Thread: Help me understand

Originally Posted by ptquilts

Some people have their own way of thinking. I measure the center of the quilt, cut the two short sides to that length, then re-measure the center with the borders, cut the two long sides to that length.

This is generally how I do it, especially if a lot of bias edges are involved in the body of the quilt.

I always do mine like the quiltville tute. I never use a measuring tape because they slip and are just not as accurate as laying the fabric on the quilttop through the center, or anywhere but at the very edge. Then I pin ends first, then center, then maybe one in each section if it is the lengthwise strip I am sewing. And I always put the side strips first. I think the "older" lady just didn't put her phrase into words very well; not sure what she meant. If I have enough fabric I use the lengthwise cut of fabric so I don't have to seam, otherwise I do the 45 degree seam.

Often the instructions say to piece the border using a diagonal seam, like you would when piecing binding. There is quite a bit of waste when doing it this way rather than a ''straight across ' seam. The wider the border the more waste there would be.
If you cut from the length of the fabric so as not to have a seam you would save fabric. This is my understanding of what she might have been talking about.

Originally Posted by katier825

I hate working with really long strips of fabric. I've found some of the patterns on Moda Bakeshop giving instruction to sew all the long strips together then cutting them apart. Some might not mind, but that is definitely not for me! I generally buy enough yardage to cut the borders lengthwise. That's plenty long enough for me. There is no waste for me. I just use the leftovers on something else.

lengthwise cut borders always work best for me, I cut generous four, use one each side, then top and bottom

you can usually get two sets of borders out of a length of fabric or use the 22 to 28 x length piece for blocks

Originally Posted by ptquilts

I usually back up a few steps when I hear "You should always...." or "You should never...."

LOL, roflol very good advise !!!!! for life as for quilting

I sew my borders on first, then cut off the left over, doing the two sides first, top and bottom.

I never thought of that but she is RIGHT. I usually sew 2-3 strips together and then cut side measurement from them and have several inches left over. I sew all strips together for binding and have only 1 piece of left over fabric. I will now start sewing all border strips together before cutting! Thanks for the great tip!!!!!

Originally Posted by IdahoSandy

I sew my borders on first, then cut off the left over, doing the two sides first, top and bottom.

Beware of add8ing borders this way since the outer edge of your top may have stretched!