Binding - Is it by machine or is it by hand?

Binding - Is it by machine or is it by hand?

 

What do you think?  Did I bind this baby quilt, by hand or by machine?

 Here's another photo.....what do you think....hand or machine??

Well, it's completely done by MACHINE!

I've been using this method on ALL baby quilts, charity quilts, all wall hangings, all table toppers, bibs, hot pads, minis, mug rugs for the past 35 years.

Here's how:

Complete your binding as normal through the point where you sew the binding on the front of the quilt.

Here is my quilt from the back with the binding peeking out on the right:

Here is the quilt shown from the front.  It would have been easier to show on a quilt where the backing was different than the border, but on this one they are both the same polka dots.

 #1 With the back of the quilt towards you and the binding folded into place you will turn the folded binding back toward the front of the quilt as shown here:

On the above photo, the folded binding is on the top, the line of stitching is where the binding was sewn to the front of the quilt and on the bottom is the quilt backing.

 

#2  Lay the folded binding down toward your sewing machine bed and the quilt backing on top:

 #3 Set up your machine for zigzag stitching and place the folded quilt under the presser foot with the edge exactly in the center:

#4 This is how my machine is set for a small zigzag stitch:

 #5 Starting at the corner stitch the zigzag catching just the edge of the fold on the left and go off the edge on the right - yes, off the edge.

#6 Make sure every stitch on the left catches both the fold of the back of the quilt AND the binding:

#7 When you get to the end, stop and tie off the thread:

 

 #8  This is what it looks like when unfolded:

#9  You may not like this on your heirloom quilt, but for baby quilts and charity quilts that will be washed often, it is very sturdy.  For wall hangings, table toppers etc., the back is rarely seen.

This is where you have to decide for yourself if you like or dislike this look on the back.

 #10 Here is what it should look like from the edge before you unfold it and flattened it:

I think it looks pretty good from the front:

It does take practice, but I can finish a baby quilt in 45 minutes and a large charity quilt in less than two hours!

That gives me more time for the NEXT quilt!

Let me know if you try this and have any questions!