sylviak

It was fast, but I'm not too happy with it. I really had trouble with the corners: my machine, even with a 90/14 needle and the walking foot on, didn't want to move over the hump of fabric. The other problem was that after flattening the binding with a decorative stitch, my edges are now wavy! This was a baby quilt for a friend...and she won't notice or mind, but what can I do to improve? Any suggestions? Except for the waves and the corners, it looks good....

leatheflea

I've tried this several times and it never works for me either. I stick with the front by machine and then hand stitch to the back.

ckcowl

i've been quilting a long time (first quilt in 1976) and have never been happy with a machine binding---they never turn out as nice as a hand stitched binding (mine anyway) to me it seems like putting so much work into a quilt i simply ruin it if i try to *cut corners* and do a machine binding. I've watched videos and tried lots of peoples (new-improved way) but in the end i always regret having tried it again- so..all i can offer is:
if you really want to do your bindings by machine- there are good tutorials & videos available---watch them & practice- after a while you may figure out what works for you that you are happy with- me, i will stick with the (old fashioned way)

newbee3

I have also had the same problem like to do front by machine and back by hand it looks alot better in my opinion

AlienQuilter

My favorite machine way is no binding but bring the fabric from the back to the front, tuck under and hem. Depending on the fabric I will use either a straight stitch or a decorative stitch.

For the corners, I use my ruler and place it 1/4" from the corner (tip) and slice it off. I do that by lining up the 45 degree line with the top edge of the top (not the backing). Then I pull the backing fabric back, pretty sides together then sew from the corner to half way from where I cut it. Then finger press seam open and if necessary clip corner to decrease bulk. Pull the fabric back to the front and "pop" that corner out. It's easy then to tuck in the fabric for hemming. That's probably clear as mud. If I can figure out a way to do a video on it, I will or if someone knows of an online video showing this technique that would be great. My dear Mother-in-law showed me how to do this years ago and it's really neat since it makes a mitered corner and it's not bulky in the corner.

Rule of thumb - If I want a 1" hem, I trim the back to 2" from edge of top all the way around then trim corner. Make sure you are 1/4" from corner because of the seam allowance.

Krisb

Another "I don't like the look of machine binding" person here. Maybe more practice would make it better, but mine just look a little messy compared to hand sewn binding. And I like the hand sewn process, so only use machine bindings for charity quilts, and then mutter under my breath.

Quiltngolfer

Have you tried the new way with the flange? It's really neat. Do a search for flange binding.

QuiltingHaven

I agree with leatheflea. I machine sew them on the back and then hand sew them on the front. They have all looked nice and only took me maybe a week to do the hand sewing in the evening while watching TV with the DH.

patski

I only do machine binding. I think it gets better and better as you do the quilts, I do 99 % charity quilts and think they look good either way. My corners are flatter as I have learned to pin the corners more

mermaid

I use the machine for my charity quilts also, and I really don't think they look all that bad. I sew binding from the back, flip to front and pin-miter the corners...pinning around. Then I use the stitch that looks like a zig zag, except the zigs and zags are little machine stitches. Onto the binding with a zig and off on the quilt with a zag. Have I explained so anyone understands? I can adjust my "ZZ" to the width that looks good, and the little sewing stitches are about lgth 2 1/2 on the dial. Sometimes a 3. You just need to slow down and maneuver the corners to get them right.