I have made a Grandmother's Fan quilt and I would like to add a straight border to it. Is there anything I can do to make sure it come out nice and flat with no waves? Also I would like to scallop the outside edge. Any help there?

No help on the scallops but attaching a straight of grain border to a bias edge isn't too hard. I would have stay stitched the edge of the bias before attaching the border. It helps keep the edge from stretching. Than I would sew on the border with the bias edge on the bottom.

I measure the bias side and then cut my boarder. I mark centers and pin alot, then sew. That way I don't stretch the bias edge.

I agree to stay stitch that edge you are going to join to the border. Use a smaller stich 2.5 or 2.0 . Starch the edges before stay stitching.
But it could be very problematic if you use cross cut fabric rather then lenghtwise grain for your border. Lenght wise does not stretch .. but cross cut ( across the width of fabric) will ... so combining a cross cut and a bias could give a really off kilter result.... in other words you could have the whole outer perimeter stretched bigger than the rest if the quilt.

Perhaps hand basting might help here.:)

I'd also use a lot of spray starch to keep the bias edge from being accidentally stretched.

ali

This is where I get out the bottle of Elmers school glue. If I glue along the very edge of the borders instead of pinning, it helps to stabilize the edges too :D:D:D

Since seeing the glue thing I have stocked up while the back to school specials are in full swing. The Elmer's washable is now .40 per bottle at Walmart and it is like a new best friend to me in tight or difficult sewing situations.

As previously mentioned, spray starch and stay stitching would help. Here's a tutorial Eddie did for scallops. Note: the pics start on page 3.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-25080-1.htm

i would stay stitch the sides of the bias edge before putting on the border.

All of the above plus lots of patience and take your time!

I would measure the size of the block in the center (best size) Then mark along the border to make sure you get it aigned correctly. Stay stitching might stretch the edge since it is all bias. It can be done with careful measuring, lots of pinning Make sure both sides of your border is the same size as well as the ends. Check Eleanor Burns web site, she has a book using scalloped edges. You can also use the same measurement of the side block and a dinner plate to make a template/pattern for your scalloped edge. Measure twice, thrice etc before you cut. You might also onsider doing a facing for the edge rather than put on a binding.

I believe that there's been a couple tutorials on the scalloped edges, try the search button.

You attach the border the same way you do a straight one with measuring in the middle of the quilt and using that size border.
When you sew, put the bias on the bottom so your feed dogs will ease it in and not stretch it.

putting straight border was just discussed at open sew at LQS by shop owner. She said to lightly spray bias edge with water and it should shrink a little. Put on border as usual by measuring in center. Fold border and top in 1/2 and 1/4 and pin to sides. using lots of pins ease quilt top sides into border. Sew with top on bottom so feed dogs help ease in the excess bias fabric. She also said do not stay stitch since that may cause more stretch to bias. Good luck!