Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • How to prevent wavy borders? >
  • How to prevent wavy borders?

  • How to prevent wavy borders?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 03-01-2014, 02:35 PM
      #1  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Location: Tn
    Posts: 350
    Default How to prevent wavy borders?

    I know it is best to cut borders on lengthwise of grain but sometimes I can't for various reasons. So what is the best way to stabilize borders ?
    molly oldham is offline  
    Old 03-01-2014, 02:55 PM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: Cincinnati, OH
    Posts: 4,016
    Default

    When you cut your border, measure 3 times across your quilt, then average it. This is the length you cut your border. Start pinning in the middle and pin to both ends. Also, when you sew the border to the quilt top, put the border on top. Hope this makes sense.
    Raggiemom is offline  
    Old 03-01-2014, 02:56 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    dakotamaid's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: South central Nebraska, US
    Posts: 5,367
    Default

    I always sew on my borders with the quilt top on the bottom, the border piece on top. Even with a walking foot this helps "ease" in the quilt top and keeps the border flat. Clear as mud? Be sure and measure 3 times, once thru the middle and both sides and then take the average. Some people just take the middle measurement but I like to average. Do the same procedure for the top and bottom borders.

    Raggiemom, we were typing at the same time!
    dakotamaid is offline  
    Old 03-01-2014, 03:02 PM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    117becca's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Location: dayton OH
    Posts: 1,911
    Default

    I tend to cut my borders on the crosswise grain- but that is what works for me. When I attach them to the quilt, I take the measurement down the middle of the quilt and use that, not just the measurement down the side.
    .
    117becca is offline  
    Old 03-01-2014, 04:03 PM
      #5  
    Power Poster
     
    dunster's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
    Posts: 15,239
    Default

    Borders are wavy because there's more fabric in them than in the rest of the quilt. So measuring, as the others have responded, is the key. You can also keep the border fabric more stable by starching it and handling it carefully.
    dunster is offline  
    Old 03-01-2014, 04:09 PM
      #6  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Iowa
    Posts: 314
    Default

    Here's a great online tutorial for adding borders: http://frommycarolinahome.wordpress....nding-the-why/
    EIQuilter is offline  
    Old 03-01-2014, 04:14 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    faykilgore's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2011
    Location: San Antonio, TX
    Posts: 1,594
    Default

    Also pin the border to the quilt top. I have a friend who doesn't think measuring and pinning is necessary, then she wonders why her border is wavy and her quilt not square. I will admit, I cut my border a tad longer than I've measured, pinning where the edge should be but that gives me a little fudge room when it just doesn't work out that way.
    faykilgore is offline  
    Old 03-01-2014, 04:43 PM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2008
    Location: Utah
    Posts: 8,847
    Default

    I measure carefully through the center of the quilt. I usually check as I'm putting the top together to make sure both sides are even. Cutting is either lengthwise or crosswise depending on the fabric. I mark the middle and quarter points of both the top and the border. Then I pin pin pin matching the middle and quarter points. I usually sew with the border on the bottom so I can make sure my block seams aren't twisted. Putting on borders is my least favorite part of quilting but mine always lie flat.
    quiltsRfun is offline  
    Old 03-01-2014, 05:10 PM
      #9  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Southern California
    Posts: 19,127
    Default

    Originally Posted by dunster
    Borders are wavy because there's more fabric in them than in the rest of the quilt. So measuring, as the others have responded, is the key. You can also keep the border fabric more stable by starching it and handling it carefully.
    Dunster is absolutely correct AGAIN !! Good going girl !! If your quilt isn't square, then the borders may be wavy no matter how you cut your border. What was mentioned above does work ONLY if you are off a bit. I have had customers that their quilts were off MORE than an inch in different locations on their quilts. Also I have noticed that photos of even table runners don't lay flat because they are so heavily quilted. Let the beauty of your piecing outshine any quilting that you do. Quilting should compliment the quilt top, not compete. Just my opinion.
    ManiacQuilter2 is offline  
    Old 03-01-2014, 05:51 PM
      #10  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Org. Texas now Florida
    Posts: 847
    Default

    Try not to pull on it when attaching it.
    ThreadHead is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Ruby the Quilter
    Main
    3
    05-11-2011 04:39 AM
    Fabricnut
    Main
    6
    01-13-2011 04:14 AM
    Corry
    Pictures
    88
    12-20-2010 06:51 PM
    margaret light
    Main
    13
    12-07-2009 02:04 PM
    QuilterKim
    Main
    7
    08-18-2009 10:11 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter