Thanks andir for your on-line instructions. And the tip about not having to use a tape measure. Sooooo much easier that way and less frustration than measuring multiple times b/c you forgot what you measured the first time.

You are correct, tape measures can be inaccurate but if you use the same tape to measure both then it doesn't matter does it? It is still the same measurement, even if it is inaccurate. As long as the border measures the same as the center of the quilt the number you use is just that, a number. So I use an old fashioned tape measure.

For me, I find it much easier to fold my quilt in half and measure that, then double the measurement. Or I will often prepare my border and fold it in half and cut at that half measurement with the zero being on the fold. Andi's trick is also quite reliable of not using a tape measure but the quilt itself to cut your border to the correct size. (as long as you use the center of the quilt.

I usually measure the center twice to ensure I get the same measurement both times. I avoid doing it on the floor simply because I am getting old and creaky. LOL. My sewing room is a guest bedroom so I often use the bed but if the quilt is smaller I use my ironing board or cutting table. I find working with half the quilt easier then wrestling with the whole thing all spread out.

I learned in a quilting class to measure the borders from the middle of the quilt. Then mark at half & quarter points on both the quilt edge & border & pin, easing it all in place & sew. Works like a charm. (Remember to cut the borders for 2 sides, sew them on then measure in the middle for the other two sides. Ask me why I'm reminding you. lol

ROLF!!! I can so relate - I forget in the short distance it takes to walk to my table to jot down the measurement!!

Thanks for your response. Yes, I've used the quilt itself to measure for borders (always in the middle) but then I don't usually measure the border to see how long it is, I just cut another the same length. So I often don't actually know the number it measures. And I don't usually measure middle and both sides. I'm having trouble with the borders on the quilt I'm currently making so I did take those three measurements today, both width and length.

On the floor is hard for me, too. For the record, I do use a tape measure...if not the border fabric....but I wondered if this is what others do, too. I hadn't thought of folding the quilt in half, dumb me!

I measure my quilt before cutting my borders also, and then I use a walking foot to sew them on. They always come out the same length.

Everyone always says to measure from the middle and use that measurement for the border. That is the only way I DID end with wavy borders. I have found that the wavy border is the result of the edge of the quilt being a different measurement than the center. So if you are trying to " work in" a border that's longer or shorter than the edge you are sewing it to, its going to end up looking like it doesnt fit - and will end up wavy. I always pin the borders on, leaving an inch or two at each end to trim off. I don't have any problems with wavy borders . Just be sure that when you are feeding the fabric as you sew it, you don't put ANY pressure on it -either trying to pull it under the foot of pull it back as it goes under the foot. I hold it very, very loosely and let it go gently under the foot . Should be fine!

Guess which newbie has wavy boarders because she didn't recall correct mearsuring and didn't see this post :(

I am a new quilter and did a McKenna Ryan 12 pattern applique quilt...lots of work. When putting the borders on, I just cut a long strip of the border fabric longer than the side and sewed it on. Well, there was NOTHING I could do to get the wave out but to remove the strip and measure it to the same as the other side to square it up. I will ALWAYS do it as AndiR recommends from now on. It was perfect after redoing it and has nothing to do with the quilt police...it just needs to be the same to lay flat. I suppose the larger sizes make the bigger difference. Thanks for the tips!!!

To measure my quilts to make sure they are square I use place my quilt on top of my cutting mat (36 x 24) that is on my cutting table.
I measure the middle both directions first and then all the sides.
I've not had issues with my own quilts doing it that way. But I have had issues with customer quilts that I longarm and have that extra that I have to tuck in somehow, and to adjust the longarm pattern as I often use designs that are from the computer I have with my longarm. It makes it difficult to get them perfect if the quilt is not squared. I try to measure my customer's quilts before I load them to see if I may have issues as I quilt and make adjustments as I go.
So far I've had good luck in 'fixing' them. And they all look great when they are done.

QuiltingGrannie
Quilter's Pantry