I'm in danger of finishing a quilt - this hasn't happened for a long time :) But I see my least favourite task rapidly approaching: the binding. I usually do double binding, stitched to the right side and finished on the back.
Two problems that always stress me:first, how wide a strip to cut? This quilt is 60in square. Then, worst moment of all, finishing it off. I see those two ends getting closer and closer to each other and the panic rises. I always end up bodging them together, having got in a terrible tangle over which sides go together, 45 degree angles etc etc. Can anyone describe to me how to do it, or recommend a good and vey clear tutorial?

I found this tutorial about a year ago and it really helped me. http://www.moosequilts.com/BindingTutorialWeb.pdf

Before that, I was just making a mess of my binding. I did do a couple of practice runs on scraps before I tried it on an actual quilt and I did get it twisted a couple of times like she said can happen.

I also do double binding and I cut my strips at 2 1/2 inches.

There is a tute on yu tube- it really helped me! Made it a lot easier!

I have a few Tutotial listing that help me...I watch them all every time i am about to bind...I hate binding but its beginning to get easier. http://www.thriftyideastoday.com/201...ng-sashes.html

I use the Fons and Porter binding tool and it helps me to get a good joint. The tutes are very good, too. In use 2 1/2 inch binding on all of my projects except table runners and then sometimes I'll go down to 2 1/4. Don't let this final step stop you from completing your beautiful quilt. Every time I do one, I get more confidence and it seems to look better. Think positive in that this is the final step and soon your work will be completed and ready to use.

I am still learning this too, it gets easier with practice.

I want to try that binding tool.Connie in CO

I put the binding on a new quilt last night - using the tutorial I mentioned earlier. The binding is perfectly matched and my mitered corners look really good.

My problem now is the final stitching. I sew the binding to the back and then turn it over and sew the front side. I can't seem to avoid having the stitching show through on the back. On this quilt, the binding is red and the back is blue. If I used blue thread in the bobbin there would be blue in some spots on the binding. I used red so now I have a lot of red stitching showing on the backing. It's a dilemma that I haven't overcome yet.

A friend recommended that I use monofilament but I am making charity quilts for Quilts for Kids and they don't want you to use that - and they don't want anything hand-stitched.

Does anyone have this binding tool??? Is it worth it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAGrGz6ukn0

I watched the tutorial and I'm sure the tool is helpful - but it is really enabling you to do the exact same thing as this one:

http://www.moosequilts.com/BindingTutorialWeb.pdf

If you skip to Step 13 in that guide, you will see pretty much the same thing as the video. And it's free!