I have my grandson's biker bug quilt ready to put the backing on and quilt it but, I have noticed ripples on the side, do I go ahead and quilt it, what do I need to do.

Thanks, Cookie

you need to remove the borders and remeasure then replace, you'll be glad you did.

First, square up your quilt as best you can. Then measure the length of your quilt in the center not the edge, cut your borders to this length and ease in any extra when you sew it on. Then measure the width across the center, cut the last 2 borders and ease. I read this in a book somewhere and have always done it this way. It really works to square up your quilt. In case you don't know how to ease, you match and pin the corners of your quilt and border together on both sides. Next, find the center of the quilt and the border and pin those 2 centers points together. Then work with the area between the center & the right corner. Find the center of this area on the quilt and on the border & pin this. Continue finding the centers of the smaller & smaller areas until the whole length is pinned. Does this make sense?? Use lots of pins!!!

Thanks Kathy and PaperPrincess, I only have one side that is rippled and it fits great on the side, the ripple is on the outside. Should I maybe take it off and wash the material then pot it back on?

Cookie

If you sewed the borders on without first measuring the quilt through the middle and cutting the border strips to match that measurement, that is why you have the ripples. You have sewn extra border fabric to the quilt, creating ripples. You will need to remove the border strips, measure, and cut border strips to correct length. Then fold border piece in half and half again, pin border to quilt at middle, ends, and halfway points -- all before you ever start sewing the border to the quilt. Ease any excess to keep the pins matching.

Oops. Just saw your post about only one border being rippled on the outside. Either the outside edge of the border stretched while being handled, or you have sewn excess border to the quilt. You can try "blocking" the border edge to see if you can get it to shrink back to correct length. Sharon Schamber has a Youtube video on how to do this for a block. Basically you pin the fabric to an ironing board, spray with spray starch, and steam the fabric back into shape.

The outside ripple is what some quilters call lettuce leaf. It's the border. I would do what was posted above and take off the border. It's not something that can be "quilted out" and you'll be glad once you redo it.

Hi Cookie!
I don't have any advice but was just wondering what a "Bikers Bug" quilt was? Do you have any pics?
Thanks!
David

Me too,esp since I'm a biker lol

This is it and the ripples

Can't see them but they are noticeable.

Cookie

Not bad to my eyes Cookie, It is an AWESOME quilt I love it!! I'm sure your DGS will love it too
David

I love that quilt! Where did you get the biker and mc fabric?

I would do what has already been suggested. Measuring across the center instead of the outside edges makes the world of difference in the outer border.

Adorable quilt! I am seeing a lump. I think the fabric wasn't true to grain when the strip got cut. If that is the case, I would just baste the quilt. Then with your machine, baste a stitch around the very edge. Pull your bottom thread a bit until the fullness is eased in a bit. I have done this and it works. Good luck. And he will love it even if it was all cattywampus, which it isn't. You made it for him.

Thanks to all of you, I'm going to unsew it and try to straighten it out.

Cookie

Thank you so much, I took the boarder off and resold it. It looks great so far, now on to quilting.

Again Thank You!! Cookie

Really cute quilt, and I'm glad you have the borders fixed.