quilt_happy

When I take my quilt off the quilt frame (with rollers) my side borders are stretched out. I was wondering if I am supposed to put the side borders on after I am done quilting and off the quilt frame. It has happened to the last 3 quilts of mine.

dunster

No, all the borders are usually put on before quilting. Just a couple of questions -
Did you quilt equally in the center and borders? Quilting shrinks up the quilt a bit, so if the borders aren't quilted as heavily as the center then they will flare.
Were the borders wavy before you started quilting? This is a common problem.
Are you pulling on the sides of the quilt a lot while quilting it? You might be stretching the fabric that way.
Is it possible that the fabric on the edges is on the bias? (Unlikely, but that could also cause stretched-out borders.)

That's all I can think of. Maybe someone else will have more ideas. What kind of frame are we talking about? I assume it's for machine quilting?

Silver Needle

When attaching quit to frame at the sides, I only clamp to the backing. This helps prevent stretching. How are you attaching borders on quilting machine? How do you determine the length of borders to attach to quilt?

quilt_happy

I usually use scraps for the borders. Might be cutting edge on bias. I suppose I have to cut it the right way in order not to stretch.

ghostrider

Side borders may stretch more on a frame if cut on the lengthwise grain because the pull is on the crosswise grain. If you're using scraps, some may be lengthwise cuts and some crosswise, making for waves.