SewFun

I think I know, but.....when making a border with mitered corners, how do I figure the length of the border? Thanks, I always appreciate the helpful answers.

AVFD215

I always refer to the Jenny Beyer tut on her web page.
Mike

MadQuilter

You have to add the length of the border across the center plus 2x the width of the border. I generally add a little extra - just in case. I can always trim.

QuiltnNan

this is the way I figure it too

dunster

I don't usually mitre my borders. But if I did, I would use the Jenny Beyer method. If the border is not cut precisely to the right length before sewing, don't you run the danger of wavy borders?

Deb watkins

The easiest way to figure out mitered corners for borders is to take the border strip, fold it 45 degrees and add another 1/2 inch. Works every time for me!

MadQuilter

Good point. I ALWAYS figure the exact length for the main piece and mark it. The "approximate" overhang is used for just the mitered part. It is (as you said) very important to use the proper length and avoid waves.

AudreyB

I agree with MadQuilter.
For the sides: the length of the quilt plus twice the width of the border plus 1".
For the top and bottom: the width of the quilt plus twice the width of the border plus 1"

When you center the border you will have some extra on each end. This extra on each end needs to be the width of the border plus a little for seam allowance and cushion.

d.rickman

This is how I do my Mitered corners. Do a sample yourself, so you understand the process - see attached picture as well.

Easy Peasy Mitered corners - Perfect every time.....No Measuring required,

Place your intended top bordermitering fabricon the top of your bottom or side border fabric, (ie., the border fabrics will cross over one another at the corner)

1. At thefarest side away from the quilt – there will be a corner where your borders - where the two fabrics intersect, now with your scissors make atiny snipin your fabrics at that point “/”, snipping both top and bottom fabrics at an angle (on the right hand side) then on the left side of your quilt make a snip in the other direction “\” .

2. From thecorner point of your quilt (where you will be adding your miteringmake a mark on the top and bottom fabrics, orplace a pin on both fabrics.

3. Nowmatch up the pin to the snipandleave 1/4 inchfrom your intended sewing line as seam allowance.Draw a linefrom the pin to the snip (diagonally on the reverse side of your fabric - this is your sewing line) be certain as you will be cutting off the excess fabric.


4. Check twice before you make your final cut.....therefore, summary of steps

1. place fabricone over the other, atoutside corner- cut tiny snip at point of outside intersection where fabrics meet ,

2. insert apin on fabrics at quilt cornerwhere your seam for mitered corner starts,draw sewing line, from quilt corner to snip on fabricsto be mitered
- this will be your sewing line.

(NOTE:REMEMBER TO leave 1/4 inch AWAY FROM THE DRAWN SEWING LINE -this is your cutting line) When you are starting to sew your seam for your mitered corner , be sure to start 1/4 inch from the edge at the quilt corner of the fabric where you have it attached to your quilt.

then cut off excess fabric...and sew up seam.Easy Peasy Mitered corners - Perfect every time.....No Measuring required,

Place your intended top border mitering fabric on the top of your bottom or side border fabric, (ie., the border fabrics will cross over one another at the corner)

1. At the farest side away from the quilt – there will be a corner where your borders - where the two fabrics intersect, now with your scissors make a tiny snip in your fabrics at that point “/”, snipping both top and bottom fabrics at an angle (on the right hand side) then on the left side of your quilt make a snip in the other direction “\” .

2. From the corner point of your quilt (where you will be adding your mitering make a mark on the top and bottom fabrics, or place a pin on both fabrics.

3. Now match up the pin to the snip and leave 1/4 inch from your intended sewing line as seam allowance. Draw a line from the pin to the snip (diagonally on the reverse side of your fabric - this is your sewing line) be certain as you will be cutting off the excess fabric.


4. Check twice before you make your final cut.....therefore, summary of steps

1. place fabric one over the other , at outside corner - cut tiny snip at point of outside intersection where fabrics meet ,

2. insert a pin on fabrics at quilt cornerwhere your seam for mitered corner starts, draw sewing line, from quilt corner to snip on fabrics to be mitered
- this will be your sewing line.

(NOTE: REMEMBER TO leave 1/4 inch AWAY FROM THE DRAWN SEWING LINE -this is your cutting line) When you are starting to sew your seam for your mitered corner , be sure to start 1/4 inch from the edge at the quilt corner of the fabric where you have it attached to your quilt.

then cut off excess fabric...and sew up seam.

I believe I repeated the steps tooooo many times, apologies. I have a new MacBook Pro, and just learning how to use the new technology - another learning curve.

d.rickman

[ATTACH=CONFIG]581743[/ATTACH] See the right hand top side to see where to make your snip and angle your ruler to a 45 degree
and draw a line to the quilt top corner - that will be your sewing line.