pittsburgpam

That is the worse part for me, for some reason. I seem to have some mental block about putting borders on. I have two quilts ready to put the borders on and it's hard to make myself do it.

I have a 4' long metal straight edge, a builders/carpenters tool, and a very large metal square that I use. I just have a thing with worrying about cutting long strips straight.

The last border I cut I folded the 3 yards in half so it was 1 1/2 yard long, laid it on the floor, and marked the line with the two metal tools. I then slid my 24" mat under the fabric and rotary cut it using the 4' straight edge. When I got to the end of the mat I very carefully slid it further up the line to cut.

How do you do yours?

Maride

I am not sure I can picture what you describe.

I cut my borders on the width of the fabric (44 inches), folded in half and piece them together if I need them longer. I never cut anything longer than 24 inches, my longest ruler. I usually avoid directional fabrics for my borders to prevent having to cut on the long side of the fabric. That can make my borders wavy.

Maria

pocoellie

Unfortunately, can't help you there. Most of mine are without borders.

littlehud

I fold mine, very similar to the way you do it, except I put one more fold than you do. I try to make sure I have folded it exactly right. I usually do not have a problem. I do hate cutting them, too.

Moonpi

For big quilts, I rip them lengthwise.

sewnsewer2

I do it this way too. I like making the borders tho.

purplemem

I love quilts with borders, I love quilting borders, but I DESPISE cutting borders. I CANNOT cut a border without making a curvy thing if I cut more than an 18 inch length. If I fold my fabric more than one fold, here comes the dreaded curvy thing. What am I doing wrong? :evil:

Katrine

I do like Maride, cut widths, and join - with a diagonal seam.

tlrnhi

MJ...I get the same thing. I've learned to just live with it. Haven't figured out HOW to eliminate that as of yet.

Oh, and ripping? Nope, can't do it. I tried on a few scraps, but the rips came out crooked. SOOO glad it was scrap stuff!

purplemem

Whew! What a relief to know an experienced quilter does the same thing! It's ssooooooo good to know I'm not alone :shock: