I have managed to avoid quilts with mitered borders --until now. The border fabric I'm using will not work with regular seams -- gotta be mitered borders.

1) How hard are they really?
2) Any advice?
3) Any good videos?

Dee Dee, I just did one using this tute:

http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/200...d-corners.html

EASY!!!!!!!!!!

On Youtube are some video's, just search for patchwork mitered borders.

Dee Dee - here's another tutorial:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-21057-1.htm

Everything's easy once you know how :)

I got over my fear of them at a quilting class, where our instructor managed to get us confident enough in his technique to not even mark - just cut and sew!

Take a 10" square of scrap material and four 2" wide 16" long strips.

Watch the video.
Understand how much additional length you need to add to your border depending on the border width.

Now practice on the scrap material. Get used to where YOUR needle/foot is stopping relative to the end of the quilt top. What guides do you have to let you know you're 1/4" away from the edge? Familiarize yourself with them.

Now, there are many different methods for actually sewing the miter. Play around with the fabric to see which you feel most comfortable using. Can you get the miter to lay FLAT so it's a perfect 45 angle after sewing?

I NEVER trim the excess fabric until I'm sure of the above.

Then work on your quilt. Because, really, if you're unsure, playing around with a full/queen/whatever size quilt isn't fun. Plus it's so much more to rip out.

Once you can visualize the whole process, you'll see how easy it all is. You won't hesitate to do them in the future. And y-seams will be a breeze.

;-)

I just looked at the two tutorials you referred me to and they are great! Really good advice about practicing with a small piece of fabric first.

Dee Dee, I was dreading it but it's a special quilt for my son who is getting married. I'm a scaredy cat lol
It turned out fine! :D

it really isnt as hard as we all think it is

Watch the tutorials. Practice with scraps. Once you get it they aren't nearly as hard as they seem. If I can do them anyone can.

Pittsburgpam's tute is great! Be sure to starch. Use tons of pins.

You can do it!