This seems to be a weekly thing but I'm working on a project that has a lot of "firsts" for me. I just finished up my third bargello but this one has a border. I've never quilted in the border before since I've only ever done really thin borders. The borders on this quilt just don't seem to want to stay flat so I can quilt them. Should I attach the binding and THEN quilt in the borders? The stencil I'm using is quite thin so it won't go to the edge to cause puckers. I used a high loft batting so the borders are really poofy right now.

You should complete the quilting before binding.

I think that the highloft batting is your problem. You may not be able to quilt in the borders. Good luck and just remember that these first quilts are lessons.

are you sure you didn't stretch your borders or cut them too long? did you measure through the middle or on the side? if your sure you did them right then you should do a straight stitch closer than 1/4" from the outside edge, that will stabilize it and hopefully make it behave so you can quilt, my other advice is to not use high loft batting unless you're on a frame so you can keep everything stretched tight and flat
good luck

This is my question also...

If you simply sewed on the borders without first measuring the quilt sandwich through the middle and cutting to size, that could be the cause of your problem. It causes the border edges to ripple because of excess fabric in the border.

your problem is probably the high loft batting. You will have more problems if you bind and then try to finish quilting. Can you draw your quilting design on and then just pin the heck out of it?

I made the borders just as the pattern said to, measuring through the middle of the quilt and they came out really nice. I think I might try basting close to the edge as Kathy suggested. I think my problem is the high loft. I think I also might spray baste the borders and pin them.

I've been trying to do some closer quilting and it's really killing my hands (arthritis) to stretch it so much to prevent puckerings. Next time the high loft is going on a frame! :lol: This is my twelfth quilt and it's still just as much of a learning experience as the first one (albeit, with less tears, :lol: ).

I love the look of high loft batting but I hate quilting it. It's easier to tie.

I FINALLY got it all quilted. I ended up pinning the entire length of the borders (1/4" from the edge) and then doing a nice stenciled design. I figure I'll make the binding and attach it tomorrow before beginning the longer process of hand-stitching the binding to the back. Thanks for all the help!! It means so much to this new quilter. I just passed my 1 year mark and am finding sooo much left to learn.