Yooper32

I usually use either the Serpentine stitch or the Feather stitch.

Mariposa

I usually do a straight stitch.

Suz

I also stitch the binding on the back. My preparation then is to press the binding outward toward the edge of the project. Carefully stick the nose of your iron into the mitered corners. Turn the project over and press the perimeter all the way around again. You will note then how flat the edge is - no waves. And lastly, I miter the corners (and the overlap) and pin securely before adding a deco stitch. Fiddle with this miter until you are satisfied. Doing this is so much better and easier than doing it as you stitch and hoping it will be okay. --- Remember, judges will always look at your corners!

One other important thing: put on your walking foot. Use it to attach the first binding stitches all the way thru the deco stitching. This will help w/stretching or easing in any fullness of project or binding.

fayeberry

chicken foot stitch is my favorite, though have used straight and zig zag

RedGarnet222

There are videos about this at some of the sewing machine sites and Utube. I have still to learn this skill. I hand bind even the most utilitarian of quilts. I like the hands on feel of it.

Macybaby

Straight stitch - and it works really great using my Juki straight stitch machine with the narrow foot. before I got this machine I did it on a zigzag machine moving the needle over, and that never worked out as well as this one. Key is to not press the fold first, and keep the edge right at the inner side of the foot.

This picture was done to show someone how to do a small opening without an open arm machine- but it shows the placement of the fabric well.

quilterpurpledog

I am machine binding for the first time on a bed quilt I made for a grandson. The border is pieced and has points that must not be cut off to be pretty. I stitched the binding on the back and pressed it very carefully with all edges going toward the binding. I turned it to the front so I could place the fold up against the points in question and stitched it with a strait stitch in a color to match the binding (black) I am really pleased with it. I had to stop last night because I ran out of bobbin and will start again right after I get home from church. I have always done the old hand method and enjoy doing it. However, with this project I did not think I could hit all those points just right by placing the binding first on the front. I may have reached a new milestone because this is really not difficult if you cut and press carefully.

ShannanMN

Oooh, I like that idea!

I always machine stitch my binding. I'd love to hand stitch but I'm a) way too impatient and b) BAD eyes.
depending on the front of the quilt, I attach to the front or back (the opposite of whichever I can hide the thread in) then use a straight stitch and top stitch down the other side. My quilts too are very utilitarian. I prefer the look of the hand stitched but I just can't seem to do it.

quilt9226

I sew binding on the back, flip to front and sew down with straight stitch. I quilt for a nonprofit that gives away quilts. It is not uncommon to have 80-100 tops waiting to be quilted. Since we quilt so many, speed is necessary and this method works the best.

bakermom

I like to use the serpentine stitch. It looks good on both sides.