I have a 31x42 panel I want to add borders to. It's going to be a donation to the local library (Paddington Bear), but it's not square at all. I've trimmed around it and it looks to be about the same distance from the design all the way around. Any additional trimming would make the picture look way off.

It's been ironed. I'll keep the border simple--but will the unsquareness of it make it difficult? I don't want to put the time into it if it's going to look terrible.

Wet it and block it square. Then let dry. Once dry, add your borders and the panel should keep it's square shape, especially after quilting.

By block it you mean to lay it out with weight in the corners?

I've noticed that with a lot of panels, large and small, like the stamp wasn't straight when it went down.

You send it to me and get you another one! :wink:

Wet the fabric and pin it to your carpet,rug, or bed, squared up, to dry.
T pins are the best pins to use to save time and frustration.

You will want to pin it closely and evenly all the way around so that you don't end up with little hills and valleys around the edges :wink:

I use my husband's very large T-square from his tool wall in the garage to make sure I'm getting it square when I pin it to the carpet. Then I put a fan on it to dry it quicker.

Put it together with a twist and turn setting. No-one will be able to tell it is not square.

Is it printed off-grain?

If so, how much off-grain?

If it is, you'll have to decide if you can live with it or not.

It's pretty off...
What's a twist and turn setting?

I think something like funky log cabin blocks where each side is off kilter. does that make sense?

Oh--yes!! I know what you mean. Make them dizzy kind of squares so they won't know anything is off! :lol: Thank you.

When penning it down if thats what you decide, measure corner to corner and make sure they are the same, give it a little tug to adjust. Good Luck :)

Sounds like a plan coming together...can't wait to see pictures!

I'm glad to read this post as I have a couple of panels and sometimes I dont think they look quite straight. I haven't done anything with them yet but this is good info!

My avatar quilt pic here is not squared, can you tell? I paid $10 for the panel at local LQS and was very upset after it was washed, dried and crooked! I just kept trimming the corners & sides a little here and there, until it looked less noticeable.

This brings up another question. If you buy a panel at an LQS and it's crooked after wash/dry, can you return it for refund or credit with your receipt? I mean if it were beyond straightening $10 is a lot to lose!

I've learned to check to see if the panels are printed on-grain before buying them.

Once they are washed, they want to do their own thing, and if it's printed off-grain, it usually gets very wonky.

In response to the question: kick myself for not having checked the piece over before buying it.

It sounds like you got lots of great suggestions. I can't wait to see the quilt.

I'm thinking they are too off... I may have to cut it down--but that might not even work.

Karla, here is the solution from the Queen of Quilting, Sharon Schamber.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6aplw_tVZc

Good luck!

Hers is only 1/2" off--mine is hopeless I'm afraid....
I haven't had time to look at it again. But I know it was inches off--so I'll cut it down--but that may not even work. The alphabet border will need to come off.