Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Trouble with borders >
  • Trouble with borders

  • Trouble with borders

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 08-19-2015, 09:07 AM
      #1  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Jan 2012
    Location: Texas
    Posts: 512
    Default Trouble with borders

    This isn't my first rodeo, but it is the biggest quilt I've done. I do it the Bonnie Hunter way, that didn't work this time, too short. Tried measuring in 3 places and it's too long. If I hadn't spent so much money and time on this thing I'd have a bonfire with this quilt being the star attraction. Any advice would be appreciated.
    gigi712 is offline  
    Old 08-19-2015, 09:12 AM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2013
    Location: Ballwin, MO
    Posts: 4,256
    Default

    I'm not familiar with the Bonnie Hunter way. I measure down the center of my quilt, cut the borders to that length, and ease the quilt to fit.
    joe'smom is offline  
    Old 08-19-2015, 09:17 AM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jul 2008
    Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
    Posts: 10,477
    Default

    I cut enough to be longer than the quilt top, and slice it off AFTER sewing. It works for me.
    Boston1954 is offline  
    Old 08-19-2015, 09:48 AM
      #4  
    Senior Member
     
    Cheshirecatquilter's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Cheshire, Massachusetts
    Posts: 838
    Default

    Originally Posted by Boston1954
    I cut enough to be longer than the quilt top, and slice it off AFTER sewing. It works for me.
    And I bet when it is all bunched up or spread over your sleeping body no one can tell if the two outside edges and the middle are exactly the same length.
    Cheshirecatquilter is offline  
    Old 08-19-2015, 09:49 AM
      #5  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 41,535
    Default

    I make sure my quilt top is well pressed and sometimes starched before measuring. I measure the shortest sides first(usually top and bottom) if they are the same, I cut my 2 end borders but leave an extra inch. I mark where the end should be in the seam allowance (Frixion pen)I pin to the mark and place pins at intervals along the length easing in any extra fabric from the top where needed. If the top extends over the mark a tad after sewing, I don't worry about and then trim off the extra. I follow the same process for the long sides.
    Tartan is offline  
    Old 08-19-2015, 11:24 AM
      #6  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Southern California
    Posts: 19,127
    Default

    Originally Posted by Boston1954
    I cut enough to be longer than the quilt top, and slice it off AFTER sewing. It works for me.
    This is what I do all the time. An old carpenter say is Measure twice, Cut once.
    ManiacQuilter2 is offline  
    Old 08-19-2015, 12:02 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2008
    Location: Utah
    Posts: 8,847
    Default

    Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2
    An old carpenter say is Measure twice, Cut once.
    Or measure twice, cut once. Curse! Cut again.
    quiltsRfun is offline  
    Old 08-19-2015, 01:54 PM
      #8  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Jan 2012
    Location: Texas
    Posts: 512
    Default

    Originally Posted by Boston1954
    I cut enough to be longer than the quilt top, and slice it off AFTER sewing. It works for me.
    I used to do that way 'til I started getting wavy borders. I might resort to that, I don't know. The thing is I have 4 borders to put on this blasted thing. Grrrrrrr!

    Tartan, I've printed off your instructions and will give that a go. It's just so frustrating! I told DH that once I got this one finished I'd probably give it away even though I'm making it for us, because every time I look at it, I get mad, lol.
    gigi712 is offline  
    Old 08-19-2015, 02:52 PM
      #9  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2011
    Posts: 125
    Default

    If the border piece is larger than the top, find the center and quarters of the quilt top and the border. Pin the centers and quarters together. Line up ends and pin. Then put a few pins between the ones already holding the pieces together. Now put the border against the feed dogs and sew. The feed dogs should ease as much as a half inch per half. If the quilt top is larger, put it against the feed dogs. Works everytime for me.
    quiltorelse is offline  
    Old 08-19-2015, 03:04 PM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    katier825's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Location: FL
    Posts: 7,084
    Default

    I have very good results with Bonnie Hunter's method and have not "measured" a border since. I fold my pressed quilt top in half the long way, smooth it out, lay the border pieces out on top, smooth those. I pin every so often so they don't shift. Then I cut either end even with the top. I fold the borders into quarters and either press or pin the edge. Do the same with the top. Match the quarter marks, I pin ALOT (every 6" or so) and ease the rest in as you sew. Press, repeat for the other edges.

    Some fabrics have more "give" than others. Be careful you aren't stretching as you measure.
    katier825 is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    debbiemarie
    Main
    17
    03-02-2014 07:43 AM
    karenpatrick
    QB Help Center
    11
    03-19-2012 08:04 PM
    Grama Lehr
    Pictures
    41
    04-08-2011 12:40 PM
    craftybear
    Links and Resources
    8
    02-18-2011 06:54 AM
    bebe
    Links and Resources
    0
    08-14-2008 07:51 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter