Machine Binding

[Sew Joyful]

Hi,
Is there a way to machine bind a quilt without seeing the stitches on the back of the quilt? It is my understanding that one starts attaching the binding to the back of the quilt, and then bring it to the front to finish with the sewing machine. How do you make sure it looks flawless on the front and back (invisible stitches)?

[NanaB]

Re: Machine Binding

I've only machine stitched one binding so far. I guess if you stitched in the ditch from the back the stitches would pretty much be hidden. I don't know how you would make sure the corners were done well, though. Hope someone can give us BOTH the answers!!

[Sew Joyful]

Re: Machine Binding

I've only machine stitched one binding so far. I guess if you stitched in the ditch from the back the stitches would pretty much be hidden. I don't know how you would make sure the corners were done well, though. Hope someone can give us BOTH the answers!!

Do you prefer hand binding? Does it take long to finish a quilt? Any issues with it holding up with washing?

[WVGranny]

Re: Machine Binding

I stitch my binding to the back, bring it to the front, lining it up with my stitching from the back stitching, then sewing it close to the edge I also use invisible thread in the bobbin.

[NanaB]

Re: Machine Binding

Do you prefer hand binding? Does it take long to finish a quilt? Any issues with it holding up with washing?

I was never happy with the outcome when I tried to sew the binding down by machine until I did this last one. It was a 'Prayer Quilt' commissioned by a friend at church. I wanted to get it done for her so she could pass it on to her friend. And, since I was charging her by the hour, I wanted to keep the cost down. I have never had an issue with hand-stitched binding, and I wash my quilts a lot. They are USED!

[NanaB]

Re: Machine Binding

I stitch my binding to the back, bring it to the front, lining it up with my stitching from the back stitching, then sewing it close to the edge I also use invisible thread in the bobbin.

I will try that next time. Do you machine wind the bobbin thread?

[WVGranny]

Re: Machine Binding

Yes its alittle touchy to get it started but it winds fine on my machine and I've never had to adjust my tension for it .

[Slokarma]

Re: Machine Binding

It takes practice. After you sew binding to back, you iron it and then pull it to the front. You lay it even with the stitch line, exactly even, almost to the short side is best. I have used an Elmers Glue stick to "baste" the binding down. I like to use a blanket stitch, depending on the style, I might use a more decorative thread, or I'll pick the thread that fades into the fabric. IF your binding is laying perfectly even on the seam line and IF you sew a straight line, I think it looks pretty nice. You could do a straight stitch. I've done that and used a 1/4 inch foot to help guide the quilt and keep it straight. The straight stitch works if you are on the very edge front and back. Or a tiny zig zag stitch, which is my least favorite.

There is a blog that talks about this and if I find it I'll let you know.

This is a method that I use on what I consider user quilts…If it was more of an Heirloom quilt I'd do the hand basting. My hands are arthritic and I hold a needle like it's a spear and boy, it just causes my hands to hurt so badly.

One more method I'm going to try …I just bought the DVD. Quilters Touch: Sew Precise, Sew Fast? Machine Binding and I'm sure this will be the magic way and I will live happily ever after….

[vchale]

Re: Machine Binding

It takes practice. After you sew binding to back, you iron it and then pull it to the front. You lay it even with the stitch line, exactly even, almost to the short side is best. I have used an Elmers Glue stick to "baste" the binding down. I like to use a blanket stitch, depending on the style, I might use a more decorative thread, or I'll pick the thread that fades into the fabric. IF your binding is laying perfectly even on the seam line and IF you sew a straight line, I think it looks pretty nice. You could do a straight stitch. I've done that and used a 1/4 inch foot to help guide the quilt and keep it straight. The straight stitch works if you are on the very edge front and back. Or a tiny zig zag stitch, which is my least favorite.

There is a blog that talks about this and if I find it I'll let you know.



This is a method that I use on what I consider user quilts…If it was more of an Heirloom quilt I'd do the hand basting. My hands are arthritic and I hold a needle like it's a spear and boy, it just causes my hands to hurt so badly.

One more method I'm going to try …I just bought the DVD. Quilters Touch: Sew Precise, Sew Fast? Machine Binding and I'm sure this will be the magic way and I will live happily ever after….

Let us know how this works! I have done hand stitching to the back(looks best but I am sloooow and it hurts my hands), straight stitching on top close to the edge ( looks ok on front but you can see the stitching on the back) and decorative stitching(my least favorite).

[JCY]

Re: Machine Binding

I stitch my bindings on the front first, then turn them to the back. If you measure carefully with a gauge, your binding will be the same width all the way around on the back. I pin it, then press. (I do not press the binding strips in half first before sewing on the front.) You then can do SITD, sewing on the front, & the stitching will be quite even on the back. It's a quicker way to sew down the binding. It works great for baby quilts. If it's a special quilt, I use the same technique, but hand hem on the back side. I have posted this pic before, but will post it again. Noah's Ark #2 - Stitching - Jan., 2014 003.jpg JCY

[Peggi]

Re: Machine Binding

Here is a tutorial for binding with a flat fell foot. I haven't tried it yet, I'm still trying to locate a flat fell foot for my machine. But it looks very simple and easy, and according to the blogger, you end up with a perfect binding!

Happy Feet ? Quilt Binding Edition | A Woman A Day

[Slokarma]

Re: Machine Binding

well that very interesting! Using a flat fell foot makes sense and I've always wanted one of those! Now I have another reason to buy one.

[Jen7]

Re: Machine Binding

Peggi, thanks so much for sharing this link! I have given up on machine binding and sew all bindings by hand on the back. But if I could find a flat fell foot for my machine....I think I may give this a try, at least for placemats, table runners and the like.

[rebeccas-sewing]

Re: Machine Binding

Thanks for the introduction to the flat fell foot! I have never seen one of those and often wondered how the clothing manufacturers produced that type of seam. I see there's one for the Husqvarna Viking. I wonder if it fits on my model? I'm pretty sure the model I have at home is either the Sapphire 830 or 850. Does anyone know if the flat fell foot Viking offers fits on those two models?

[Preeti]

Re: Machine Binding

Hi,
Is there a way to machine bind a quilt without seeing the stitches on the back of the quilt? It is my understanding that one starts attaching the binding to the back of the quilt, and then bring it to the front to finish with the sewing machine. How do you make sure it looks flawless on the front and back (invisible stitches)?

1. I machine stitch the binding to the front of the quilt.
2. Turn it to the back and hand baste it, making sure that the stitch line on the back is completely covered by the binding.
3. Then, I stitch in the ditch from the front, slowly, almost one stitch at a time.

My Janome has an adjustable speed and I make sure it is set to the slowest. Here is a picture showing the first two steps completed. It helps a lot if the color of the border, the binding and thread color match well. It hides the mistakes better :-)
Binding Basting.jpg