I'm beginning to put binding on a quilt top that has curved piecing in it. The corners are stretched from being on the bias. Also, the corner blocks have points all the way to the edge of the blocks. Any suggestions on what I can do to 'square up' my quilt? Thank you.

Ty

This can be a serious problem when working with bias edges. In the future, it is not a good idea to cut scallop edges until a top is quilted. But back to your problem. first of all I would steam the areas that are stretched. This may help to put them back in shape, or at least improve the situation. Your binding should also be cut from bias. When applying bias binding to points, always miter the point, do not stretch the bias to fit.

Unfortunately, not all problems can be fixed after a quilt is quilted. Consider this a learning experience for next time. Try the tips I mentioned and enjoy the quilt. Finished is better than perfect! Each day of life is a learning process, and quilting is the same. Enjoy the process and congratualtions on finishing what sounds like a difficult quilt.

Let us know how this works out for you or if we can offer any more advice.

Hi:
I just saw something on QNN that might be of help to you. The teacher had a quilt with a scalloped edge and what she did was cut a strip of fabric about 4 to 6 inches wide and put right sides together with edge of her scalloped quilt. She then sewed the scalloped edge 1/4 inch seam allowance all the way around then very carefully folded and pressed the strip back over the edge and sewed it down on the back side folding the raw edge under and sewed it down by hand or you could hand whip stitch it then when you quilt that part of your quilt, catch the edge of the strip that has been folded over. This application will stabilize the edge of your quilt and will give a nice finished look to the quilt without alot of time and work. You might want to check out QNN (QuiltersNewsNetwork) to see if they run that particular application again sometime. Sorry, I don't remember the teachers name or what they called that segment. Good luck!

Feathers

Ty,
I would lay the corners flat, spritz with water. This will allow the fabric to shrink slightly. Encourage the stretched area back into the correct shape.

If this doesn't work to your satisfaction. Shorten the stitch on your machine and stay-stitch within your binding allowance. This should also causing shrinking.

OR you could use a longer stitch and then draw it up like you would when gathering an edge. Then distribute the fullness within the gathers.

Recreate your problem with like fabric and shape, and test, test and test several of the suggestions and see which one will work best before working on your "real" top. Good luck. AND, please let us know which worked for you so we can all put same in our memory bank. Suzanne