sewing binding

[sewcarolyn]

I think people who have read my posts know that hand sewing on the binding is my least favorite part of quilting. If I don't have a time line then the quilt sits with the binding sewed on and ready to be hand stitched for months... Is there a simple way to machine sew both sides...or a trick to make sure the binding doesn't roll when attempting to sew it 'stitch in the ditch'. I can tailor wool suits, sew complex vogue patterns and y seams are not scary but this....

can't you tell I have ones to do for gifts.....

[Evie]

You can use that tape that's fusible on both sides and secure the binding down that way. I've seen Eleanor use a fusible thread also. Make sure it extends past the seam line on the front of the quilt. Then, using the walking foot or maybe that one that helps with stitch in the ditch. Carefully sew from the front side in the ditch between the binding and the quilt. I have also seen Fons and Porter do this.

I like to do this on childrens quilts since they get a lot of wear and tear. I have gone over with a needle and thread by hand to stitch down the places that it missed.

[Checkers]

I have seen quilters use their fancy machine stitches on the binding. I tried it and really made a mess. I hand stitch. I do the corners first - maybe 10 inches each way - and then finish off the middles. Seems to go faster that way. At least mentally.
Mary

[sewcarolyn]

Evie great idea, I will see if I have some of the tape
Mary I will try doing the corners of the one I have started that would mentally help and then my daughter might be willing to help with a side if I laid it out across the table

[sadiedaisy1]

I used to machine sew my bindings on all the time. I hated the thought of hand sewing them down, but I find that I'm enjoying that process more now as I can do it while I watch TV in the evenings.

For machine sewing the binding I found that making the binding larger than normal helped to catch the back side when stitching in the ditch on the front side. I also basted the back side down to ensure I would catch it. Usually I still had to go back over a couple of places, but it was still way faster than hand stitching it down and definitely more secure for a kid's quilt.

I'm working on a quilt for my 6 y.o. niece right now and I tried a new technique to me--sewed the binding on to the back side and will attempt to do some kind of decorative stitch as I machine stitch it to the front. I know she won't care how it looks so I thought it was a perfect time to practice this.

I also read a tip recently to hold binding in place as you are hand sewing it is to use the metal hair clips. I thought that sounded like a good idea.

Hope some of these ideas help.

[Evie]

Just had another thought.

Whenever I use fleece or minkee for backing, instead of binding it, I pull the back edges over to the top, tuck in a half inch, then hem it with my walking foot. This is how we did it for all our quilts when I was a kid. Never heard of binding a quilt until I started taking lessons at the quilt store.

[apolta]

Sorry you are having trouble Carolyn... I am one of those weirdos that enjoys the hand stitching of binding... I make an ugly mess when I try to machine stitch them down... I even tried the fancy stitches... I do use the clips to hold it in place and that works like a charm... and I'm going to try doing the corners first like Mary suggested... great idea Checkers!

Good luck Carolyn... let us know how it turns out!
Hugs!
-Alina-

[SewSew]

Carolyn, I usually sew bindings by hand but when in a pinch I do use my machine.

Using the same color of thread as the binding on top and a thread that matches the backing in my bobbin I attach the binding to the back of the quilt and fold over to the front. I pin my binding down on the front and line it up just slightly over the stitching line where I first attached the binding to the back. I make sure I stitch close to the edge of the binding as I keep it lined up just over the back stitching line. If you are using a print fabric for the backing it works best because then your stitches are camoflaged by your design.

I do hope this helps.

Ann

[sewbug]

After sewing the binding on by machine, I put a thin line of Elmer's school glue on the binding, press it to hold in place exactly as straight as I want, then either machine sew it down or hand sew. Elmer's school glue washes right out, it's just very thick starch, not glue at all.

[knitnoid]

I sew my binding down by machine. I feel as long as I catch it, it will be sturdier than any hand stitching I may do. But to make it work, the binding has to fold over far enough on the back so when stitching in the ditch you catch it. So this is what I do.

I cut my binding 2 1/2" wide and fold in half. I start off with a 3/8" seam allowance. I sew maybe 10" in length and then check to see how it will fold to the back. I then adjust the the seam allowace accordingly. Sometimes I have to do this 2 or 3 times until I get it right.

Then when I have the binding completely on the front, I will fold and pin the binding in place for about 15-20 inches at time. More than that and my arm gets stuck with pins. Periodically, I'll check to see if I've missed spots. If it's huge, I'll stop and fix it before moving on. If it's just a tiny spot, I'll wait until the end to fix it. On the last quilt I bound, I had 2 spots -- one of which I thought I'd never get fixed.

Sometimes, instead of waiting until I get then entire binding sewn on, I'll start sewing it down. So I stitch it to the quilt for about 3 or 4 feet, breakoff and then turn it back and stitch it down, stopping a few inches from where I broke off so I can start stitching it to quilt.

I'm certain there quilters who if they read this you would hear them gasp, or even pass out after they read my description, but hey I want a well contructed quilt that can be used and gently abused, not hung on the wall or left on a shelf for future generations.