So I hate to hand stitch binding, that’s no secret. But lately, I’ve been reading a lot of about doing it all by machine, so I knew I had to try it. Just for the record, I won’t be doing it again, but I wanted to share my results with you.
So I stitched it by machine to the back of the quilt first. Then I flipped it around to the front, and used a decorative stitch to secure it. This is what I started with…
This is the front on the top, and back on the bottom. Pretty, right? I thought it looked pretty good. One problem I had was that the stitches weren’t even lengths. Some were really close together, some were really wide. I was still okay with that though. Remember, I really hate the hand stitching. But then I got impatient. Because of the detail of the stitches, it was going very slow. So then I switched to this…
This didn’t work very well either. Can you see how it’s kind of bunching it up? I thought all the layers would substitute for stabilizer, but it didn’t. Plus, this was just the best looking section of the back I could find. Most of it wasn’t centered across the binding on the back. It was either all on the binding, or all the quilt. It looked really bad. So then I switched to this…
This was the worst. I couldn’t even get it straight on the front, and it’s all over the place on the back. Horrible. And I don’t like that little lip that it forms at the edge of the binding.
So there you go. I have learned a new-found appreciation for hand stitching on the binding. Because after all the work on the quilt, it’s now ruined by the binding. As much as I hate the way it turned out, I’m not going to rip it all and redo. I’m going to leave it there as a reminder for the next time I complain about having to bind. I’ll chalk it up to a lesson learned.
I get what you are saying TOTALLY! I have never been able to machine stitch a binding…it’s ALWAYS crookedand doesn’t line up right. I don’t mind the hand stitching on the binding though. I do it while watching TV…it goes by quickly and looks great. There’s also a sense of peace…the quilt is done and that last bit of hand stitching is quite relaxing.
When we were doing a lot of charity quilts, I started doing my binding on the machine. I found a really good decorative stitch that worked great for my machine. I actually did not do it right on the seam line. I went into the binding just about 1/8″ and ran the decorative stitch all the way around. It really worked great, and actually felt more secure. Esp that these were charity quilts, some going to children who might give the quilt some rough treatment. Don’t give up. Try again. Whenever I do another quilt like that, I will try to post pictures on my blog.
Oh, very interesting. thanks for sharing. I don’t mind handstitching though in front of the tv, it helps pass the time.
I wish you lived nearer. Hand stitching binding is my most favourite thing to do so i’d do them for you!
I tried doing on the machine too once and my attemps weren’t successful either but i bet with a bit of playing you’ll find something that works although, i lreally ike the first one. B.x.
P.S. My binding stitching is so much better than my typing 🙂
I love hand stitching the bindings! My mom hates it and does all of hers on her machine. She started out doing a decorative stitch, but it uses a TON of thread, especially on a queen size quilt.
Just a thought- have you tried doing it with your walking foot?
I also don’t mind handstitching if I do it in front of the tv.
Micki
I have not ever been able to do a machine stitched binding that I am happy with….like yours, the back is “all over the place”. sigh….
I like the first maching binding stitch attempt. It is quite nice and I am not seeing the uneven stitiches you talked about. I think it looks kind of shabby-chic.
I love to hand sew the binding on – but I hate quilting. (I know, how terrible is that?)
UGH! Machine stitching on a binding? I can never get that right!
I agree with Anita – I find the hand sewing relaxing and it actually gives me an excuse to sit down!
:)S
I had expected to absolutely hate binding but I don’t for some reason. It’s cutting fabric I don’t enjoy at all!
I’m not sure whose technique you’re using but we’ve trained developmentally disabled adults to do a good quality machine binding so I’m sure you can do it if you have the right tools and techniques. You’ve inspired me to put a tutorial on Craft Nectar since so many people commenting seem to struggle with this. In the mean time, here are a few tips:
Get a Clover binding tool and a good iron. Other binding tools don’t give you as consistent and crisp a binding. Your binding needs to be really consistent on both sides. It will also help if you’ve quilted pretty close to the edge of the quilt so all of the layers aren’t trying to separate as you put the binding on. That will help a lot. The developmentally disabled adults that bind our blankies for us find that it’s helpful for them to use 1/4″ fusible binding strips on one side of the binding before they stitch so nothing moves around.
I promise to get a tutorial up soon so don’t give up on the idea of machine binding!