MissQuilter

Just a comment on hand stitching. I love to hand stitch and always do my bindings that way. Relaxing while watching TV, therapeutic for my hands. I have a couple of quilts that do not have one machine stitch in the entire quilt, many that are machine sewn.... Love it all! But regarding STURDINESS.. I am repairing an edge on a quilt I made my older son maybe 28 years ago or so... the binding was not worn out, the dog put a bite on the edge... so I decided to fix the spot and replace the binding. This quilt has been washed and loved and washed some more.....It has been a cover, a tent a fort, all sorts of things... That binding was on just as firmly as it was when I first applied it! It is even hard to remove! So I guess hand stitching can be pretty sturdy as well.

karenpatrick

It's your quilt and you can do it any way you want. I do it both ways.

Lynneander

I think it is just a matter of personal preference. There are so many beautiful stitches on a machine which would make the binding very pretty. Personally I am a hand quilter, so my choice is to finish by hand. Whatever you decide, the quilt is your own creation and I believe should reflect your personality.

okiepastor

Hand stitching the binding gives a softer hand and better drape than machine stitching......and sorry if someone else already made that comment--in a hurry this am!

duckydo

is there a tut on sewing the binding on? I ususal end up with mine looiing messy, but I think it would save lots of time

Lavada

as i hand quilt i also bind by hahd but it should be up to you the maker

krisgray

I do it by machine - especially for kids quilts as they get lots of washing.

hcarpanini

I personally like the way it looks hand stitched to the back. When I machine sew to the front, it mashed down the fabric and makes it flat!

krisgray

a good tute for machine binding is at www.patchworktimes.com.

Aurora

I choose to sew my binding on by hand because that is the way my grandmother did hers. For me this is very important.