I’m going to tell you a little story about binding the quilt I showed you yesterday….
First let me say, I am not a purist. I sew my binding down by machine….The first quilts I made I sewed the binding down by hand but after stitches came loose a couple times I decided to use my sewing machine to tackle binding jobs.
Typically, I sew the binding to the back, bring it around and sew it down on the front. I know my quilts end up “looking different” but I don’t mind or care. Last week, I wanted to get a binding finished before I went to bed so I sat down and QUICKLY sewed it on. I was tired and didn’t realize that I had sewn the binding to the front! Now what? I didn’t want to hand sew it down. Then I remembered a tutorial I had seen from Patchwork Times, showing how to machine bind….. I decided to try it.
Here is the binding sewn down on the front.
Here is how I pinned it down.
Yes, the pins are on the back, and yes, you do run over the pins as you sew. You are sewing VERY slowly so it isn’t a big deal though.
I sewed “in the ditch” on the front side of the quilt.
Sew VERY slowly…..all the way around. I thought the corners would be tricky but I managed them just fine!
Here is what it looks like from the front and back.
My biggest fear in trying this method was that I wouldn’t catch the binding on the back side….but No Fear….I caught it all the way around….even the corners.
I think I am a convert. I think this is the method I will be using to sew my bindings on from now on.
Jo I don’t hand bind my quilts either. I almost always sew them to the back and bring them to the front and do a decorative stitch to sew the binding down. I too would be afraid that sewing them to the front would miss stitches in the back. Yours looks great!
I love this method and how clever of you to pin on the backside. I never would have thought of that! I’ll try that tip on my next binding. Thanks
I’ve used this technique for years but I use a decorative stitch. Figure since everything else is done by the machine, the binding won’t mind being sewn on by my Bernina either!
Jo, I usually bind my quilts by hand – but depending on the usage I will also so by machine. The latest technique I’ve used is to sew the first seam with the binding on the back rather than the front. This way I can be assured that I’m catching the binding including the mitered corners and I don’t even pin. I believe Pat Sloan has a video on YouTube using this technique.
I have seen Judy’s tutorial before on her binding method – but your pictures have helped immensely. I will have to try it out soon. Thanks for sharing!
Wow – nice job! I tried this method once with dismal results, I ended up picking it out and sewing it down by hand. I should give it another try.
Pamela in SOMD
I’ve always “thought” about machine stitching my binding but I just love sitting in the evenings and doing that part with TV. :-) Seeing your quilt again makes me want circle die all the more!!!
I love your bubble quilt. I have a stack of GO circles that have been collecting for just such a quilt. You may have inspired me to move it up on the list. I’ve tried the binding my machine but ended up missing the back. Maybe I just need to go slower.
Looks great! I don’t like to hand sew the binding either and so often if the quilt is used very much, it comes loose–grr! Please check out my website at http://www.farmersdotter.com! Let me know what ya think and would love to have you and some of your friends come visit!
It came out really nice.
I do hand bind mine, but I make a border and bring it to the back and sew mine to the back. I find it quick and easy to sew by hand and relaxing, but I am weird, lol.
Debbie
That looks really nice!! I can’t bring myself to stitch over pins though. I will walk my machine over them using the hand wheel but I’ve actually broken needles stitching over pins when I used to sew garments. And let me tell ya, that’s a scary moment.
Isn’t it amazing? I do pin mine opposite (so the heads are sticking out) and I pull them out before I get to them (sometimes). Some machines actually seem top sew over pins better than others. My Berninas never notice them. My Babylock clunks and usually dulls a needle (or worse) with each pin.
It came out just lovely! I sew my bindings to the front and hand stitch them to the back. I enjoy the handwork. I make my quilts to be used, and I have never had anyone get back to me later that the stitching let loose. When I think about all the old, hand sewn quilts that have survived through the years to bring us joy today, I figure if you do a good job, the purpose of the quilt won’t be compromised. Key words: enjoy handwork. If I didn’t, I’d find an alternative way, like you did. As a matter of fact, I think that your idea might be best with baby quilts because I hope they are being used and washed and dried often.~karen