Question about borders...
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Question about borders...
This is my first time sewing borders on a quilt. I am in the process of cutting my strips and had a question about seam allowances. Is a 1/4 inch seam allowance enough for border strips, including the outer border which gets sewn to binding?
As you can tell by my question, I am a beginner. I have started several quilt tops but have never gotten this far on a project. I wanted to make sure about my seam allowances before I waste my beautiful batik fabric. Thank you for your help!
~L
As you can tell by my question, I am a beginner. I have started several quilt tops but have never gotten this far on a project. I wanted to make sure about my seam allowances before I waste my beautiful batik fabric. Thank you for your help!
~L
#2
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,559
Short answer - yep!
I use 1/4" seams on everything in quilting. Borders, binding, everything.. The only time I change that is when I make mini quilts, and even then I still sew them at 1/4", but I do trim them to 1/8" inch.
I use 1/4" seams on everything in quilting. Borders, binding, everything.. The only time I change that is when I make mini quilts, and even then I still sew them at 1/4", but I do trim them to 1/8" inch.
#3
Yes! Are you following a pattern or creating your own? Just remember when quilting...all sides of your pieces once SEWN will lose 1/4" (and when you add binding, that will mean it's sewn). So if you are trying to figure the math on your own for your borders, just figure an additional half an inch PLUS the size you want it to be finished. Good luck!
#4
I use 1/4 inch seams for everything. Glad to know I am doing it "right." Welcome to the board, by the way. This is a great place for a beginner, which I was when I joined three years ago. I loved how I always got my questions answered...and I still love that!
Dina
Dina
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
1/4" seam is fine for borders. The only time I go to 1/2" is if I have to piece backing fabrics.
Are you aware of the need to measure through the middle of the quilt, cut borders to that length, then pin borders to edge before sewing? If you just sew a length of border onto the quilt, you have a good chance of sewing excess border fabric to the edge which results in a wavy quilt edge.
Are you aware of the need to measure through the middle of the quilt, cut borders to that length, then pin borders to edge before sewing? If you just sew a length of border onto the quilt, you have a good chance of sewing excess border fabric to the edge which results in a wavy quilt edge.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: leland nc
Posts: 443
just remember...if you are using triangles, when you are adding that 1/4" seam, you should be making sharp points on the triangles on the finished side. essentially, you need to watch the front side so that points, if any, will match as well as the 1/4" on the borders. maybe someone can explain it better than i can...
#8
Before you sew on your borders, google how to sew on borders. You will be glad you did. Don't just cut a strip and sew it on an edge, your quilt will never be square and never lay flat. There are all sorts of good tutorials on the net...if one doesn't make sense, go to another. How you sew on the borders can make or break a quilt. Just my .02 worth...and yes...1/4 is right for borders.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,559
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