Wavy border
 

I figured I would be fine to carefully sew on my last 2 borders. I laid it out on the floor and my borders were bad.[ATTACH=CONFIG]603303[/ATTACH]

I think you know what to do - unappealing as the idea is - - - -

I picked off my borders, measured the quilt center( what I should have done in the first place) chalked a line and pinned the top and bottom of the border to the quilt top. I pinched up the extra quilt top in the center and pinned it the the center border. I then equally distributed the extra quilt top on both sides of the center and put in lots of pins. I sewed with the quilt top on top because the feed dogs would not ease in about 2 inches of extra fabric. I swept the quilt top towards the foot as I sewed with a straight pin just short of making a pleat. Voila, the borders lay perfectly flat now and this is how much I was able to ease using this method.[ATTACH=CONFIG]603309[/ATTACH]

Well done!!!

I usually measure the "center" in three places - take an average of the three numbers (if there is a huge discrepancy between the numbers, there is a problem that needs to be addressed!)

I fold the top into halves, quarters, and then into eighths - and pin or put a chalk mark on the edge.

I usually cut the border "a bit" longer - hardly ever "exact length" - mark off the "length that matches the top" on the borders - I leave a bit "extra" on both ends - just in case - sometimes I need that extra little bit - and then divide the "length that matches the top" into segments.

Then I match up the segments. It's a lot easier to only have to deal with easing in a one to two foot stretch than worrying about the whole side.

This usually works for me.

Thanks for the explanation Tartan and for the diagram Bearisgray- very helpful.

Rob

I cut my borders to fit after I sew them on. If there is a small wave I ease the fullness to the seam and press the fullness fold to the seam and since I quilt my quilts myself I put a dab of glue on it to hold and the quilting always hold it down. No one can tell and not even the fair judges who examine them up close.

Bearisgray, I could have used that diagram and explanation a few months back. I was close to tears trying to figure out a fairly wonky border job on one of my quilts! This is perfectly clear, and reasonable, thanks!

Great job with the re-do. Glad you were able to fix them.

I stay-stitch using a 2.0 stitch length along each quilt edge and each border edge. Give both another press. Then mark and pin as described by bearisgray.

Stitch both together. The extra stay-stitching prevents the fabrics from stretching as they go through the feed dogs and presser foot. It takes less than 5 more minutes to stay-stitch.

Measuring through the center keeps that from happening. I use one strip then use that strip to measure against the border for other side. Do the top and bottom the same way.