Border-phobia
 

I am an inexperienced quilter. I joined a local guild not only to learn more but to also meet people. I became friends with a member that has been quilting for 20+ years. She offered to teach me more about quilting. I told her I would be more than happy to pay her for her time, but she refused. She said she enjoyed helping newbies out. I have learned a lot from her. Right now I have 6 quilt tops in various stages of progress. My big problem with 5 of the tops is it's time to add the borders. I love how double borders look and feel that would add so much to the look of the tops I have done. I am a perfectionist. Even though someone else might never find the boo boo I made, I can basically find it in the dark. So I also want the borders as pleasing to my eye as possible. When I got to the point of adding borders, my friend told me that if not done as close to perfect as possible, the entire quilt will basically be a moot point. So now I have developed a phobia of adding borders!! Does this sound crazy? Of course it does!!! I read this board and any magazine or book I can get my hands on and understand the way to construct them but I'm so worried that I will add the borders and ruin all the time, money and hard work I have put into the tops. Yes I know I can unsew them but I will literally sew, unsew, sew, unsew. I have seen some people on this board talk about putting the two borders together prior to adding them to the quilt. I mentioned it to my friend and she sort of went a bit crazy about how you must never do that, I will be asking for trouble. She can tend to be a quilt nazi lol.

Sorry for babbling. I'll get to the point. What's the general opinion of sewing two borders together prior to adding them to the quilt top. What are the pros and cons? And how do I get over my phobia of feeling I'm going to ruin my top if I make a mistake putting the borders on. I know part of learning is just doing it, but I really need some tips to get me to the point of even being brave enough to cut the borders. I am not doing mitered borders because my friend told me I wasn't ready to tackle that and there's a higher chance of making mistakes.

Sorry this is so long. Thank you for reading it all the way through!!

I'm not best placed to give any advice about how to add borders, I'm afraid your friend wouldn't approve of my, grab the fabric and go for it method, but I would say to you that I think your mentor is perhaps now hindering rather than helping. If you've made the tops then you're ready to add the borders. So what if you make some errors in the process, its only a big deal if you allow it to be one. You're in charge, not your mentor and tbh unless you bite the bullet and get on with it, you'll be stuck thinking you can't do something when my guess is you can do it perfectly well. Measure twice, cut once, is a good place to start. Watch the videos, and you will fine. And out of sheer damned cussedness on my part I'd make those borders with mitred corners :thumbup:

My mentor does have hard core thoughts/opinions. Don't use poly batting. Don't let the longarmer use poly thread. That I need to upgrade my sewing machine which is only a year old and I am very comfortable with.

Sheilz- thinking about you said, I feel you are right. She is probably hindering more than helping. I really appreciate you being honest with your opinion of my mentor. Sometimes I just needed someone to confirm what I've been thinking I guess.

Wow, she really got into your head with her "rules"! Relax, it's not as scary as you think.

My bits of border advice:
* Audition different fabrics with your quilt centers. Unless my border fabric is also my focus fabric, I often wait till the center is done before I select any border fabrics because I tend to change my mind. If I do happen to select border fabrics prior to construction, I don't cut them until I'm ready to add borders, in case I change my mind at that point as well. :)

* If you are mitering the corners, sewing multiple borders together before sewing to the center will work, otherwise, add them one at a time.

* Vary the color/scale of each border to add interest

* Think of borders like you would art and how adding one or more mats along with the frame can really enhance the "art".

* Ditch the measuring tape/ruler when cutting the border length. I Follow Bonnie Hunter's method for perfect borders without measuring. It's difficult if you don't have a long enough table and fabric/measuring tapes can stretch or give just enough to make the cut inaccurate. If my top is longer than my table, I fold the top and pin the strips along the center fold, then fold the extra up as I go along when I am preparing to cut the borders to length.

http://www.quiltville.com/borderhints.shtml

* Pin! I start pinning the ends, middle, 1/4 way points, then pin every 6" or so.

* The only "rule" I follow is to NOT sew, then trim the borders after sewing, because that can result in a wavy border.

Your mentor sounds like the woman who taught me how to sew garments.

There came a moment when I had to say to her (and myself) "I got into this for fun, and trying this approach looks like fun to me. I have to start creating my own rules to sew by." That took a lot of the pressure off of both of us. I had to venture out and make my own mistakes, and in some cases, learn that only my eye saw the mistakes.

Just keep reading about borders and how to measure for them . Yes, you measure from the centers of the quilt top and not the edges. This reduces and eliminates the "wavy border" . Relax and have fun. Trial and error...we all learn. Peruse the picture section to view how others interpreted their borders. There is a trend to NOT add a final border esp on pieced tops vs ones using panels. It is your creativity that is where the fun begins. She taught you the basics. Now you tke over on the creativity and personal preference.

sandy

If you are not mitering your borders there is no need to sew them together in advance. If you are mitering, I couldn't imagine doing it any other way!

I completely agree with Katier825's comment to think of your borders as you would mats on a print you are framing.

There are a couple of theories regarding measuring. 1) measure through the center only and use that measurement; 2) measure center as well as both sides and use the average of the 3. I tend to only measure through the center. I use a plastic measuring tape and move it along as needed being careful to mark where I am picking up my next point to begin with the tape.

If a particularly long border and I have the length of fabric, I will frequently tear it vs cutting it. I tear about 1/2 wider than I need and press to get all the waviness out then trim down to the width I need. And then I, too, pin beginning in the center, move to the ends and then, depending on how much 'ease' (extra fabric) I might have to worry about, will determine how frequently I pin within those mid-points. Then just sew! If there is a reasonable amount of 'ease' you are dealing with, put the baggy fabric on the bottom next to your feed dogs. This will help to get the extra fabric evenly distributed over the length of your border vs having 'pleats' along the way.

General rule of thumb is to add your side borders before adding top/bottom borders. This is simply because it's a more efficient use of fabric. There is nothing etched in stone.

If using multiple borders, personally, I tend to use a thinner (1.5 - 3") solid color (or a fabric that 'reads' solid) and then a wider outer border. I think the the plain inner border makes a nice visual break between the quilt top and the outer border. These are my personal preferences and certainly not any 'rules'.

We are all supposed to be doing this for fun. Relax and simply enjoy the process. I, too, prefer cotton batting to poly. That is my preference. As to poly vs cotton thread...relax! I use poly thread when piecing. I use whatever thread I have on hand that is close enough in to color to what I need. My machine is not picky. I happen to use cotton thread when quilting but that is because I am a hand quilter and that is what is available for 'hand quilting' thread.

And why would you possibly need to upgrade your year old machine? Is it not performing well? Have you already outgrown it? If you are comfortable with it and it performs well, where is the problem?

If you are having questions about fabric choices for your borders, post photos here. We'll all help!

Thanks everyone!! She says that I need to upgrade my machine because it's a brother. I have never seen in my life and wanted to learn to make a quilt. IMO it was stupid for me to spend $1000+ on a machine that I didn't even know if it was something I would enjoy doing doing. I really like my machine. It's easy to operate has a few extra bells and whistles. She has higher end machines but what I have suits me just fine. I'm not going out and buying something else. I have just come to the conclusion she's a very controlling person.

I appreciate everyone making me feel more at ease. In theory, I know how I'm suppose to do borders but I guess she really has me questioning my abilities. I have been in my sewing room getting the fabric I have purchased for borders for my tops with the tops to dive in and work on it. Hopefully after getting through the first one, I can be more confident.

All of the above advice is spot on! The only other suggestion I can think of is perhaps make some smaller items like place mats or a table or bed runner and put a couple of borders on each of them for practice before you tackle your quilts to build your confidence up. Then you will need to practice the art of binding too!! ��

You have gotten some great advice here. I wanted to chime in with my two cents worth.

I have 2 Brother machines. A higher end, combo sewing/embroidery machine which usually sews like a dream. It weighs about 35 pounds, so I don't really like lugging it to classes and sew-ins, so I have my little Brother, purchased from WM for about $150 that only weighs about 17 pounds. It goes to all classes with me. It doesn't sew quite as good as the Big Brother but I have not had anyone make fun of my baby Brother. Sewing machines are like cars....we all have different preferences. I wouldn't upgrade until you feel the need for something different or yours goes to the great sewing machine heaven.

Now, on to the borders. A wise quilter once told me one time that a quilt that is finished is worth much more than a quilt half done. I square up all the parts/blocks or rows as I go. When I get to adding the borders, all I have to do is make sure the borders are cut and sewn fairly straight. I have the problem of getting to the borders and not knowing what to do. I finally figured out that laying the quilt out with my choices of borders tucked under the outside edge in the widths I am thinking of and taking a picture with my camera gives me the best perspective on what the finished product will look like. And, yes, It does take me several pictures sometimes. Once I make up my mind, I go with it. Remember....that finished quilt is much better and more satisfying than sitting there agonizing over what to do.

On some of my earlier quilts, I did the borders too narrow. I look at them now and think "I wish that last border was bigger." Am I going to do anything about it? No. It's finished. Learn from the experience and move on. Thanks to my wise friends advice, I am now able to finish quilts and I really need to. I have ended up with almost 40 UFO's to finish in 2015. The good news is I have completed 4 already this year. Three were bindings only. One had borders to be added and had to be quilted. The feeling of getting them completed has spurred me on. I'm off to do another binding today for one I quilted several days ago.

Bottom line....as Larry the Cable Guy says.....Just Git 'er Done!

Edited to add: This board loves giving advice on borders. Start a new thread and show us what you are thinking about for the borders. We might can help with your process. My MIL never did quilts but did a lot of clothing sewing....he famous motto was "As you sew, so shall you rip." My ripper is my best friend and helps me get those little areas where my seam went astray back into the straight category. And if that quilt is 1/2" longer on one side than the other, no one really cares. After washing, sometimes, it adjusts itself and sometimes not...but it's okay. I enjoy every quilt I make and so do the people I give them to.

There are times when I feel a border (or multiple borders) will enhance the quilt. There are times I want it larger and a border (or two) seems the best way to do it. And there are times when simply doing the binding next feels like the way to go.

I would definitely sew them together if you are going to miter the corners. That is ever so much easier and more accurate.

As far as upgrading your machine, unless there is a particular feature(s) you seriously want, stick with what you have and enjoy using it till it gives up on you! I personally prefer the vintage straight stitch only machines that have proven themselves for many years, are easy to maintain and purr like a kitten when in use. I may at some point get an embroidery machine and if I do will probably get as many bells and whi stiles as I can, but usually I manage to talk myself out of spending that much.

My advice to you is go with what YOU want to do on YOUR quilt and have FUN doing it!

The best lessons learned are from our mistakes. And we all make them!! The ladies above have given you some knowledgeable advice, just jump in and go for it!

Great guidance here! I would add just GO for it as you have done the research! Good luck.

First of all I think I would tell the helper that I have learned enough for a while and going to do the rest on my own. It gets old pretty fast when the teacher thinks you can do any thing right. Go on with your project and enjoy not have someone hanging over your shoulder point out the mistakes. Get the attitude that, "this is the way I do it".

As far as upgrading your machine, if you're happy with the one you have that's all that matters. There are plenty of quilters who make gorgeous quilts on the vintage machines they've found at yard sales or thrift stores for $50 or less. It's not the price of the machine or the bells and whistles that matter. Learn how to use the machine you have and have fun doing it. Too many rules will spoil the experience.

Wow, I am so sorry your mentor is one of the dreaded quilt police. Actually she is worse, she is the next level up in being a quilt Nazi as you said. My best advice to you is throw out every lesson she has taught you that contain the words "never" "always" or "ruined".
As a LAQ I have seen borders with more waves in them than Waikiki beach and guess what, I have managed to quilt them out or put in a carefully camouflaged pleat and the quilt turned out beautifully. One was so bad, I simply removed the border, re-measured it and the quilt, cut it down, reattached it, and guess what the quilt wasn't ruined!
I guess like any teacher, you have to use a filter with the lessons. Use what will help you, consider other things and throw out the inflexible rules of "never, always, and ruin". Already this woman has done damage to your quilting karma by giving you border phobia.
Having done quite a bit long arming and prior to that hand quilting I can confidently tell you there is nothing wrong with poly thread and poly batting. I’ve used plenty of both. In fact you are placing limits and constraints on your quilting by excluding ANYTHING, be it thread, batting or even fabric. There are some absolutely gorgeous poly threads on the market. In fact there are some major award winning LAQ out there that refuse to use cotton thread and will only use poly or silk. Look up quilts by Margaret Solomon Gunn, she is one that avoids cotton thread due to linting issues messing with her tension. I bet this woman is one of those old schoolers who believes and perpetuates the myth that poly thread will cut through cotton fibers. Not true. This has been debunked by Superior threads. They market both kinds of thread so have no reason to push one fiber over another.
As far as your borders are concerned… There is absolutely nothing wrong with sewing two borders together and attaching them to your quilt. In fact true masters do this on a regular basis. You just have to miter the corners (which I have seen judges seem to favor that in shows) and measure and pin. Same with a pre-printed border fabric. So please, lose the phobia because you aren’t going to ruin all your hard work with a mistake in the border. Let go of the perfectionism and spread your wings and fly. I think you will be much happier. No human is perfect only God is perfect.

I am right now trying to help a newbie and it is difficult sometimes to back off. From this board, I have learned that there is more than one way to make a quilt. First of all, stick with the machine if it works for you. I started quilting on a Singer but then upgrade to a Bernina in the early 90s and I am STILL using THAT machine. I don't need all the bells and whistles that others may need.

I am a perfectionist just like you. I normally take my time deciding what fabrics to use in my borders. It is like framing a picture. I audition them up on a design wall and until I am delighted with the selection, I keep changing the fabric. The most important rule of thumb is to measure. Always measure twice and then cut once. That is a very old carpenter's saying. There are some who say average everything and if that works for you, that is great. I measure the exact length of a side and that is the amount of fabric I carefully pin from the edge and then the center. It should match up perfectly if you measured correctly. You just want to add the same length to each side of the quilt. Remember you are in the process of learning. The Amish have a tendency to make a mistake in their quilts they make since they believe that God is the only one who can make things perfect. So don't worry or fret about the mistakes you are bound to make. We have ALL made mistakes on a quilt or two or maybe more. Remember this is a hobby and should be FUN!!

Being disable now, I find that eliminating the border works better for me. Many busy patterns really don't need a border unless you need it for size. Good Luck and hope that you are able to post some photos soon.

In my working life, I am a trainer...and I'm going to suggest that any good teacher would make you feel free to spread your wings and fly, rather than hold you back. In fact, they would kick you out of the nest if they saw you were afraid to fly. There are a million ways to create a quilt, and in my opinion, the only "rule" we should all remember is "DIFFERENT ISN'T WRONG."

This lady who is mentoring you is so caught up with her own "correct" ideas, she's missing out on some great, innovative techniques, and I suspect she's not enjoying her hobby as much as she could if she'd loosen up her corset and breathe. I'd love to meet her, because I'd tell her that she herself has an awful lot to learn about quilting.

*Off soapbox* :D

Now, you finish this quilt however you like, and if you make a mistake, guess what? You either fix it, or you move on. But you're not going to let this person paralyze you. You're going to flap those wings and SOAR, little birdie! When you're done, please post pics of your finished quilt for us to admire.

To quote my LQS owner ~ "quilters choice". Your choice of machine, your choices of boarders. Your choice of what makes YOU comfortable. "

We all have 'suggestions' here, it might be what we 'like' or are 'comfortable' with or even what we were taught (right or wrong). So we may suggest what works for US, but that does not mean 'it's a rule'. You decide what you like/want, aka "QUILTERS CHOICE".

Good luck on finishing your quilts. Remember to share with us so we can ohh and ahh. :)

Wow, time to venture out a bit on your own!
First off the machine.... My favorite machine I use on projects I really want precise and perfect is a 1956 singer, your ( mentor) would probably have a heart attack!
You can keep the machine you are comfortable with for the rest of your life if you want to.... There is no reason to consider upgrading/ spending money on a new one if the one you have works for you! My daughter has been creating quilts, clothes, costumes, crafts on a little $89 wally world Brother for almost 20 years, she loves that machine ( and hates my $5000 viking)
There is No Reason to believe you are not ready for Mitered borders! I've seen many new quilters successfully attach Mitered Borders to their very first quilt, you just need to watch a couple tutorials/ videos, once you understand the process miters are Not Difficult! If that is the look that would enhance your quilt go for it, some quilts ( need) mitered borders.
Generally if mitering you sew your multiples together first, if making straight borders you add them one at a time.
It's time for you to jump in and finish one of your quilts (I would actually do one with mitered borders) then when its done, Show it off! To your ( quilty sheriff) prove her wrong!
Many, many longarm quilters use polyester thread! Cotton tends to break A Lot! With the high speed machines! Its pretty common practice, even the most spectacular big famous show winning quilts have been quilted with polyester thread!!!
There are so many fabulous battings available now, it is just ( sad) to limit yourself to only one and never try anything else. I purchase Dream Poly by the bolt because that is the one most of my customers request most often. I do have cottons, wools and other blends but 9 out of 10 request the poly ( unless you told her your.... Friend....would have no idea what batting you used)
Read packages, read info on line, choose a different batting for every project for a while & see what YOU like!
When someone starts taking the fun out of what you are doing its time to step back. :( sometimes folks with good intentions can become horrendously stiffling.

I keep reminding myself - Finished is better than Perfect (but not finished)!

Hey!

I just wanted to throw in some support because I just finished my first quilt ever and was super happy with it. I have no sewing experience, except for the quilt I just made (bought a sewing machine off of craigslist for $75). I followed this tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMWQABZwis8 to create mitered corners, and they came out really well, seriously. I was going to use this tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1CuzT9nMCw before I decided I really wanted mitered corners.

This last month I have learned a lot about quilting, but the biggest lesson is to just jump in. Do it. Find an online tutorial you like that makes sense to you and then Take it 1 step at a time.

You can do it!

One of the first quilts I ever made before I knew it was "too hard for a beginner" had mitered borders. And they were even cut on the bias because I didn't like them on the straight of grain. I actually cut and sewed the borders, took them off and cut into bias pieces, and sewed the pieces together very carefully matching the design. Then I reattached the bias border. Guess what? It turned out great and is still one of my favorite quilts. I also did a pieced back and managed to center it right in the middle so my hand quilting would line up. Don't let so-called rules discourage you or keep you from reaching out in your quilting.

[And I see I have the sideways picture thing going for me.]

Ha! As another "teacher", I have just the opposite problem. I say - it's fine, let it go - but my "student" keeps trying to get it perfect and ends up frustrated and annoyed over the whole thing:)

Stop it!!
Fire that "mentor" aka obsessive, manipulative, quilt police!! No wonder she offered so enthusiastically to "teach" you without pay...an opportunity for her own agenda easily instilled without questions.
My word, how DO we let these people loose on the unsuspecting quilting newbies?!! They should be required to wear signs around their necks.:hunf:

(Okay, rant over. )
It is fine to add multiple borders one at a time.
It is fine to add multiple borders all at one time after sewing them into a strip set.
It is fine to MITER a strip set of multiple borders. In fact it is a slightly more advanced skill that produces a "graduate school effect" as my old mentor used to say. BUT it is not required, for Pete's sake.

Mitering takes a bit of practice as angles are necessary, butting seams are useful, sewing to a specific point (often marked with a pencil dot) is wise. But it can be learned and you will be delighted with yourself when you've done it!

Jan in VA

I just HAD to add....
When you've done this quilt, no matter whether YOU think it's perfect (because it will be just wonderful!), show it at the guild's Show and Tell and don't even mention this police person's name so as not to give her any justification for taking credit.

Jan in VA

If you are not doing mitered borders, I would not sew the two fabrics together to add as a single border because straight cuts won't line up. If you want to do the easiest border, do a straight cut. As long as you measure across the center (or across 3 places and average) and use that measurement exactly along the edges, there should not be any problem. I think your friend was probably talking about wavy edges. She didn't mean to scare you.

As for the quilt itself and the level of perfection you talk about: Right now you are working a foot away from each little piece. You see every mismatch. Once the top is complete, sandwiched and quilted, the quilt will take on a whole new dimension. Odds are, what seems like a gaping error, won't even be noticeable. I have left some mismatched corners/points and when the quilt was done I couldn't even find them. Trust yourself. Besides, as a beginner you should be proud of every step you learn. Don't be so hard on yourself. You are taking the joy out of the process.

Keep your Brother until you feel you want/need something more. Don't let anyone pressure you into going whole-hog on a sewing machine.

Your mentor is a sweet dear old soul. Thank her and move on.

1.) I use a 40 YO Bernina. Goodness sakes, you are sewing in a straight line! a 1/4 seam! There are people on this board who use treadle powered sewing machines. My local quilt dealer rolls his eyes anytime I come in. He knows I could afford a new machine. I know I could afford a new machine. But why? Your Brother sounds just fine.
2.) I feel bad for all the people whoever get one of my quilts. I break every rule. I measure along the side, cut enough fabric and join it together with a couple of inches left over, I attach the border, then trim it on a long table with a 24 inch ruler running down the existing end cutting it as if it were another addon piece of top. Which it is. So what have I done wrong here? Used fabric that was not cut parallel to the selvage. Pieced it, usually with straight edges instead of 45 degree angles, didn't measure the center of the quilt (the border ain't on the center, now is it?). Didn't miter my ends.
When I am finished all four borders, I might put four more on, the same way. In the end, I measure the quilt (to make binding). OH no! this edge is 3/4 of an inch longer than it's opposite! Too bad. I have yet to find a single person who gave back my quilt because it wasn't square.
Now, here is the only rule of thumb I follow. If you can't see the error at 55MPH as you drive by with the quilt hanging on a clothesline, the error doesn't exist. Because NO ONE else will see it. Remember, this is cloth. It is a breathing beautiful extension of your own creativity, bound only by the love you give it as you make this artwork that will be cherished and loved. tim in san jose

I think as a beginner you might consider adopting a more lenient attitude or it will take too long to finish projects. The more you quilt the better you get! Perhaps choose one of the projects, leave it until last and try to make it as perfect as you can and consider the others learning projects. Of course take this with a grain of salt as my quilting motto is: "It'll never be noticed on a galloping horse and that's the only kind I ride" Whatever you decide, the most important thing that you are getting enjoyment out of the quilting.

Two alternatives to your mentor are Craftsy classes. I haven't taken it but there is an online Craftsy class on Borders: http://www.craftsy.com/class/finishi...eho-dum&_ctp=1 $20 right now. You might look at the reviews (or better yet ask on this board) and see if its for you. If you decide to stop going to your mentor and you get to the binding stage their is a great class on Finishing School: edges and binding; http://www.craftsy.com I've taken that one and it's quite good.


I used a brother for years. If it's working for you why switch? Once you feel constrained by the machine and if money allows you can consider switching. Then you'll know what features you really need.

When i attach non- mitered borders - I do cut the borders about two inches longer than the actual measurement. I do mark the border the proper length - and expect to cut off the exrea. I would rather waste a couple of inches of fabric than end up half an inch short.

About the sewing machine - how about comparing the straight stitches made by your machine agsinst the stitches made by her machine. They probably look almost identical!

Since others have already said what I wanted to say - and probably better - I wasn't going to post a reply. But I worked my way all the down to General Chit-Chat and this thread was still poking at me.

I've called myself a slap-dash quilter, so I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum from you. Ask yourself if you are quilting to please your critics, or to please yourself and those you may give your quilts to. (Of course we all know that critics are those little insects that rub their legs together to make irritating sounds.)

Thank the woman who has helped you, and continue to listen to her advise, but make up your own mind what is important to you.

By the way, we all can find our quilts' imperfections in the dark, but who among us has ever made a perfect quilt?

Welcome to quilting and this board.

Tate

Nothing wrong with that; I am too. :) You will make beautiful quilts and impress everyone with your skills!

You know what I think? I think she's not ready to help you with mitered borders and doesn't want to admit it.

Atta girl. I own 7 machines of varying brands and ages, and by far my favorite is my Brother. "Because it's a Brother" is the dumbest reason I've ever heard for getting a new machine. If you drive a 15 year old pickup, would she make you upgrade to a brand new Mercedes? Who cares what you drive, as long as you can get to the local quilt shop? :D

This is NOT what a teacher or mentor should be fostering in a pupil. Time to move on.

WHAT JAN SAID.

Me too!!

Such great advise from so many fellow quilters! Follow your heart and your gut instincts! The first class I took had a teacher that told me pretty much the same things....My plain jane machine wasn't good enough, blah, blah, blah!!! If you don't jump in, you'll never get your feet wet! What is the worst that can happen? You'll do just fine.. We are all our own worst critics! There is no perfection in this quilting world...the "mistakes" we make are what makes our quilts unique to us. Add borders...miter corners or don't...just take the plunge and go for it! Be sure to post pics when you are done!!

I'm another one who:

Hates machine snobs. There are certain brands/dealers that seem to be worse than others--I avoid them, I avoid stores that sell those brands. I may miss out on some classes they offer, fancy notions they offer...but it's not worth dealing with machine bullies.

Doesn't even measure when I make borders; I just cut strips at the right width, and make sure they're long enough by holding them up along the sides. If not, I sew some together. After sewing them on, I even up the end of the border with the rest of the quilt top. Then I sew on the top and bottom borders the same way. Never done mitered borders, but I do miter binding corners. Why? I like mitered bindings. Never thought about borders...will have to try that.

Has really taken the "if you can't see it while riding by on a galloping horse, it doesn't count" approach to boo-boos. Our LQS lady recently taught me recently that if you think you need to re-do a place where seams don't meet, just undo a couple of inches and pull them a bit closer. That usually helps enough, and is a lot better than picking out a whole seam and often, having it worse the second time!!

Consider my mistakes "creativity" especially in FMQ. LOL

Enjoy your quilting!!! No one NEEDS to cut apart perfectly good and often expensive fabric to sew back together to make quilts. WE DO IT FOR FUN. Remember that--the "mentor" seems to have forgotten.

Best wishes,
Hallie in NM

I'm afraid the "quilt nazi" and I wouldn't get along very well.....she wouldn't be able to stand me. I'm also kind of a haphazard cutter/piecer/quilter! I do my own thing, and it usually turns out good in the end, and so far, all of my quilts are holding up really good. :) By the way, welcome to the board, and please show us your quilts. We love pictures, and we love to help when someone asks us for advice.

You can sew two borders together and apply them without mitering the corners. I did it on a quilt I was working on just before Christmas and it worked out very well. It took a bit of thinking about how to do it, but once I had that done I liked the method and will use it again. I figured out the length I would need for both borders and the order in which I would usually apply them if doing them one at a time. I starched the fabric well and sewed the borders together leaving the seam open at either end so that I could attach them to the quilt without having to mitre them. I think I did the side seam first but I can't recall. Once you have the double border sewn on you just finish off the seams at the corners so that the inner border goes all around the quilt like it normally would. It worked fine and saved a lot of time. As you can see, adding the borders isn't my favorite job to do either! (I cut my borders a little longer than needed just in case, but measured and marked them carefully so that I would know the right length. The next time I won't leave myself very much extra fabric because it really did work quite nicely!)

Hmm...I think this sounds like border-line OCD? Quilting is an expression of colors blending, designs flowing, love blossoming into a warm attractive colorful 'blanket' to snuggle with. Mind you, I'm not a perfectionist at anything, I just love my artwork and let it flow naturally. If it's complicated, it isn't a hobby its a JOB! Some people pay another to place the borders onto their masterpieces - we all have a specialty we like or an area we dislike. I say if one isn't comfortable and stresses too much, what exactly is the point behind quilting?!

I think your mentor has gone into the quilt police area with her rules. Our grandmothers made wonderful quilts with any old treadle they could get their hands on so ditch the advice about getting a new(er) machine unless you feel the need. Borders do not need to be scary. Lay your quilt top out flat on a table or the floor. Measure through the center of the quilt lengthwise and cut your borders to that measurement. Fold the quilt top and the borders in fourths and pin at each fourth and also in between if you wish. Sew them on. Then lay your top out and measure through the center of the top again widthwise including the borders you just sewed on. Again measure the quilt and the borders in fourths and pin them on, adding pins as needed. Sew them on. When you sew the borders on lay your border fabric on top of the quilt top. It makes it much less likely to stretch and give you wavy borders. Not as difficult as your "mentor" made it sound. Good luckj!