Binding - traditional or fancy machine stitched????

I recently finished my first traditional pieced quilt, had it quilted and now starting on binding. Question - I have previously hand sewn binding, after machine sewing on first side, but... wondering/thinking about using a fancy stitch on front side. Any suggestions? Anyone ever use a fancy stitch on front side of binding?
Thought I'd ask all of those that have MORE experience before I start! Have a great weekend, Sue

I've done a couple on kids quilts, but it's not always easy to get it lined up right on both sides. Most of the time I do mine the traditional way. I'm happier with the results, so I figure it's worth the extra time it takes. If you want to try it out, I'd suggest practicing on some scraps first to get the alignment right.

I'm doing the traditional on the jelly roll quilt I'm working on. I tried doing binding by machine but it didn't look so great, I think I need more practice.

I've done several quilts each way. The problem with the machine binding is that it might look pretty on top, but when you flip it over all your mistakes show. Personally (and from experience), the overall look is much better with the hand stitched binding. It's nice and neat and you can't see any seams.

I have completely switched to machine sewing both sides of my bindings. I use a fancy decorative stitch on the front and have always been very happy with the results. There are just not enough hours in the day to hand stitch all my bindings. I make about 2-4 quilts a week, depending on my level of ambition that week. Traditional binding is lovely, but with careful practice the machine can do it as well if not better than I.

I do it all the time and it comes out beautiful and I do get alot of compliments on my quilts. It really is up to you what you want to do just make sure your stitch you pick goes along with your quilt. Good luck oh you can see my quilts in my album and see what the binding looks like if you wish.

Wow I am impressed you do 2-4 quilts a week how do you do that it takes me weeks to do one lol

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Originally Posted by Midaem

I have completely switched to machine sewing both sides of my bindings. I use a fancy decorative stitch on the front and have always been very happy with the results. There are just not enough hours in the day to hand stitch all my bindings. I make about 2-4 quilts a week, depending on my level of ambition that week. Traditional binding is lovely, but with careful practice the machine can do it as well if not better than I.

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I got my daughter's quilt back from having it quilted by MSQC and was in such a hurry to let my daughter sleep under it that I sewed the binding down by machine. I don't have a decorative stitch on my machine so I used zig-zag stitch. I don't like the way it looks now. She is fine with it, but I was in a hurry, and regret it now. I always machine sew it on the front side and then hand stitch the back. So, I will be taking the zz out and doing it by hand.

I vote for traditional binding...sewing it onto the front and hand stitching on the back. :)

I sew also with my machine on the front and by hand on the back.
Love putting binding on a quilt, gives me a calming feeling and I know 3 corners done the next one is the last, and the quilt will be finished.........;)
It always takes less time then I think, works just great for me!

But either way you like can work out the best way for you, I'm just not happy with the backside of my quilts when I machine stitch the binding on.

Hi Sue,
The first quilt I made, I machine sewed the binding on both sides. I felt it turned out awful, so I ripped that whole thing out (queen size) and machine sewed the top and hand-stitched the back. The results were beautiful and I have hand-stitched ever since only because I think if you go to the time and effort of making a beautiful quilt, why ruin it with awful machine stitching. Now, if you are good at machine stitching and catching the back just right, that is different although I would still prefer a hand-stitched binding. It is just better quality, I think.
Piece and blessings, Sue,
Vicki

Thanks to all, such great responses! I also enjoy hand sewing binding, agree it is relaxing. Probably will go ahead and hand sew the back binding. I had previously used two fancy stitches on the "self binding baby blankets" from Jenny's tutorials and used a fancy stitch on the edge and loved it - thus the idea and question to all!
Hope you ALL have a great week.
The youngest is graduating from University of Arkansas this weekend, so true empty nesters we are! sue.