Here is my dilemma. I am making queen size quilt with 6" squares set on point. I am ready to add the sashings and the inner border. Then I will add a flying geese border. How do I make an adjustment if the 2X4" flying geese border is about 1/2 - 1" too short or too long to fit on the inner border. This has happened to me before. Try as I might to sew accurately, a couple of thread widths in either direction of the blocks, sashings, or inner border can affect the width or length. I am sure someone has a sure fire answer.

I do two half square triangles sewn together for strange flying geese sizes, that way they can be any size without doing a bunch of math.

Thanks.

I have Janet Kime's book "The Border Workbook". She has lots of border patterns and instructions on how to fit a border to your quilt so the pattern comes out right.

1/2 to 1 inch too short. i'd add that amount in fabric that matches on one end.
i made a quilt and did lots of flying geese which turned out to be too long, so i added a thin inner border so they would fit.
so many ways of making do.....

There are so many options to this. You should do a search on borders 'cause there are so many things you can do.

If I cant figure the math for pieced borders to be exact, as in flying geese, I don't put them all the way around. I'll put corner blocks in or have the geese fly in two directions on each side and put a filler block in the center of each side or , or, or!!! Lots of options!
peace

Nativetexan has the good idea of adding a small sizing border to fit the geese. Also a great idea! Great example and nice quilt!

If you're only adjusting for 1/2 or 1" across a large quilt top, you can simply pin the border evenly across the edge of the quilt, about 8-12" between pins, matching any seams that you want to meet, and ease the excess as you sew.

You do this by putting the layer that has excess down next to the feed dogs, not using an even feed foot, and if necessary, by applying a little bit of tension between pins, supporting the fabric as it feeds.

If the difference is too much to ease, you could put a "floater" or adjustment border onto the main part of your quilt before putting on the flying geese border.

If the finished flying geese border that you will apply first is going to be 104" long and your quilt measures 100" square through the vertical and horizontal centerlines, then you need to add 4" to your quilt before the border will fit.

You will split that 4" difference in half and add a seam allowance on each side of the adjustment border, so (4" / 2) + 2(1/4" ) = 2" + 2/4" = 2½"

Apply the borders in opposing pairs, left and right or top and bottom, easing the quilt or floater as necessary. Square up your quilt.

Apply the 104" long flying geese borders. (Actually, they'll be 104½", as will the edge of your quilt top, right? :) )

The next borders will be as long as your quilt plus the two borders you put on plus two 1/4" seam allowances.

I hope that's easy to understand and that I haven't made it sound more difficult than it is. ;)

Such good suggestions. Thank all of you so much. I knew I would get some good ideas.

Excellent question lberna! I have often wondered this myself and all the responses have been very helpful!

This was the idea I was going to suggest. Cornerstones cure a whole bunch of problems. BTW, this is a lovely quilt. :thumbup: