Mitering corners....help
 

Please help me with your tips, tricks and favourite videos on how to miter corners. I can do the sewing part, I cannot do the part where you pull it to the front and make it into a miter. I usually get about 1 out of 4 right. The rest are lumpy or the edge leading out of the miter is messed up....

Any help appreciated.

Watson

I've found that it's much easier to miter corners using bias binding. But to be honest, on big quilts I just use rounded corners and bias binding so I don't have to miter. I'll see if there are any videos in my bookmarks.

I usually use EB method but learned long ago to machine baste my miter, then press and see if it lines up with a square up ruler. On my avatar quilt, one of the miter was off and since the quilt was going to be in competition, I had to redo it.

I knew I had one. I read about this video on this board. He does it a tiny bit different which makes it easier.
http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/vi...trick-lose.htm

I fold the miters exactly how I want them, glue baste in place then sew them together. I don't see how it could be any easier.

Oh you mean binding miter corners? The key is to keep the fold at the corner exactly straight when folding back and stopping exactly 1/4" before the end of the seam.

Been my nemesis, too, but what really helps me is the tute by Crafty Gemini on binding. YouTube her. Good teacher. I have looked at soooo many videos and books , but only her teaching style has turned the lightbulb on for me.

I like this one by Patrick Lose because he shows how to reduce some of the bulk in the corner:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMsmEtonhoA

I'm assuming you mean mitered binding not mitered borders. If you mean borders, please let me know & I'll post different links.

Hands down, the best tutorial I've ever seen on mitered binding (and borders) is Bonnie K Browning's class on AQS iQuilt. She is so clear & easy to understand. I just love her! They're running a promotion right now that if you type in the coupon code IQ25 you get 25% off the price of the class -- plus, if you're an AQS member, you get an additional 20% off that (final member price is $18). https://www.iquilt.com/course/border...shing-touches/

Among the free classes, my absolute favorite is a 4-part series by Sherri Driver on the McCall's YouTube channel.
Joining the Strips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hha94oe3XA
Machine Sewing Binding to Quilt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2MJdPFzSbE
Joining the Ends: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w5npghs4V8
Turning & Hand Stitching:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6lvBzEqq1o

The main piece of advice I would share, though, is that you need to sew to 1/4" from edge of quilt, backstitch & then take the quilt off the machine. At that point, you'll fold to turn the corner & start stitching with that backstitch to secure the seam. I've certainly seen people who do shave off a tiny bit of the binding before turning their binding to the front to hand stitch, but I've never had luck with that. I just follow the directions in the tutorials & then make sure to stitch the corners closed -- which both makes them more secure & makes them lie a bit flatter.

Thank you for sharing. I am going to try that method next. Got a binding ready to go.

Love that tip from Patrick Lose. My corners are so much better. :thumbup:
Here are my tips. Pay attention to every detail...from squaring your quilt,
sewing the binding straight and stopping just before the 1/4" mark...
and make sure when you fold the binding at the corner that it does not
go over the edge. Take your time. I know I'm guilty of rushing that
binding because I can't wait to get it done.:D

Stop sewing 1/4 from the corner; fold your binding strip with 90 degree angles and tuck under your already sewn side. Start sewing next edge 1/4" away from corner. Repeat with all 4 sides. When you are ready to flip to the back and sew down be sure to clip your quilt corners at a 45 degree angle to reduce bulk.

I don't normally have issues with the miters but if they are being particularly cantankerous, put a pin through the miter until you've gotten the back sewn down. If need be, put a stitch or two in the miter to hold in place.

That's the same video as the link I posted above. When I looked at it on youtube it said not to share from there but yours doesn't. Weird.

eta: when I followed the link I posted and then the youtube link on the page it no longer says not to share.

my tip is to try folding the miter both ways. lay the top down and fold the side at 45 degrees. Then fold the side flat and fold the top at 45 degrees. one way always lays flatter. (my friend said it is opposite from the back, but then there is always that one rebel miter that does it the same direction!)

It seems like each process of making and binding a quilt is open to how it feels best to you and if the finished task is done well. It is like cooking all good recipes but the cooks are happiest using their own way of doing it. I forced myself to read, watch videos and practice a long time before I was happy with my bindings. I only use a bias binding when the edges are curved or inverted and need a gentle stretch or encouragement to conform.

Go to YouTube and look for MSQ Jenny Doan " the perfect binding tutorial". That is the method I use and she shows how to do it step by step with great camera angles.

I make mine sort of like Patrick Lose's method but I have never tried the 45 deg. angle that he makes when he comes to a corner & clip out the excess fabric. I will try that next time (if I remember to do it...:)).
Watson, this was a good question for the board.

its those 3 - 5 stitches to the point that changed my mitering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vci9-li3aYU

Thanks for all the really great information here. I have been using Patrick lose' method of removing that extra fabric for a
while now and am very satisfied with how much it helps. I will be going back to watch all the other information. QB is a great source for help. TFS
peace