quilterj

When doing your borders do you pin or not pin?
So far I didn't seem to have a problem with my pinning and
when I was done with one side I had found a ripple effect. Have you had this happen?

Corry

I can't really help you but in addition to your question I want to add that I have not really seen much info on borders and what are common mistakes and what to watch out for. Would be nice if our experienced ladies and gents can share their knowledge on making successful borders. I have a quilt with ripply borders too. I am going to hem it and make it a table cloth but want to learn more about borders too before I go there again.

amma

I have the best luck with gluing down my borders before sewing. It helps stabilize them, plus I can make sure there are not any ripples before I sew them down.
What you see is literally what you will end up with.

Sometimes when you try to ease the top to fit the border and vice versa, you will end up with ripples. If you glue them first, you will be able to see where you might want to resew/adjust your seams here and there before sewing the final seam.

This tute works for blocks, borders and binding :wink:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-29275-1.htm

quilterj

What kind of glue do you use?

amma

I added the tute to my last post, sorry I forgot the first time :oops:

I use plain ol' Elmers washable school glue :D:D:D

quilterj

I have a washable glue stick made by Ross. It says that you
can use it on fabric too. It is like a bingo dobber. We bought it
at family dollar a few years ago. Do you think that this kind
would work and being this old?

amma

I don't care for glue sticks, rubbing and dabbing them to get the glue to stick, can stretch/distort the fabric. Also it would be harder to keep it within the seam lines too.

It may also be harder to sew through once it hardens, especially if you get a little clump here and there.

I will say that some here use glue sticks and are happy with the results. I would say to use a fresh one, it will go on easier and keep the distortion to a minimum. Keep them in a zip lock baggy and store in the fridge to keep them soft.

Whether you use bottles of glue or the sticks, a little goes a long way, and be sure and heat set them with a dry iron. :D:D:D

Char

Can you show us how you do 2 o3 borders mitered?

amma

Let me think on this.... and see what I can come up with :wink:

JudyG

I have found that most people end up with rippled borders because they don't measure the quilt before cutting the borders. That's the way I used to do it. Just cut a border and start attaching it. My LA quilter was the one who told me I needed to measure before I cut the borders and I wouldn't have that rippling and her work would be easier. Don't have any problem any more. I do pin when putting my borders on. I pin at each end, in the center and at the quarter point at least.