GingerK

Along with all the other advice offered here, Which piece did you have on top when you sewed the outer border on to the narrow second border? I have learned that I have much better luck if I keep the border piece on the top when sewing--in this case, having the wide outer border on the top when attaching to the second border.

I also measure both edges and thru the center and use an average of those 3 measurements for my border.

And finally, I know it is more cumbersome, but I would have added each separate border to the top, not sewn them together first.

trolleystation

This good sensible advice. We have all been there....done that.

heron

Thanks for all your thoughtful responses. Lots of things for me to reconsider. I took the entire border off and am starting over with it. Fingers crossed that I do better this time.

Macybaby

I think it's more of a measuring and pinning issue. To me it looks like the grey is stretched a bit where the blue is attached, and then the blue was smoothed and stretched a bit when the dark was added,

I use cross grain most of the time and lengthwise grain when I have a fabric pattern that requires it - and do not end up with problems like this. I will measure the border and mark it every 10-15" and also measure the quilt in the same increments and then line up the marks as I sew.

Onebyone

Me too! If I cut LOF for strips or borders I get waves. I got this tip from a national best in show quilter many years ago when I complimented her many pieced borders. She also said she used straight cut double binding on all her quilts unless curved. If you have been to Paducah quilt show you know the winners are usually sitting by their quilts. I wait until there is no one around them (long wait) but worth it when you can talk one on one with specific but short questions and not a crowd to ask them why and what for. LOL

Jingle

I always cut my borders WOF. Measuring the right way through the center of the quilt and borders and pinning is the key.

cashs_mom

I feel your pain. I finally got the borders on my string quilt. The first try was not successful. I took it off, re starched it and pinned generously. Finally got it on. I starched the others heavily and pinned a lot. End of the day, they look good.