alisonquilts

Hi Y'all,

I always seem to put a couple of borders on quilts, sometimes more. I almost always mitre them (I'm a mitre martyr), and thus far I have always applied them singly - first one border strip, then the next, then a break to eat chocolate, then the next...

My question: is it reasonable to sew the strips for the border together and apply it all as one unit? I have this strong feeling that I have read in Knowledgeable Books that this is not a great idea, but I don't remember why, and (of course) I can't find that particular Knowledgeable Book right now.

I would love to hear opinions both for and against, and while I know there are no Quilt Police if there is a good reason to avoid a particular technique I would like to hear it!

Thanks,
Alison

GEMRM

When I took my beginning quilt class, we were shown how to do a mitred border and I think we were told then that you can do it either way. Personally - with my luck the individual borders wouldn't line up!

QuiltnNan

i believe that if you sew strips to add all borders at once, you will be using more fabric. all the strips will be as long at the outermost border... unless you take the time to 'step' your strips.

PaperPrincess

You have to do something with the corners, either miter them or use a block in the corner.

Tartan

I always sew my borders together and then add them to the quilt. I find if I add multiple borders one at a time, I get wavy borders. Do what works for you.

QuiltE

Doing them all at once is the way to go ..... like applying one border!
Plus it lets you have one straight (well, that would be a 45° angle) seam,
and get all the joins to line up in one sewing.

You do not need to use any more fabric than doing them individually.
Just stagger add-ons enough to allow for the 45° seam.

Look forward to seeing what you are making!

Fuzzykittenbutt

I've done it this way before too, was much easier and so much faster. I also agree with QuiltE that the end result looks more polished due to the one continuous mitre seam sewed all at once.

ckcowl

I too miter my borders frequently--- I do join multiple borders together- then add them as one unit to the quilt- my miters come out much better this way- just press 2 of them in one direction- then the other 2 in the opposite direction- the ones added to the sides pressed in one direction- the borders added to the top & bottom the opposite direction- then when you fold them together to form your miter you can nest the seams -- they come out perfectly- and much less work. a great way to go!

NJ Quilter

When mitering multiple borders I always add them as one unit. Much easier to get the miter to work! Go for it.

alisonquilts

Thanks for the answers! I don't usually have a problem lining up the mitres in my multiple borders....but it takes so loooooong adding them sequentially, thatI think I will try doing them as one unit this time!

Alison