How to prevent wavy borders?
 

I know it is best to cut borders on lengthwise of grain but sometimes I can't for various reasons. So what is the best way to stabilize borders ?

When you cut your border, measure 3 times across your quilt, then average it. This is the length you cut your border. Start pinning in the middle and pin to both ends. Also, when you sew the border to the quilt top, put the border on top. Hope this makes sense.

I always sew on my borders with the quilt top on the bottom, the border piece on top. Even with a walking foot this helps "ease" in the quilt top and keeps the border flat. Clear as mud? :) Be sure and measure 3 times, once thru the middle and both sides and then take the average. Some people just take the middle measurement but I like to average. Do the same procedure for the top and bottom borders.

Raggiemom, we were typing at the same time! :)

I tend to cut my borders on the crosswise grain- but that is what works for me. When I attach them to the quilt, I take the measurement down the middle of the quilt and use that, not just the measurement down the side.
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Borders are wavy because there's more fabric in them than in the rest of the quilt. So measuring, as the others have responded, is the key. You can also keep the border fabric more stable by starching it and handling it carefully.

Here's a great online tutorial for adding borders: http://frommycarolinahome.wordpress....nding-the-why/

Also pin the border to the quilt top. I have a friend who doesn't think measuring and pinning is necessary, then she wonders why her border is wavy and her quilt not square. I will admit, I cut my border a tad longer than I've measured, pinning where the edge should be but that gives me a little fudge room when it just doesn't work out that way. ;)

I measure carefully through the center of the quilt. I usually check as I'm putting the top together to make sure both sides are even. Cutting is either lengthwise or crosswise depending on the fabric. I mark the middle and quarter points of both the top and the border. Then I pin pin pin matching the middle and quarter points. I usually sew with the border on the bottom so I can make sure my block seams aren't twisted. Putting on borders is my least favorite part of quilting but mine always lie flat.

Dunster is absolutely correct AGAIN !! Good going girl !! If your quilt isn't square, then the borders may be wavy no matter how you cut your border. What was mentioned above does work ONLY if you are off a bit. I have had customers that their quilts were off MORE than an inch in different locations on their quilts. Also I have noticed that photos of even table runners don't lay flat because they are so heavily quilted. Let the beauty of your piecing outshine any quilting that you do. Quilting should compliment the quilt top, not compete. Just my opinion. :)

Try not to pull on it when attaching it.

Dunster is correct. What you DON'T want to do is sew your border fabric on, then trim it even. This will result in wavy borders. Attach borders as the others have described.

I lay a fabric border down the middle of my quilt. I pin one end and cut the other end to fit. I do the same across the middle. I do it again with the other two borders. I don't measure with a tape. Why have a middle man.

This is what I do. I find it gets me a more accurate piece than trying to measure it with a tape. I always cut them cross wise. I never have enough length to do it any other way.

Here is a really good blog with pictures explaining how to do it. http://frommycarolinahome.wordpress....nding-the-why/

this thread was posted an hour before yours http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t242291.html

Thanks for posting this link! I think it's shows the proof why borders should be measured, pinned, then sewed.

Nan - Indiana

Thank you for posting the link to my tutorial! I spent a lot of time to get the pictures right so it is understandable. Let me know if you still have questions, as I am always looking to improve understanding.
http://frommycarolinahome.wordpress....ders-tutorial/

I cut my borders a little (2") longer than needed. When I sew it on I just lay it on top and sew then trim. Only pin (or not even) about 10" in front of the needle. No puckers or waves because I don't have to stretch or scrunch it to fit a certain length! Works great for sewing on the first side of binding, too.

That is how I sew sashing to blocks.

It is important to measure three times, in the center and about 6inches (or the length of of the block) from the edge on either end and average for a correct measurement for borders. I always lay my quilt down flat to measure rather that hold it up in my hands because it is more accurate. You will most often be inaccurate in the measurement if you measure right at the edges because you cannot control the stretch of component parts. Someone mentioned she always had to do crosswise borders because she never had enough fabric left to do lengthwise borders. That can be solved by cutting the lengthwise borders first. If you need to piece them use a diagonal seam and match the pattern if that is appropriate such as large flowers or animals or other things that would be obvious if not matched. While ou may not consider the border as prominent part of the design you don't want them to be a distraction.

Kitsie, you are describing the slap and sew method, this will give you extra in the borders. The person quilting your quilt will have to do some easing to take up the excess. If it is quilted without easing, the quilt will not come out square. It all depends on what you are OK with. If the quilt is for show, points will be taken off for this. If you are just using the quilt for a baby quilt or other use like that, it probably doesn't matter. The larger the quilt, the more excess you get.