Quiltingboard Forums - Easy Mitered corners-even with stripes

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- - Easy Mitered corners-even with stripes (https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutorials-f10/easy-mitered-corners-even-stripes-t159462.html)

It is so much easier to show this process "in person", so bare with me. I chose a stripe that is not the same from either direction and cut four 3" x wof strips. For the body of my sample I cut a 36" square. This can be done with rectangles as well, but it will be easier for you to try the first time with a square. I'm also using a marker for the 1/4" dot markings which I would not do on an actual piece.

This is simply "fussy cutting" the mitered borders. Seem like it takes a good bit to cut them, but it actually goes quickly and sewing is sooooooooo much faster. So here goes:

Cut four strips 3" x wof. stack them right side up, wrong side up, right side, etc... matching and pinning the stripes exactly together.

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Pin strips together being careful to match stripes as accurately as possible. Cut a 45 degree angle beginning near the selvage.

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After making the cut, leave the pieces pinned together.

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Since we know the piece measures 36" across the center, subtract 1/2" from that to determine the length of the short side of the border. Meauring from the top corner of the cut 35 1/2" to determine the top corner of the cut on the opposite end.

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This picture shows better the entire strip that measures 35 1/2" from one top point to the other.

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mark the spot that would be 1/4" from the end of the seam. In this case it is where my two lines cross. Mark the 1/4" dot on the body of the piece, also.

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Pin the 1/4" dot or interstions together, pinning the two ends first.

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After pinning the two ends accurately, carefully pin the edges together.

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Sew a 1/4" seam starting 1/4" from the end on the dot and ending at the 1/4" mark or intersection. Be sure to backstitch to secure stitching and sew as accurately as possible.

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To add the next border in a clockwise direction, fold back the 1st border to reveal the 1/4" dot. Pin the next border in your stack,matching and pinning the dots then the rest of the border. Stitch dot to dot as before being careful not to catch the 1st border in your sewing.

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Accurately pin the dot and sew dot to dot with backstitching at each end.

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Stitching doesn't look straight but you get the idea. On the other side the stitching should come right together at the 1/4" from the edges.

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fold the edges back allowing the mitered borders to extend beyond the corner.

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Sew a 1/4" seam starting 1/4" from the end on the dot and ending at the edge-backstitch.

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Seam before pressing open.

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Pressed.

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This picture shows two corners matched. The other two will be just like these.

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The only real time difference in the beginning of this method is making sure your stripes match first. The cuts and seams are to be a 45 degrees when we finish, so I just do that first.

So far on all projects larger than 12" squares, subtracting 1/2" from the center measurement of the pieces seems to work fine and allow for the corners. I have been using this method for at least 4 years and find that it works easily and quickly. I struggles to miter some black and white stripes on a project by the old method and knew there had to be a way. I tried a few and determined the 1/2" less. The exception seems to be on projects 12" or less, where 1/4" less seems to be enough.

I have pictures showing how to do more than one border at a time. The other example would be on a rectangle and there are two ways. Cut all four of the borders the length for the long sides, and sew a seam in the center of the borders of the two short sides to make them the 1/2" less than the width measurement. that leaves the corners still matching. The other method would be to cut all four the length of the shorter sides and add a section in the middle of each longer side. Not a clear explanation but you need to try a square first, then please ask me questions. This is the first time I've tried to do this with just pictures and captions.

Really great tutorial. I can't wait to try this!

Thank you can not wait to use this

You make it seem possible. Thanks.

wow. amazing. maybe get brave enough to do stripped mitered corners after seeing this!!!!

Thanks. I wondered how this was done. Your tute seems simple enough for me to attempt.

ps Love your avator.

Thank you for the great tutorial!

It looks easy enough for me to try! Tutorial was easy to follow! Good job Ira!

IraJane, I think you are a genius. love the tutorial, such clear instructions. Thank You for sharing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by logcabinfran

IraJane, I think you are a genius. love the tutorial, such clear instructions. Thank You for sharing.

Ditto. I used that same fabric for borders. Ended up using corner stones at corners, your way looks soooo much nicer.

Thank you. This is great!

And I always just eyeballed it! Who knew!

Quote:

Originally Posted by logcabinfran

IraJane, I think you are a genius. love the tutorial, such clear instructions. Thank You for sharing.

Thank you. I thought about doing a book or a pattern but decided it took way too much time when I could be sewing. Since I've been doing this, it gives me a whole new perspective on fabrics for borders. I seem to be drawn to stripes. I will post the pictures of doing two borders at once. I especially like that because the borders are easier to sew together before adding to the quilt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IraJane

AWESOME THANKS SEW MUCH.LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY ON HERE

Thanks for the tutorial.

Thank you for that great tutorial. I have printed it out to keep as a reference when I do my next quilt.

Thanks so much! I'm realizing my true fear wasn't fussy cutting the border, rather it was the mitering that had me on hold. Now I can continue with confidence!

ok just to make sure I'm understanding, is this right?

1) the long-side of the borders are the full 36 inches with a bias cut angle at both ends.
2) the short-side borders are 34 1/2 inches with a bias-cut angle at both ends.

Is that right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dray965 (Post 5882099)

Sorry, I didn't see your questions till just now. I only make sure the inside or shorter measurement fits the side of the quilt piece. If the square I am applying the border to is 35", then the inside distance is 34 1/2". I cut the 45 degree angles from that point, making the outside edge whatever it works out to be. The most important measurements are the inside length from point to point and making the sure the angle is 45 degrees. I've never measured the outside edge. Hope that helps.

Looks like a winning idea.

Great tute ! Now to get brave .

Your tute is awesome . Thank you sharing your method. You have changed my attitude from a "I can't do that" to one of a "I think I can".