I have a beautiful quilt top that is pieced and set on point - I have already added the narrow stop border and was ready to add the final border when I realized the top is not square. :( I am too far along on this project to take it all apart --- I know, shame on me, but it just isn't going to happen in this lifetime. So - is there any way to make it square at this point? or do I just add that final border and live with it? I thought there was a method of making an unsquare top "float" within a border - is it true or am I imagining things? lol I think the problem lies within the setting blocks - if anyone is curious about it. :) Thanks for your help.

I wonder if your bias seams got wonky (they like to do that when not handled gingerly)? Did you starch the setting triangles before adding them in? Can you trim it to square it? How much out of square is it? Boy - don't you love it when you get questions instead of answers?

how unsquare is it? could you take a large ruler to the corners and trim 1/8 inch off? trimming borders is better than trimming blocks that to out to the edges.
if not, perhaps you can wet it and block it. lay it flat and measure it all around to make sure it's square. usually do that to completed quilts.

I did starch, but maybe not heavily enough.....I think the setting squares were cut a little large --- I really don't remember. I worked on this a long time ago and put it away when I realized it wasn't square --- but I love the quilt - the color, the fabrics, the pattern - everything about it, so I decided to get it out and finish it. I can not trim it to be square at this point, but I need to add another border - can I square it after adding that border? It is "off square" by about 1 & 3/4 inches.

If you are adding a final fabric border (no piecing/blocks) that may be the best time to square it up.
My thought is this, though. If it is a bed quilt, lay it on a bed, is it noticable? If it is a throw/sofa size, lay it out and look at it from a bit of a distance...
If the only way you notice this is when it is folded? You could end up making it more noticeable by trying to "fix" it :wink:

Ditto what Amma said :) Besides, who cares??? I don't think the "quilt police" will be knocking on your door and hauling off to jail because it's not "perfect". Ask any one on this board and I bet every one will tell you that their quilts are NEVER perfect. They get better with more experience, but they still aren't perfect. Square it up after the final border is on the best you can without stressing too much over it and finish it up and enjoy it :)

Is it possible to post a few pictures of the quilt? I did a "wonky" wall quilt and I just did not measure my quilt before I added the borders and when I quilted it and put it on the wall it looks horrible. Maybe because it is small. Hmm maybe ou could add appliqued flowers or whatever to draw your eye away from the wonkiness? I know how you feel though...bummer :?

The quilt is a throw/sofa size and the only time I noticed it wasn't square is when I folded it. I can live with it (it is for me anyway, not a gift) I just thought I would ask --- if there was a simple fix that I didn't know about.....well, I would kick myself for not checking here first for the solution. I will go ahead with the final border --- and I agree that trying to square it up may make a bigger problem. Thanks!

I agree with this. And since you've said it is for yourself....don't sweat it, and don't point out the problem to others. Eventually you will probably not even notice it so much.
Also, don't enter it in a quilt show. LOL

Don't worry too much about it. Lesson learned. Move on next time will be better.

yep, live with it then hon. most likely no one will ever notice.

Is it possable to dampen it and block to the carpet giving it a little tug to help w/the wonky, measure corner to corner to make sure it is square, if this will work on panels why wouldn't it work on a completed top?

What do others think on using this as an attempt to fix ??

Good Luck !! :)

How much out of square is it?

Unless it is a foot longer on one side, it probably is not going to matter.
I agree with the suggestion that if you need to make some compensation or other, the outer border is good for that.

But might just want to go with it.
Happens to everyone at some point.
It is beautiful for the mere fact that it is a quilt, in my book.

You could remove the narrow border on the offending side, make it the same length as the shorter side, and ease the quilt into the new shorter border on the longer side.

If it is too long to ease in completely, then ease in as much as you can, and then ease the rest in when you add the final border.

make your final border over-sized then square up your quilt top...no one will be able to tell.

i would leave it as is, add the final border, quilt it and wala - ten years from now you will look back at it and realize how much better you've gotten.