Sorry but I measure top to bottom from the middle and put my side borders on first. If the quilt is a tad bigger on the sides than the length of the border you ease it in by pining first on either end than in the middle and then contine down the side. Sew it on putting the quilt on the botton and the feed dogs will help in easing it in. Then measure the side to side from the middle and cut you border . I always put the sides on first as then the top and bottom looks better as a "base" for the quilt. If you just cut the borders long and sew them on lots of times you will end up with a wavy border and thats not good. Just my opinion. Marge