confused about measuring borders
#41
Can anyone explain to me why when measuring borders you can't just cut them a couple of inches longer and trim the ends after sewing them on. why do you have to measure from the middle of the quilt and cut the strip exactly as so many people seem to advise ? I figure there must be a good reason I don't know about.
#42
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,653
I am on the OCD list.
I measure left, center, and right sides of the quilt.
Take an average of the three measurements.
Cut the first borders several inches longer than the length of the center of the top
Fold the border strip in half - mark the center point - then measure to the ends to the 'exact' length of the center
Then I divide/fold the 'needed' part of the border into fourths and then eighths
I also divide the edge of the top into eigths and match up the segments and pin them at those intervals
I usually end up really close - but occasionally I'll get a bit of creeping on a long stretch - and I'd rather cut off a couple of inches on an end than be 1/4 inch short
Then I measure the the other direction which will include the attached borders.
Bottom line: I cut the border strips a bit longer, but mark them 'exactly' before attaching them.
This is for the butted - not mitered - way of doing borders.
I measure left, center, and right sides of the quilt.
Take an average of the three measurements.
Cut the first borders several inches longer than the length of the center of the top
Fold the border strip in half - mark the center point - then measure to the ends to the 'exact' length of the center
Then I divide/fold the 'needed' part of the border into fourths and then eighths
I also divide the edge of the top into eigths and match up the segments and pin them at those intervals
I usually end up really close - but occasionally I'll get a bit of creeping on a long stretch - and I'd rather cut off a couple of inches on an end than be 1/4 inch short
Then I measure the the other direction which will include the attached borders.
Bottom line: I cut the border strips a bit longer, but mark them 'exactly' before attaching them.
This is for the butted - not mitered - way of doing borders.
#43
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
You can measure your quilt before staystitching. If the edge measurements are the same as the measurement through the middle, then no edge-stretching has occurred and staystitching will prevent the quilt edge from stretching while you attach the border.
Stay-stitching will not, however, prevent you from sewing excess border to the edge. If you sew with the border on top and do not use a walking foot, the presser foot will likely stretch the border fabric slightly compared to how the feed dogs move the underneath quilt top layer, resulting in excess border fabric being sewn to the quilt top edge.
If an edge measurement is larger than the measurement through the middle, then the edge has already been stretched and staystitching will simply prevent the edge from stretching even more; it will not eliminate the existing distortion or prevent additional distortion from the presser foot/feed dog difference.
Edit: OOPS. I think I got the presser foot/feed dog difference backwards. Must need more coffee........
Stay-stitching will not, however, prevent you from sewing excess border to the edge. If you sew with the border on top and do not use a walking foot, the presser foot will likely stretch the border fabric slightly compared to how the feed dogs move the underneath quilt top layer, resulting in excess border fabric being sewn to the quilt top edge.
If an edge measurement is larger than the measurement through the middle, then the edge has already been stretched and staystitching will simply prevent the edge from stretching even more; it will not eliminate the existing distortion or prevent additional distortion from the presser foot/feed dog difference.
Edit: OOPS. I think I got the presser foot/feed dog difference backwards. Must need more coffee........
Last edited by Prism99; 07-27-2012 at 07:27 AM.
#44
Great thread information
This is a great thread with great information. No I don't LA, no I don't show.....however I do want my quilts to be the best that I can do....so I will square up my quilt and measure the borders because now I know and understand why.....
#45
I always measure, then measure again! Then I pin very carefully and stitch. If possible I also cut my borders lengthwise rather than across as there is less stretch and no piecing. I have never had a problem with borders.
#46
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,653
I had learned that if one does not have a walking foot -
that the bottom layer - against the feed dogs - will feed the fabric a bit faster than the top layer that is against the presser foot.
So that one can more easily ease in fullness if that's the layer that is against the feed dogs.
Stretch and Sew classes had a motto - "Sew with a relaxed bottom" - meaning that the top was stretched to fit the layer being eased in -
that the bottom layer - against the feed dogs - will feed the fabric a bit faster than the top layer that is against the presser foot.
So that one can more easily ease in fullness if that's the layer that is against the feed dogs.
Stretch and Sew classes had a motto - "Sew with a relaxed bottom" - meaning that the top was stretched to fit the layer being eased in -
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 5,896
I had learned that if one does not have a walking foot -
that the bottom layer - against the feed dogs - will feed the fabric a bit faster than the top layer that is against the presser foot.
So that one can more easily ease in fullness if that's the layer that is against the feed dogs.
Stretch and Sew classes had a motto - "Sew with a relaxed bottom" - meaning that the top was stretched to fit the layer being eased in -
that the bottom layer - against the feed dogs - will feed the fabric a bit faster than the top layer that is against the presser foot.
So that one can more easily ease in fullness if that's the layer that is against the feed dogs.
Stretch and Sew classes had a motto - "Sew with a relaxed bottom" - meaning that the top was stretched to fit the layer being eased in -
#49
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,369
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.
Anyone?
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,369
My LAQ told me how to put the borders on to "square up the quilt" I religiously do it that way (measuring through the middle I cut my borders in strips through the width of my material and piece them using the diagonal seam, which allows a little "ease" as I'm stitching on my borders. I cut the borders to that middle of the quilt measurement, then half and quarter mark my borders, half and quarter mark my quilt then match the half and quarter marks up, pin, pin, pin and sew from the middle out.) It literally squares up the quilt...when you fold the quilt all the corners match, the sides are even and it lays flat when laid out. Almost any LAQ would be happy to explain it or demonstrate it until you understand it.
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