Hi,
I am making a quilt that measures 40.5 x 30 inches. In the directions for the outer border it says to cut 5 strips, 5.5 x 40, for the inner boarder cut 5 strips 1 1/8 x40. The you sew the inner and outer border strips together.

Now, this is supposed to be a mitered border, but obviously there is not enough length on the side borders to do this. It says to piece as necessary. Would you ever piece the strps together to make the border strips longer? Will it look bad to do this?

Thanks,

Margaret

Mitering borders is much different then mitering binding so it doesn't take too much extra. It's fine to piece a border to make it longer. I do it all the time which makes it fine in my book. :lol:

If I'm using a fabric that the seam will be really noticeable, I usually buy more fabric and cut the borders lengthwise. I cut those first, then I cut the other pieces. It takes more planning to do it this way, but it's worth it if I'm going to be unhappy with the pieced border. It's easier to get away with piecing it if the pattern is smaller. JMHO :)

I cut the borders lengthwise, too. Especially if mitering corners.

It sounds like in your directions, that you're cutting 5 of each of the borders, the 5th to be cut in half and added to the borders for the long sides. That's the only way it will be long enough.

if the fabric is a pattern where you won't notice the joining seam i'll do it.

i never join strips for a border if the fabric is solid or if the seam will stand out on a certain pattern.

I often seam my borders and I try to place the seam in the center of the panel (it's a symmetry thing). Depending on my mood (and how much fabric I have) is whether I figure out how long the pieces have to be to accommodate the miter, or I just sew them on and cut off the excess.

The fact that your instructions tell you to cut five (5) lengths, indicates that you are expected to seam the long side.

Thanks, everyone.

I will try to piece the borders. It's a busy print so it won't be too noticeable.

Margaret

I'm sure it will look great. Post a picture when you get done.

I piece borders all the time. On one of my first quilts, I wasn't using a pattern and didn't plan for the border, so came up really short. The solution ended up improving the quilt dramatically, so even though it's one of my first, it's still one of my favorites.

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg

WOW!!!

thats your 1st quilt!

the quilting is awesome - i love the circular pattern to the quilting.

YOU'RE A ROCK STAR!