Help!! Measuring Border for Out of Square Quilt
 

Help!! I am at the point of adding borders for a quilt set on the diagonal. The middle measures 85" and the sides are 88-89". I am inclined to go with the middle measurement, but that is a big difference. Can I ease in 3-4" or do I need to try something in between?

If you measure about 1/4 of the way down the quilt - 1/2 and then 3/4 - do you come up with the same as the middle measure of 85"?? Second - i am a little confused by your description that the "sides" are 88-89"....But i sure would not try to "ease" 3-4 inches...but that's just me.....a picture might help. PS....love your Maine Coon.

A picture will be so helpful.

When I am adding boarders ~ I measure in 3-5 areas, NEVER do I measure at the ends/sides (approx 2"-3" from the end), then average the 3-5 measurements.

A 3 or 4 inch difference is huge in terms of a quilt...I would try to figure out why there was such a big difference and correcting the errors ...this will help bring the quilt back closer to square and make it much easier to deal with borders....if you post a pic we may be able to see the problem areas and suggest the correct fix

In general, with that big a difference in measurements, I would try to fix the problem with the center before adding borders. It will take a little more time, but you will save that time when you do the quilting.

..and if your numbers are not consistently the same at all points usually it is recommended that you average out and use that figure....that is what I do, and sometimes you may have to wiggle or tug, but no wavy border that way

Thanks, Granny Dwynn, I re-measured, not measuring at the end. I must have been stretching the ends too much. It is now much closer and I feel better. I am so glad you experienced quilters are so willing to give your time and expertise to a beginning quiltmaker. The sides are still a little wavy. I tried to load a picture but I must be doing something wrong.