Why don't my quilt tops lay flat?
 

My blocks are good, I can match my corners well, I can square up my blocks, I press everything. When it gets to putting it all together it develops problems.

My borders are wavy, the center sometimes has bumps that won't lay flat.


At least I'm in good company-most of these things she sings about I can relate with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzoL7...ure=plpp_video

What are your suggestions for improving?

For borders, it's important to measure through the middle of the quilt, cut the borders to that length, then divide and pin the border to the quilt before starting to sew. The most common reason for wavy borders is that the quilter has simply taken a length of fabric, sewed it to the quilt, then cut it to fit.

Starching fabric stabilizes it so it is much less likely to stretch out of shape or distort as you work with it. Starching before even cutting your pieces helps ensure accurate cuts. Spray starching as you assemble will help keep blocks flat and straight.

I press most seams open if they won't show through. It really helps to fuse lightweight interfacing on the back of the top before adding borders. I fuse about six inches around the quilt and then sew on the border. I like Misty Fuse.

IMHO I always measure each side and then the middle and I average them out and cut my border to that measurement. It's also best to try and cut your borders on the length of the fabric rather than crosswise. In a lot of patterns they tell you to cut your borders first. I used to have the same problem...I sewed my blocks nicely and squared everything up and it would still have those wavy borders. But this seems to have worked the best for me. Hope this helps. Using starch is another great idea. I do go thru a lot of starch.

Starch is your friend. It really helps keep the fabrics from distorting or stretching. If you've squared at every step, that is the only thing I can think of that might help you.

Are you applying your borders properly? I have a handout that explains how to do it so they will lie flat - go here and click on "How to Apply Borders" http://www.andicraftsquilting.com/learn.htm

Good advice here - measure across the middle in each direction and ease the difference in.

Well, I guess that answers my question. Thanks. I tend to just start at one end, sew to the end and then cut it off. That's probably why all my long sashing between my blocks is wavy too. So actually measure and not wing it.

I had the same problem as you. My blocks seem to be very good and the blocks of my quilt went together very well but when it came to my outer border I had a wavy problem. I found that handling the quilt alot stretched out my bporder fabric. I had the quilt top at my sewing group working on it and when someone came in they wanted to see it and they held the quilt top up holding it by the outer border to show to everyone. Well when I laid it out to make my quilt sandwich it was all stretched out and would not lay flat. I also applied my borders the same method you did. So I took off all the outer border and washed the fabric by swishing it around in the washer and laying it out flat on my ironing board to dry. i then pressed and starched. I applied the borders again in the method they suggest by measuring thru the center of the quilt and it lays nice and flat now.
I also will not hold my quilt top up to show to people until it is pinned with the batting and backing or it may stretch out the border. I do have alot of machine embroidery in my quilts which makes them weigh heavier so it really is more weight to the quilt when you hold it up by the top border to show it to someone. I really swear by measuring thru the center of the quilt now to apply my border. I was skeptical before if it mattered to do that but learned the hard way it does matter.

HUGS
Corry

The only time I've had that issue was when I put too much tension on a binding when putting it on. I dont cut 2" bindings anymore. I cut 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" bindings and I'm mindful to just let the quilting/walking foot do it's work and feed at it's own speed and pace. I am for sure going to try the starching method mentioned.

Lots of good tips offered here.

after all that, you might try blocking your quilt while it's wet. lay flat and take your largest ruler and make the corners square. measure across if necessary with a tape measure and make the whole quilt square. when almost dry, put in dryer to fluff up a bit and get rid of any wrinkles. good luck.

I have had trouble in the past with quilts with blocks that are on point. The more you 'show them off' the more you can get stretch from those bias areas. Careful consideration of grain lines can help. Limited handling before quilting and pressing rather than ironing (no scrubbing!) have helped me too.

to measure for my borders, I use a method I learned in a Quiltmaker issue. Fold your quilt in half and lay the fold on a flat surface. Lay two borders close to the fold and trim to fit at each end, being careful not to trim the quilt top. Pin your borders matching ends, middle and quarters, then stitch, easing as you go. Do the same for the other 2 borders. I like this method as there is NO MATH! :::grin:::

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I'm sure this will help you. Measuring makes a huge difference! And when you get ready to sew the borders on, pin them in place first. I always mark the midpoint of my border, and half it again to mark it at the 1/4 points also. Then I mark the quilt top in the same manner. Next I pin the border to the top at each end, at the midpoint and at each 1/4 point. Then smooth/ease as needed between those pins to get everything distributed nice and evenly. It works every time and you're going to love the results.:thumbup:

Edit: I think Beth and I were typing at the same time... great minds think alike!

OK..this is a first...exactly what is the purpose of using interfacing? and You do realize that MistFuse is NOT an interfacing, but a fusible webbing meant to fuse TWO fabrics together right??? Are you sure you meant Mistyfuse is what you use, and not something else?

All excellent advice...I was always challenged but have learned the tricks...measuring center perpendicular and horizonal in the middle and pinning ends and folding in center and pinning and easing in no matter what even if it is a little bit...I also found WOF stretches more than length of fabric if you have enough or buy more...I also starch if I think there is a problem....One border I do not seem to have a problem but when I have multiple ones...it is ever learning....also a long armer told me she sometimes just sprays with water and lets it dry on her machine and it will work...have fun...Margo in Maine

After you sew your blocks together, before adding borders, stitch around the quilt top, this will prevent stretching.
Measure your quilt top through the middle in a couple places, this is the measurement of your border. If your quilt blocks have been squared this measurement should be consistant. Cut side borders the same. Cut top/bottom borders the same. This will allow your quilt to lay flat. :-)

It's also extremely important to stitch scant 1/4 inch seams. Just snapping on a 1/4" foot on your machine does not insure that the resulting seam is what it needs to be. The only way to test it to stitch 3 - 2 1/2" x 5" strips together.
If your joined strips measure 6 1/2" your seam stitch is correct. If it's not you will need to move your needle either to the left or right, which ever way will make the correction you need. Once you know that sweet spot for your needle be sure and write it down for future projects that require a scant 1/4" seam.

I've heard you can quilt it out too. My puffy Nov. quilt has sagging sections in the middle. It did help to press after it came out of washer/dryer.

I have to agree with several others regarding measuring the quilt and not just cutting a strip for the border, sewing it on, and then cutting off the extra. Also marking the quilt edges and the border edges and matching, then pinning is a must. Keeps me from being impatient and pulling on the border and quilt.

mltquilt

that was a very good question, I have the same problem, thanks for the good info and tut.one can always fine great solutions from others on the QB,and ever one is so helpful, that is what makes the QB so wonderful.

d.swindle

I needed the information about starching. I am going to start starching more. Especially liked the YouTube video song.

All good advice here. I have about have my DSonIL talking into quilting. I told him that I had learned more on this site than anywhere.
When I first started quilting DW told me to measure in three places and average them and pin the border. I taught her to starch.

Thank you all!! I have been going crazy trying to figure out what I have been doing wrong. I know how to sew but have never taken a quilting class. I made 6 quilts before running into this problem. I will NO longer just cut a strip, sew it on, and then trim the edges! Measure twice, cut once, and sew (hopefully) once :)

I don't use one side of the fusible. I just like Misty fuse because it's so soft and doesn't interfere with the quilting. Most of the time I fuse it on the back of the whole quilt top, it won't stretch while sewing on the borders or being manipulated under the machine. I use this method on bigger quilt tops. I got this hint one year at Paducah by ease dropping on a quilt show winner talking to another quilt show winner.. they both love Misty Fuse.

Forgot to say I use two layers of Misty Fuse if I use it for basting the quilt.