Using a Double Fold Binder for your CS Machine-dwn

The ability to do pretty binding was a huge reason I bought my CS machine, a Brother 2340CV. Mine, however, did not come with a binder, and the one made for the machine was very spendy. So, I bought an industrial one on ebay for $20.

It came, but there were no instructions. Hmm. Undeterred, I scoured the internet for tutorials on how to use the thing. I found a couple of excellent ones, including this one:
http://www.cedesign.com/familyphotos...der/index.html

However, I still was having problems, in particular how to get the fabric fed into the binder properly. So, I set aside a couple of hours to figure this out, did lots of experimenting, and eventually came up with a way that works very nicely. This tute is the result.

Keep in mind that this is how I do it, on my particular machine. Your machine and binder attachment may be different!

1. The Equipment
You will need your binder. There are different sizes - mine uses 1.5" strips.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0807.jpg

You will also need some sort of tool like an awl, crochet hook, or even a seam ripper will work:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0806.jpg

2. Your garment
If you are doing a neckline, leave one shoulder seam undone. Here is my naked neckline, a raglan:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0809.jpg

3. CS machine set-up
After lots of experimenting, I found that using the center and right needles work best.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0810.jpg

My tensions are set at 4.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0812.jpg

On my machine, I like to place the binder so that the large rectangular section lines up with the "crack" on my CS machine:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0813.jpg

Now, if your binder came with your machine, you will probably be able to attach it securely with screws, or something similar. Mine did not come with that. Something like sticky-tack will work too, but I use a slightly more rustic approach:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0861.jpg

4. Cutting your binding strips
Like I said, my binder uses 1.5 inch strips. I know because that is stamped onto it. Luckily, I have a ruler that is exactly 1.5 inches across:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0840.jpg

I disregard any pattern pieces for binding, and just cut very long strips - longer than I really need (just in case!).

Cut one end on an angle, for easy feeding into the binder:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0841.jpg

6. Inserting the strips into the binder
With the WRONG side of the fabric facing you, take your awl, or long, thin tool of your choice, and push the strip through the binder:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0844.jpg

I didn't take a picture of it, but make sure you feed your binding through the serpentine guides at the other end, although not all binders have these.

Once you get it all pushed through, it will look something like this:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0846.jpg

Fold the raw edges in toward the center, then fold in the middle (to make it look like binding), and then put it under the pressure foot, making sure that the strip goes between the two prongs of the binder:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0848.jpg

Make a few stitches to get it going, and to ensure that the stitches are where you want them. If not, you may need to adjust the placement of your binder a little.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0853.jpg

7. Time to bind!
Here is where I had the most trouble at first: getting the garment fed into the binding. I finally figured out this method.

Take your little awl, or long, thin tool, and "stuff" your fabric into the crack right in front of the prongs of the binder:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0858.jpg

Start sewing. The fabric will be fed under the pressure foot, along with the binding.

You may need to stop occasionally to "stuff" it again - just don't "stuff" it too hard, or you may create tucks in the fabric.

Also, a word about going over seams in the garment. Many people hammer down their seams to get them nice and flat before putting them through a coverstitcher. That works.

But I have found that my CS machine can smell my fear: if I start to panic as a seam is coming up, and slow down, it will hiccup going over that seam. I have found that if I just keep going at a rapid clip, it goes over the seam no problem. I guess it needs some momentum to get over it! Also, make sure there are no serger threads hanging out over that seam - my CS machine HATES loose threads.

8. You're done! Almost!
Once you finish with your binding, you can just cut off any extra at the beginning and end.

But while I'm here, I'm just going to quickly review how to end your CS and get your fabric out - and this goes for any coverstitching you do (especially on a Brother), not just binding.

Turn all your tensions to zero. Take your awl (such a handy little tool!) and put it behind your threads; then pull them out about 6-8 inches:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0863.jpg

Pull your garment out - straight back - keeping your awl behind the threads so they don't get tangled:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...DSCF0864-1.jpg

Cut the needle threads, then pull your garment free. The needle threads will go to the bottom of your garment. Now, some people will tie these threads: If I am going to stitch over it anyway, I just trim them.

9. The finished product
Here is what it looks like, from the right side:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0867.jpg

And from the inside:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0868.jpg

10. Closing the seam
Some people just serge that other shoulder seam right away: I have problems doing this. My serger always grabs one side and pulls it so that one edge of my binding sits higher than the other.

To get around this, I always stitch down the width of the binding only (not the whole seam) on my sewing machine before putting it through the serger.

Then of course I lock my serger threads by pulling them through with an upholstery needle.

Once you have that seam all finished, it's a nice idea to tack down the seam with a bar tack or zig zag stitch, across the width of the binding. This way, the seam will sit flat.

DONE!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...d/DSCF0877.jpg

I hope this helps anybody who has a binder that has been sitting, lonely and forlorn, in a drawer for months...

carolyn

Nice job! Thanks for doing this. I spent a few hours figuring mine out too:) I also use my sewing machine to tack down the binding before serging the seam shut. It just makes it line up nicely every time. I love the look of binding, so professional!

thanks! I`ve been eyeing that exact binder on ebay! maybe now i`ll get the courage to order it!

What perfect binding! Thanks for sharing this. I even learned something and I don't use a cs. I will try that tip with sewing the binding before serging. Sometimes I prefer to do my necklines in the flat and the serging at the end can mess it up.

Thanks for this tutorial it's great. I just got a cs machine, but I have been a little afraid to try out the binder, but I am going to do it. The binding really does look fabulous with the binder.

Oh great, I want a CS machine... I am however, setting my eyes on a janome 1200d serger that does CS:)

Way to go Carolyn!

Now if only I had a CS machine!

I have that exact same set up (same CSer and eBay binder)!!! I have tried using the binder several times and made a mess. I can already see some things I was doing wrong (including not anchoring down the binder well enough). I'm going to have to break it out and follow your steps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cobblestone

10. Closing the seam
Some people just serge that other shoulder seam right away: I have problems doing this. My serger always grabs one side and pulls it so that one edge of my binding sits higher than the other.

To get around this, I always stitch down the width of the binding only (not the whole seam) on my sewing machine before putting it through the serger.

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Thanks for the tutorial. The same website where you saw the other binding tute has info on fixing the problem with closing the seam:

http://www.cedesign.com/familyphotos...der/index.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shelly

Thanks for the tutorial. The same website where you saw the other binding tute has info on fixing the problem with closing the seam:

http://www.cedesign.com/familyphotos...der/index.html

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Yeah....I've seen that. I just never got the hang of doing it. Just didn't work for me!

Thanks Carolyn! That was awesome!

Woot! I broke out my CS yesterday and followed your tute. It worked out great! Thank you. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DiaperMamaSteph

Woot! I broke out my CS yesterday and followed your tute. It worked out great! Thank you. :)

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Oh, I'm so happy that it worked for you! Yay!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I just tried my binder again while looking at your tutorial, and it worked!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ericaeli

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I just tried my binder again while looking at your tutorial, and it worked!

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Yay! Binding is so much fun now, isn't it? Not the dreaded chore that it used to be?

Even if I get the binder lined up perfectly, the fabric in it tends to 'drift' when I'm using it and I always end up running off the garment. Anyone happen to know how to solve this?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rzberrymom

Even if I get the binder lined up perfectly, the fabric in it tends to 'drift' when I'm using it and I always end up running off the garment. Anyone happen to know how to solve this?

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This is why I use my little awl tool to keep pushing the garment fabric back into the fold of the binding, before it goes under the needles. I keep a pretty close eye on the fabric as I'm sewing to make sure it is getting fed properly. I stop every 3-4 inches or so to push the fabric back in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cobblestone

This is why I use my little awl tool to keep pushing the garment fabric back into the fold of the binding, before it goes under the needles. I keep a pretty close eye on the fabric as I'm sewing to make sure it is getting fed properly. I stop every 3-4 inches or so to push the fabric back in.

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Hmmm, I'll definitely give that a try--I've been convinced it's my binding that drifts, rather than a problem with the fabric that's feeding in. But, anything is worth a try!! (I've been so mad at myself for buying that binder and then not being able to get it to stop drifting:shakinghead[1]: )

I've just got to start using my coverstitch machine. It's been sitting since I bought it June. I've used it exactly 1 time! I'm scared of it!! Thanks for the great info!! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by limegreenvw

I've just got to start using my coverstitch machine. It's been sitting since I bought it June. I've used it exactly 1 time! I'm scared of it!! Thanks for the great info!! :)

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Oh, no, don't be scared of it! If you sew at all with knits, it will change your life. Seriously.

Thank you! This is so much clearer than Debbie's (because I need lots of pics!). I 'get' it now. Have to try some binding this weekend!

That was a wonderful tutorial~ Thank you..

Great tutorial!!! Now I just need to get a serger... lol