I've been having problems with my hands so for the past few years so I've been putting the binding on by machine. You would sew the binding to the back of the quilt, turn it over and sew the edge of the binding on the front. Its so easy and probably a lot more durable. My friend, Amy F, does it that way but uses decorative stitches to sew the binding down and it looks great! Then I can save my hands for applique, which I love.