confused about measuring borders

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07-26-2012, 01:53 PM

#21

gollytwo

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Location: Keene, New Hampshire

Posts: 4,211

because your sides are wonky if you don't.

07-26-2012, 02:41 PM

#22

RyanAmysMom

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Join Date: Jun 2012

Posts: 26

Sounds like a lot of quilt police on here! I agree that measuring the length of the middle of the quilt and adding borders that exact length is more accurate. But... I've had wavy borders that way because I had to "ease" them to fit.

I usually cut my borders about 6 inches too long, lay them RST flat on the quilt, and pin every few inches from the middle to the ends, never from top to bottom. At least that way I'm close....

Tell the quilt police to take a hike and do it your own way!

07-26-2012, 03:21 PM

#23

Neesie

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Join Date: Mar 2012

Location: Texas, USA

Posts: 5,896

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanAmysMom

The OP asked a question and people were answering it. That's what people on this board do - help and encourage each other . . . and answer questions.

07-26-2012, 04:55 PM

#24

jcrow

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Small town in Northeast Oregon close to Washington and Idaho

Posts: 2,795

I measure down the center, but always add about 6 inches and then just start at one end and sew to the other end and then cut off the excess. I have never had a wave yet. Yet means Y.our E.ligible T.oo! So, I guess I'll wait my turn. I sure hope it's not my king Civil war quilt being LArd right now. Yikes!!

07-26-2012, 05:13 PM

#25

feffertim

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Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Desert Hot Springs Ca

Posts: 2,633

Thanks to every one who answered my question. Now I know

07-26-2012, 05:23 PM

#26

cad_queen_2000

Junior Member

Join Date: Aug 2011

Location: soutwestern ontario

Posts: 143

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingle

I always measure my quilts through the center, up and down and side to side, I find this works really well and I never have to square them up. They are the same size on both sides and the ends. I put 5 pins in both quilt and border strip, when I sew I pinch both edges in between the pins, sew to that point and then sew to the pin. I do this until the border is sewn on. This may take a few extra minutes but, I figure I have so much time in making a quilt that a few more minutes won't hurt. I am my worse critic and try to please myself. I only make quilts for my own entertainment, although I have given many away. I always make sure I'm pleased with my work. Make yours however it works. Others know what they are talking about.

LOL......I do it the same way. And, I am also MY own worst critic.

07-26-2012, 06:41 PM

#27

DawnFurlong

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2011

Location: Colorado

Posts: 580

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndiR

I have a handout on applying borders on my website that you can print out for reference. It's located on the Tips & Hints page. Once you see how nice and flat your quilt is if you measure borders when applying them, you will be happy to take the few extra minutes it takes to do it.
Andi

I was taught to measure the quilt across both ends and the middle - and then to cut the strips to match the measurement (and since my quilts are not perfectly square, usually one measurement is slightly off - so I take the average). So I've always done it that way, it has worked well so far.

I have a question about your handout. For the first 2 borders it says just to measure across the middle. Why only the middle? And why not just the middle when measuring for the last 2 borders? Always hard on the knees, measuring this on the floor. Would be happy to drop 2 measurements out from the first 2 borders. :-)

07-26-2012, 08:36 PM

#28

Silver Needle

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Mechanicsville, IA

Posts: 1,497

I, too, am on the side of the fence for measuring then cutting borders. Then I find the center of the side I am working and mark it with a pin. Do the same with the border. If it is a large quilt I will also mark the quarters of the quilt and the border. Match the pins and pin the border to the quilt. More detailed instructions are also available on our website shown below. Hope you have great looking borders whichever method you choose.

07-26-2012, 09:00 PM

#29

leggz48

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Granbury Texas

Posts: 321

I didn't know about measuring the middle when I first started quilting, but at that time my quilts were hand pieced and hand quilted. However, my first exposure to a wavy border was when I added a border to a Drunkard's Path that my grandmother had pieced years before. I could never figure out WHY there was sooo much more fabric in my borders. I didn't "get" the stretch involved in bias pieces. Experience is a great teacher. Since then I measure the center and then ease on the borders. Always works better! Good luck!