Binding {how I do it}

Occasionally people ask me how I do my binding, so I figured that I would take a few snaps as I was working on binding a mini-quilt that I have been making. This is not a tutorial - there are heaps of good ones around - more just a few details about how I like to do mine.
I cut my binding 2 1/4 inches wide:

And then attach it to the quilt using a generous 1/4 inch seam:

Once it is all attached I give the binding a good press before I start hand-sewing. I put my ruler next to it today for this shot. The seam is 1/4 inch and the binding is half an inch again:

This means that when you fold it over it just clears your stitching line. I like this form of binding because you get a nice full binding that is the same size on both sides. For the neat freak in me that is ridiculously satisfying!

This is what I am working on. It has taken me months to decide on a colour for the border - lots of people gave me feedback when I asked for help but there was no definitive winner between light and dark! Today was the day I bit the bullet and chose light. A bit of hand sewing and it will finally be done.