Originally Posted by
mme3924
This is a really great post. And now I have a dumb question (realizing there are no dumb questions): How do you measure your quilts, as in, what do you use? On the floor with a tape measure? On the floor with acrylic rulers end to end? On the floor with a metal carpenter's ruler? It seems to me tape measures are not all that accurate and I know a metal carpenter's ruler can give a wrong reading, since it has no "give" to lay against the fabric. But I don't know of any other long rulers.
Anyone?
You are correct, tape measures can be inaccurate but if you use the same tape to measure both then it doesn't matter does it? It is still the same measurement, even if it is inaccurate. As long as the border measures the same as the center of the quilt the number you use is just that, a number. So I use an old fashioned tape measure.
For me, I find it much easier to fold my quilt in half and measure that, then double the measurement. Or I will often prepare my border and fold it in half and cut at that half measurement with the zero being on the fold. Andi's trick is also quite reliable of not using a tape measure but the quilt itself to cut your border to the correct size. (as long as you use the center of the quilt.
I usually measure the center twice to ensure I get the same measurement both times. I avoid doing it on the floor simply because I am getting old and creaky. LOL. My sewing room is a guest bedroom so I often use the bed but if the quilt is smaller I use my ironing board or cutting table. I find working with half the quilt easier then wrestling with the whole thing all spread out.