If you have been reading my blog for very long you probably know I’m not a fan of machine binding. It doesn’t bother me if other quilter’s put their binding on by machine, it just isn’t something I’m very good at. Because I’m not good at it, I don’t like doing it.
But sometimes, a girl just has to step up and do things that are outside her comfort zone. Working on Rita’s quilt was one of those times. She asked me to quilt and bind a quilt she was giving as a gift and we were in a bit of a time crunch. Rita usually likes her binding put on by machine so I have had opportunity to practice. And I have to say, this most recent project looks pretty darn good.
For me, the key to a successful machine binding is using the correct settings on my machine in combination with binding cut an appropriate width. I finally realized that those will probably be different for every quilt as so much depends on the loft of the batting and the width of the binding.
For Rita’s quilt, I cut the binding at 2-3/4″ width, and sewed it to the back of the quilt using a 3/8″ seam allowance. This allowed the binding to be folded to the front and stitched along the top edge without stitching through the binding on the back side. It also made the binding a bit wider which shows off that great striped fabric.
Binding being stitched on the top of the quilt
In the pic above, you can see how the stitches from the front run right alongside the back of the binding. This is the look I was going for – yay! BTW, don’t you just love that backing fabric and the striped binding? This quilt was a kit from Bluprint (Craftsy) and has a Kaffe Fasset feel to it. Anyway…I digress. Back to the binding…..
I’m really pleased with the binding on Rita’s quilt. I’ll keep practicing so I can be sure all the bindings I do by machine look this good. It certainly is a lot faster than stitching everything down by hand! (But I do love to have hand work to do – makes me feel connected to the quilt.)
What is your preferred method of binding?
Oh, I almost forgot! Here’s a pic of the design I quilted. We used an allover design of dragonflies since the quilt will be given to Rita’s granddaughter. The thread blends pretty well but I’ve circled one of the dragonflies in red in the pic below.
Have a great weekend!
Beautiful job on the binding, Beth, and the dragon flies are adorable!
Hi Beth! I have avoided machine sewn down bindings for the same reason you did. Maybe if I practiced it more . . . but I still have my doubts that it would look as nice as yours does. That looks just perfect! Exactly what I would wish for so you keep doing it, girl. You’ve got this in spades . . . and think how much time it is going to save you! ~smile~ Roseanne
My preferred method is for someone else to do it. =)
Great binding! I have come to love machine binding and do it different ways for different reasons. I love doing it to the front but often times forget – old habits. I love the flange binding too and love doing it by hand but the speed of machine binding wins more often than I’d like to admit!
You are so right about finding the perfect settings on your machine and perfect width for the binding. Once I had that it went very well and I don’t mind binding anymore! And since I use the same batting it is easy to do each piece. Love the stripe for the binding.
Very pretty! The binding stitching looks great.
Magnificent!
Wow! That binding is amazing! I have quite a bit of skill growth to go with my machine binding, but sometimes it just needs to be done. You have given me hope. 🙂
I adore that quilting too btw! So pretty!
I have only tried machine binding once and it didn’t turn out I guess that is why I also do it by hand too – like everything it takes practice!
I don’t love machine binding, because I have trouble with the stitching landing in the wrong place. I might have to try your idea. I love to hand stitch a binding for the same reason as you. It seems to just complete the quilt for me, like closing the back cover of a good book with a sigh. 🙂
Great looking binding. I have a hard time with machine binding also. Having the stitching on the back going along side of the binding ,instead of on the binging in the back, is something I’m going to work on. Thanks for the good pictures.
Blessings. Diane