Question for Long Armers
 

I am wondering why when quilting a quilt, we are supposed to measure it then take the smallest measurement and then make the rest of the quilt fit that measurement as we quilt it. Why cant I take my quilts largest measurement and make the quilt to fit that? Is my question clear as mud? If my quilt measures in the middle say 50 inches, and another part measures 54 inches, I am supposed to schrunch the quilt as best I can to make it 50 inches?

Are you talking about adding borders?

If so, let me clarify what you're "supposed" to do, then explain why.

If you measure your quilt at 50 inches in one spot, and 54 in another, it's best if you average the measurements, which in this case would be 52". (I personally would go back and figure out why there's a 4" difference, because that is a huge discrepancy and would be very difficult to manage without some sort of remedy, such as ripping and fixing blocks before adding borders.) You would then cut your border at 52".

The reason you don't just cut it at 54 is because you will end up with excess fabric and wavy borders, and when you go to quilt it you will have puckers and gathers in the border.

Hope this helps. If I have misunderstood your question, please clarify.

I am hoping the measurements you gave were just a "for example" because I have never had one that had a variance of more than an inch and most of the time much less than that.

I agree, it is very hard to ease in 4" and if my variance was that large, I would probably try to figure out why and correct the error as that much excess will cause serious problems trying to keep flat while you are quilting on a LA and quite honestly you would end up having to take some pleats to get it to work. But it is equally difficult to try and stretch an area that much and would more than likely cause popped seams as well as skipped stitches because too much tension was on the quilt.

So, assuming your sizes were simply an exaggeration, the reason you take the smallest measurement and go with that is because quilting takes up excess fabric. So if you have an area that is too big, it is much better to try and work that excess in during quilting, as opposed to trying to stretch the short areas out to match the largest measurement. Also the reasons I state above, even if as small as 1", when you put too much tension on a quilt top loaded on the rack you run the risk of popped seams in the piecing or bad tension or skipped stitches due to too much tension on the top.

Aha, thank you ladies so much. Yes, the 50 to 54 was just an example, not my actual measurements, I havent checked yet. It all makes sense now. Appreciate your time to help me understand. Sandra

So, assuming your sizes were simply an exaggeration, the reason you take the smallest measurement and go with that is because quilting takes up excess fabric. So if you have an area that is too big, it is much better to try and work that excess in during quilting, as opposed to trying to stretch the short areas out to match the largest measurement. Also the reasons I state above, even if as small as 1", when you put too much tension on a quilt top loaded on the rack you run the risk of popped seams in the piecing or bad tension or skipped stitches due to too much tension on the top.[/QUOTE]

Short answer: To keep the quilt square and it is easier to ease in than stretch areas.

I don't long arm quilt. I think I would try to even the quilt up before I started quilting it. Just makes sense to me.

I am very confused by the question, maybe because it was asked to longarm quilters. Sandra, are you wondering how to measure your quilt top so you can attach borders or how to measure the backing so it can be sent to the longarmer??

She's not wondering how, she's wondering why.

But yes, the way the question was phrased was confusing. I took a stab at guessing what she meant. :thumbup:

If this is referring to adding borders, I always take 3 measurements at three different places on the quilt. Then I use the average of these three numbers to make my borders. Works perfectly for me and I long arm my own quilts.
I also handle my flimsy carefully (when showing it before quilting or whatever) When folding I grip by the seam where the border connects to the main body of the quilt. Borders tend to stretch very easily if not handled with care.

Ok, for those who are confused by my question, let me try to clarify. A group of us ( sometimes more than 12 ) quilt at a friends place. She has a great set up. Some of the quilt tops brought in are uneven to say the least. We are not the quilt police. We all are having fun, learning and want to help each other. Yes, some have been off by more than 4 inches. Not just borders wonky. The whole quilt. Some ladies are not getting exact quarter inch seams. When we do these we measure the shortest part of the quilt horizontally and vertically. Then we try to ease in the excess. My thought was why do it that way instead of using the longest measurement and stretching the quilt to fit that instead of easing in. Whew! Ok, hope the confusion is solved.