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Member since 1/10/13
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Posted on: 5/28/16 9:16 PM ET
I'm trying to topstitch binding right next to the "edge" so it looks good and the binding lays flat without curling up. Problem is, even if it looks good on the front, when I turn it over, it's another story: Here and there, I either veer off the back of the binding entirely, or sew so far away from the edge that the edge curls up instead of laying flat. Pinning helps but that's it...
Help!
-- Edited on 5/28/16 at 9:18 PM --
  
Member since 4/1/08
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Posted on: 5/28/16 9:36 PM ET
In reply to D Hart
Check the Bumping Messages thread near the top of the Miscellaneous forum. You'll find a shortcut to threads on knit bindings and woven bindings. They are loaded with help.

Hand basting, in the end, can save a lot of time and frustration.
-- Edited on 5/29/16 at 0:07 AM --
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Member since 12/13/08
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Posted on: 5/28/16 9:53 PM ET
Don't try to sew both sides at once; that's a recipe for disaster. Once I got the hang of binding, I discovered that I absolutely love it.My preferred method is to sew the first side down by machine, then fold it over the edge and slipstitch the second side by hand. Doing it in two passes ensures that both sides get tacked down securely. The first pass of stitches is concealed by the binding, so you only have to concentrate on how the second pass looks. If you want to topstitch the second side (by machine), being able to move your needle position is a BIG help. You can get it exactly where you want it--not so close to the edge that it misses; not so far in that it leaves a sloppy edge.
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Member since 12/2/08
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Posted on: 5/29/16 0:32 AM ET
In reply to D Hart
Are you talking about knit binding for tee necklines or another type?
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Posted on: 5/29/16 2:40 AM ET
In reply to D Hart
As stirwaters says, it's best to sew the binding on in two phases. One important trick to be aware of is that in most commercial double-fold bias bindings the folds are not of the same widths. Usually, one side is a tad wider than the other. You sew the narrower side first, and when you flip it over, you see that having the wider edge underneath makes it easier to 'catch' it in the second pass of machine stitching from the top.

There's a photo tutorial for double-fold binding
here, just about halfway down the page.

Personally, after the first sewing pass and gently pressing the binding into place, I often find it useful to 'baste' the underlayer in place with tiny dots of fabric glue, such as Aleene's Tacky Glue, before I do the second stitching, as shown
here.
-- Edited on 5/29/16 at 2:49 AM --
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Elona
  
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Posted on: 5/29/16 9:21 AM ET
In reply to SewLibra
I'm sewing binding around the edges of a quilted saddle pad. Woven, not knit fabrics. Thanks!
  
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Posted on: 5/29/16 9:29 AM ET
In reply to a7yrstitch
Thanks for the referral to Bumping Messages!
  
Member since 5/28/10
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Posted on: 5/29/16 10:48 AM ET
Check Sharon Schamber's website for a video tutorial on binding.
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caroljeanne
  
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