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My blocks are good, I can match my corners well, I can square up my blocks, I press everything. When it gets to putting it all together it develops problems.
My borders are wavy, the center sometimes has bumps that won't lay flat.
At least I'm in good company-most of these things she sings about I can relate with.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzoL7...ure=plpp_video
What are your suggestions for improving?
For borders, it's important to measure through the middle of the quilt, cut the borders to that length, then divide and pin the border to the quilt before starting to sew. The most common reason for wavy borders is that the quilter has simply taken a length of fabric, sewed it to the quilt, then cut it to fit.
Starching fabric stabilizes it so it is much less likely to stretch out of shape or distort as you work with it. Starching before even cutting your pieces helps ensure accurate cuts. Spray starching as you assemble will help keep blocks flat and straight.
Good advice here - measure across the middle in each direction and ease the difference in.Originally Posted by Prism99
I press most seams open if they won't show through. It really helps to fuse lightweight interfacing on the back of the top before adding borders. I fuse about six inches around the quilt and then sew on the border. I like Misty Fuse.
Got fabric?
OK..this is a first...exactly what is the purpose of using interfacing? and You do realize that MistFuse is NOT an interfacing, but a fusible webbing meant to fuse TWO fabrics together right??? Are you sure you meant Mistyfuse is what you use, and not something else?
I don't use one side of the fusible. I just like Misty fuse because it's so soft and doesn't interfere with the quilting. Most of the time I fuse it on the back of the whole quilt top, it won't stretch while sewing on the borders or being manipulated under the machine. I use this method on bigger quilt tops. I got this hint one year at Paducah by ease dropping on a quilt show winner talking to another quilt show winner.. they both love Misty Fuse.
Forgot to say I use two layers of Misty Fuse if I use it for basting the quilt.
Last edited by BellaBoo; 03-01-2012 at 08:48 AM.
Got fabric?
IMHO I always measure each side and then the middle and I average them out and cut my border to that measurement. It's also best to try and cut your borders on the length of the fabric rather than crosswise. In a lot of patterns they tell you to cut your borders first. I used to have the same problem...I sewed my blocks nicely and squared everything up and it would still have those wavy borders. But this seems to have worked the best for me. Hope this helps. Using starch is another great idea. I do go thru a lot of starch.
Be kinder than necessary,everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Starch is your friend. It really helps keep the fabrics from distorting or stretching. If you've squared at every step, that is the only thing I can think of that might help you.
Are you applying your borders properly? I have a handout that explains how to do it so they will lie flat - go here and click on "How to Apply Borders" http://www.andicraftsquilting.com/learn.htm
Andi R
http://www.andicrafts.me
www.facebook.com/AndiCraftsQuiltingStudio
http://www.craftsy.com/user/1347131/pattern-store
Proud owner of "Maggie" (the Prodigy)
Well, I guess that answers my question. Thanks. I tend to just start at one end, sew to the end and then cut it off. That's probably why all my long sashing between my blocks is wavy too. So actually measure and not wing it.
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