I'd take the borders off and measure the top in three places...this to be sure the quilt is not the issue. Then check the triangles used for the borders...it's impossible that all the triangles are straight of grain...a diagonal cut makes at least one side of that triangle on the bias. I also see on the last triangle of the bottom block, that it is not a true diagonal, or else your seam allowance is not a true 1/4" throughout.
It's a very pretty top, and worth fixing the borders.
When I put on borders (especially pieced borders), I measure the quilt in 6 areas... upper top from left to right, middle from left to right, bottom from left to right. Now take those three measurments and add them together, divide the total by 3...this is the side length of border needed. You will cut your side borders that length and pin to the side of the quilt at the top edge, bottom edge and in the center and ease in any fullness as to stitch the side borders onto the quilt.....repeat but from the upper left down to the bottom, middle top down to bottom, upper right down to the bottom. Also add the 3 measurements together and divide by three...this will be the width of the top and bottom border. Pin at each edge and in the middle and stitch the borders on easing in any fullness.
If you have problems with borders, you may want to pin first & ease in the fullness before you stitch the borders on.
When doing a pieced border, always press as you go. And if you have to remove stitches..spritz with water or spray starch and steam press the pieces before you resew them.
If you have to sew 10 half square triangle pieces, then sew them together, and you are 1/8" off on half of the seams...you are going to be several inches off when done...all seams need to be exactly the size of seam allowance the pattern calls for.
And I hope I'm not seeming to critical...I love your quilt, you did a nice job...which is why I really think you need to redo those borders...this will one day be an hierloom for your grandchildren. We have all (well 99% of us) had the same issues working with half square triangles...I sure have, which is why I can honestly say I've been there and done that...it's also why I have a half dozen seam rippers around my sewing area...and I've been quilting for over 40 years! My seam ripper is my most used tool.
Originally Posted by
Leota
I'm making this for my dd. I added the first solid border and everything looked great. When I started adding the 2nd border, I had to adjust the number of blocks from what the pattern called for because I reduced the size of the center down from 20 blocks to 12... not a problem... when I started on the bottom 2nd border is when I learned that the bottom is a good 3 inches WIDER than the top!!! Here are pictures so you can see my dilemma.
I did starch some of my pieces but no ALL of them...
Ideas/suggestions for fixing this?