I sew the binding to the back first, then iron it over to the front. Then I do a decorative stitch on top instead of a straight stitch. I feel like a straight stitch on my binding front does not give me the look I like on the front or back and I like the look of a decorative. I also like using variegated threads on the binding.

Kim, there are many binding methods! The traditional way is to sew it to the front and hand-sew on the back.

Your idea sounds like it would work - especially if you use a serpentine or other decorative stitch so it doesn't look like the stitching line is supposed to be straight. :)

Another method is called "birthing" - you sew the quilt around the edges right sides together (layer it with the top facing down, the backing facing up and batting on the bottom) all the way around except for an opening to turn it right side out (leave 4 to 6 inches open).

Turn it right sides out, press so that the seam lies right on the edge, sew the opening closed, and quilt it.

Donna

Thank you Donna and Lillypad. I agree that a decorative stitch would make the stitching look intentional and not just functional - pretty. Donna, with the birthing method...is the quilting difficult this way? Thinking it might be harder to keep tucks and puckers out and wonder if there is a good method to avoid either.

Yup, I sew to the back and flip to the front, too.

beverly

If it works...it doesn't hurt to do a given technique. Wrapping
from back over to quilt top can be very nice. You can do some
creative stitches. Especially with a crazy-quilt !

Thank you grammyp & frostythesewman. When you flip to the front does some of the binding appear on the back or do you flip all the way to the seam where the binding joins to the quilt? In the latter case I imagine the stitching appears around the quilt back about 1/4"-1/2" in from the edge, correct? Thanks.

Kim, the binding usually shows on both sides.

Donna