If you have an even-feed attachment it can help with this problem.

This is what I do. I think I read about this over at Quiltville. I figure if I measure it, there's a chance that I will cut wrong - been know to do that. I just lay the top out flat and smooth the borders (or sashing) flat down the the center, then I place a thin cutting mat under neath and rotary cut.

So glad this question was asked!!! I believe my problem to be in my cutting process. Length of the fabric, what a simple fix. Thanks for all the help even when someone else ask the question.

I never cut my borders until the quilt is done. Then I measure the length of the quilt - in two places - and average those measurements. I always put my border on the bottom, quilt on top when I sew. Less chance of stretching that way - at least for me. Seam allowances can vary so much when you sew a quilt together, it's almost crazy to cut a border when you cut out your pieces - it never fits!

Remember to measure from the center of your quilt - not along the edges...........pin the center of each side - and the center of your border strip.............then match ends and ease pieces together...............Good Luck!!

I measure the width and length in the centre and cut. When pinning on to top I begin in the centre of border and then the ends and pin half of each section. If one is longer than the other it does help to spread out the problems. Mine are always flat and no waves. I also do the long sides then, the short sides.

Thank you all for the great tips. I'll measure from the center of my quilt out. I have just cut & sewn strips to the quilt. This is probably why I have had the "Wavy" look. I will also pin the border on next time.

Thanks, Marilee

heavy starch will help and start pinning in the middle.

When long borders are required I always tear the fabric. They come out straight every time. You may need to press the edges. I make a lot of queen & king size quilts & I wouldn't do it any other way.

I was taught to fold the top in quarters and mark each fold, then measure where each of the marks was. Take the 3 measurements and average them, and cut your borders that size. This is because the outside edges are almost always longer than the center. Once those borders are on, fold, mark and measure the other direction.