mountainwoman

I'm not very good at making mitered corners, even though I've watched tons of how-to videos and even had a friend who is a seasoned quilter come over and help me. So, I can do it, quasi-acceptably by my standards, but I don't enjoy it. I've recently had two lovely quilts, perhaps the best work I've done to date, that have just been returned to me (they are gifts) from my long-arm quilter. The binding for both quilts is cut, ready to be put on --for two weeks now! Why am i procrastinating? Because I Dread struggling with mitering the corners and really don't want to call my friend to supervise me again. But, But...shouldn't I really, really make mitered corners for these because it would be, what, more professional looking?????

Now, my square end corners? Perfect. Every single time. Neat as a pin. And it doesn't stress me out. Still - Real quilters don't use square end corners, do they, at least not on nice quilts that are gifts, right?

So, tell me, dear quilters, Why are mitered corners the preferred method when attaching binding?

Thanks!

Tartan

I think it is a tradition from when quilting started. I like mitering binding corners and http://ankastreasures.wordpress.com has good tutorials on bindings. You can round your quilt corners but you may need bias binding to get around the curves.

Rhonda K

It's a process for sure to get those corners perfect!

If you can do square corners you can do mitered corners. Yes, you can. I wonder where in the process you are struggling.

How wide do you cut the binding? What stitch width are you using? Do you attach to front or back? Do you stitch off the corners at a 45 degree and then fold the binding.

No problems here with square corners if that works for you. Enjoy the process and please no stress! Good luck!

dunster

Do whatever makes you happy. But if it were me, I would want to figure out why I'm having so much trouble with mitred corners. I think you wind up with less bulk in the corners when they are mitred.

Irishrose2

My daughter does square corners and they look great. But I prefer mitered, so find some good directions, print them and take them to the machine with you. I sat with a book with pictures laying on my lap for the first four or five quilts until the process was ingrained in my mind.

IrishNY

I miter some corners and not others. I'm not sure I think either is preferable. If I was stressing out as much as you are, I'd forget about mitered corners. This is meant to be fun. It's not worth the stress.

jokir44

If you struggle with mitered binding and your square end binding is perfect every time then do the square. There is no reason to stress yourself like that when you do an excellent job with another method. Nobody is the "boss of you" in this instance. Quilting should not make you miserable.

platyhiker

To answer your question, of WHY mitered corners are preferred - I think the reason is that diagonal lines are less noticeably in long strips than horizontal or vertical lines. So, a mitered corner binding, at a bit of distance, gives the illusion of being a nearly seamless frame around the outside of your quilt. The eye picks up on horizontal and and vertical lines more easily, so one can spot the seams at a greater distance.

If I was being given a quilt as a gift, I would completely happy to receive it with square end corner binding (especially if it's neatly done). Don't be afraid to do square end corner bindings if that makes the project more enjoyable for you!

CurliQ

Are they the preferred method? Not for me.

Jane Quilter

You poor thing! I hate to see you suffer. So first of all there are no rules, do it any way you want. But if you want a perfect mitered binding do not call a friend for the tenth time, I know that is embarrassing. Call Sharon Schambers on you tube, she goes so slow with every step you can sew while you watch and not back up. She is so detailed, you won't miss a step. But most of all she is patient, forgiving, and always there for you! And my bindings always turn out perfect. Even the connecting end is simple easy and perfect. You will lover her too. This is the website:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2hWQ5-ZccE