that was a fun look.

Yup I did wonder with my 2 nd quilt or so and now I sew it on by machine. If I do hand sewing I like to needle turn Hawaiian style quilts and /or hand quilt.

I machine sew my binding onto the back first, then fold it over and machine stitch on the front side. I want my bindings to last. My hands can't take all that hand stitching either. But to each their own.............

Good point! I'm new at this and wouldn't have thought of that...

I've sometimes sewn the binding to the back, then turn to the front and use a decorative stitch to attach the front side. You have the initial stitching from the back to make sure the front stays even. I do this a lot for kids quilts as they get really hard wear. I've gotten some nasty comments from the quilt police for doing this, but--who cares what they think? Its MY quilt and if I like it, that is it!

I just finished my husband hospital quilt and I just folded over the backing and machined stitched it to the front with a decorative stitch. Maily because Iwas running out of time. I have machine quilting on bindings and taking them out because I did not like it. I think it depends on the quilt I am working on.

I am trying to find a way to attach binding that is good for me. I'm getting back into quilting after years of being away from the craft. I lost all my equipment in a house fire. At that time I had folders that I used for binding. It was very easy and just one step.

This is almost how I do it, but machine stitch, sometimes I use a decorative machine stitch, so if I get off the binding & stitches show on the back fabric it still looks good. Especially since 99% of my quilts are for children (of all ages) or babies I like to make them so they can be thrown in the washer & dryer many times. I like to think my quilts are actually being used. And I have arthritis in my hands so any handwork is difficult.

I am so relieved! Because I was not machine sewing the back side of the binding I thought I was taking the "sissy way out" and hand sewing it. To me it is so relaxing to sit and hand sew it and ponder the thought of another cherished quilt nearing the finish line.

I do a blind stitch by hand on the back and every 4th of 5th stitch I do a double stitch. That way, if it should come undone, the whole binding would not come loose.

Gosh darn. If I hand stitched anything, it would never get down!!!! I start with the binding on the back and flip it over and stitch it down WITH the machine. Looks fine to me and it over and done with, cause by then I am sick of working on it and want to get busy on the next.

ME TOO!!!!

I have nothing to add that hasn't been said already about the "why" but I can tell you a fact. I made a baby quilt for my niece's son (who turned 3 in June) and that quilt has been lugged around and washed so many times that the machine applique (close blanket stitch) has started to ravel and come undone but the hand stitched binding is as intact as the day the quilt rolled off the presses. Go figure.

I sew the binding to the back of the quilt first and then turn it over to the front and stitch it down by machine; sometimes I use a decorative stitch.
I have repetive motion injuries to my right hand and elbow, therefore hand sewing is painful. It's by machine or not at all.

I use a walking foot when I sew my bindings on, it keeps it from being lumpy and bumpy.
Sharon W.

Most of my quilts are for a children's charity and machine stitching the entire quilt(including binding) makes them sturdy and long lasting.

I hand-stitch mine to the back - it's a process I really enjoy. Call me silly, but after months (or even years, sometimes!) of working with the project, and often having a love-hate relationship with it, this is the final step before letting it go. I find I really cherish these moments!

Of course, while I'm doing it my head is already full of the next five projects waiting for me!!

I mostly do a handstitched on the back, too. Usually I think "hand" is a 4 letter word, but there's something I find really relaxing about sewing on the binding by hand. Maybe it's "connecting" to the quilt that a machine just doesn't allow. Maybe.

I machine stitch the (doubled) binding to the back first, then turn and machine stitch the front; this way I have control over what it looks like on the top. If it had to wait for me to do it by hand it wouldn't happen!!!

I think it works better (for me) to machine stitch the binding to the back and then hand stitch to the front. I have been able to control puckering that way. However, I did this one with a quilt I entered into a quilt show and was soundly criticized by all the judges who said it MUST be hand sewn on the back. Sometimes there are quilt police!