Machine binding both sides of a quilt is my go to method. It is not for everyone or every project. As with any technique, it takes practice so it doesn’t look sloppy. Best results come with use of your walking foot.
For my binding I usually go with a solid color, cutting about 5-6 2.5 inch strips, the width of the fabric. Start mid way through one side, leaving a 5-6 inch tail above your first stitch. Sew the binding to the front, mitering the corners.
As you complete the corner of the side you first started, you will want to stop your stitches to leave another 5-6 inch tail. Your tails should overlap by at least 1 inch in order to leave enough room to sew the tails together.
From your mark, cut tails so you have a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Sew the tails together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Some people like to do a different method to make this seam less thick. However, I haven’t practiced enough and it just looks terrible. This is easy, just takes a bit more finessing on the back…later.
Start your stitches from your last stopping point and stitch all the way to your starting stitches, this is usually about 5 inches.
Turn the quilt over and start in a corner. Its helpful to have it so when you turn the binding over, it lays at the outside of your walking foot.
Start in the corner and sew all the way to the other end of the side. Use your fingers to help hold the binding over.
Sewing at a constant medium speed helps to keep the stitch straight and allows you time to inch with your fingers holding the binding in place.
Near the 1/4 inch from the front, slow down, try to not go over that line. Backstitch a couple of stitches and cut your thread.
At the next corner start your stitches at the line you just sewed. Take a couple of stitches, then backstitch. Follow the same method from the previous side.
Continue all the way around the quilt.
This is how the binding will look from the back.
At the seams, take your time. With practice these will become easier.
When you flip the quilt over here is the line you will see. May not work for every quilt or project, but a good technique to know. By using the outside of your walking foot, you avoid the stitches going onto the binding on the front.
Have you tried this technique? If so what works and what doesn’t for you?