Rachelcb80

I hate to admit it but I jumped into something (this time attaching a border) without researching how to best do it first. That is unlike me and I really don't know why I did it other than I guess I am anxious to finish this quilt. I did the 'ole measure one side, cut a piece, sew it on and then whack off the extra. Of course I ended up with waves in my borders. I spent quite a bit of time last night and this morning reading about the proper way to measure and attach a border. Here's my question; should I tear the borders off and redo them using better methods (I'd have to use the same material that is already there because I don't have enough to cut new borders with) or do I chalk this up to lesson learned and hope the waves "quilt out" some? The center and larger outside border will have stipple quilting done, the smaller inside border will just have 2 straight lines stiched 1/4" in from each seam.

There is a part of me that thinks with as much time as I've put into this quilt so far, I should go the little extra mile to take it apart and do it all right, but then there's that other part of me that wants to cry at the idea of being set back a few more days. That part of me has a little voice saying, "It'll be okay, once you get it all quilted the waviness will not show." I'm just not sure if that voice is lying. :)

BeachBirdie

Personally...I would redo the borders. They may not completely lay flat when quilted. It's a beautiful quilt...I would redo them because my eyes would always go straight to the wavy borders.

katsewnsew

I would redo them because you have a beautiful quilt top and I would think it would be worth it. I am working on an Amish quilt that is really getting a lot of "seam ripper" usage, but I will not give up. I know it will look good when done -

LindaR

I would too...a quilt teacher told me NEVER measure the sides, measure thru the middle both ways and then deduct 1/2 inch and they will never wave at ya :thumbup: putting a little pressure on when sewing helps, pin both ends and then the exact middle...turn out perfect every time.

dkabasketlady

I would redo the borders for such a beautiful quilt and prairie points. I wouldn't be happy if I didn't. That's my personal opinion.

Jingle

I measure through the center side to side with the border strip laid on top and smooth it as I go. sew on both top and bottom, Press and measure the same way through the center, top to bottom, including the previous borders, smooth out border fabs as before. This always work for me.

Rachelcb80

I guess I pretty much knew what everyone's answer would be. :) So here's another question, do I just redo the 5" border (which won't be hard, just a little time with the seam ripper), or do I tear off both borders, which means taking off the prairie points too? (I really want to cry thinking about doing all that)

LindaR, you mentioned measuring the middle then deducting 1/2". I hadn't read about deducting the 1/2", I had read to just measure the middle. Then find your 1/2 way and 1/4 way points, pin and ease in whatever fullness between. I'm wondering now which way to use?

LindaR

I have always deducted the 1/2" since I was told that. I have never had a problem with them being too short. The woman who taught me that had a quilt shop and made beautiful quilts that always hung so nice on the wall. I made a quilt out of some blocks that my mother made me wayyyyy back when for a baby blanket and never finished...didn't know about the measuring thing and the borders are wavy. I just racked it up to a "beginner" thing and never fixed it. it is noticeable tho...your quilt is so pretty.

grammy Dwynn

IMHO I would go all the way back to the narrow boarder (before the prairie points), because it looks a little more wavy than the outer boarder. I know that is a lot of work, but in the long run you will be MUCH happier.

I also had not heard of deducting a 1/2" off my the middle measurement. But, when you think about it.... hmmm couldn't hurt. Here is what my simple brain figured. When sewing, the quilt top is on the bottom, the boarder on top. Okay.!! The sewing machine will take up the difference, because the feed dogs will move more fabric, the boarder is just along for the ride.

The other reason I can see this working is that my first quilt instructor said that if you have two blocks that are not quite the same size (but should be) put the larger block on the bottom.

good luck unsewing

mytwopals

Before you go to all the trouble of taking off the borders, have you tried to just steam iron them flat? Those borders really don't appear all that wavy to me. Some steam and maybe some added starch may be all that's needed to tame them. I would try that first, if you already haven't.