Final Borders Assy Question

I do it your way. But, I didn't learn that from anybody, I just figured it out as you did as to length of binding.

John

Tw> Ok friends, I'm at a loss here. I'm turning to the group to see what ya'll

For wall hangings... I usually do the sides first.... then the top and bottom so that I have one solid piece across the top to support the weight of the quilt.

For quilts -- it really varies. I guess I never learned there was a "right" way. To eliminate seaming the borders as much as possible -- I frequently to Top and Bottom first. Then again -- I've probably mitered more than I've done straight borders...

As long as you don't ONLY measure the edge of your quilt to determine border length (if you only measure once -- measure across the center). I usually measure in 3 places -- at 1/4... 1/2...and 3/4 then add those numbers together and divide by 3 to get the average. It's amazing how sometimes.... you can get 3 different numbers! AACK!!! By getting the average to determine your border length -- you can then ease the edges to ensure a square finish.

FYI ... I pin the border on first the corners (and about 6 inches in from the corners), then at the midpoint (and a pin about 3" on either side of the midpoint) then I continue pinning... in the middle -- between the pins over and over till the entire border is pinned. Does that make sense? That way any easing is spread throughout the length of the border... and not just in one location.

Not sure I was much help... but again... it is nice that there are no quilt police! LOL

For some reason my quilts often end up square, don't ask me why, I don't know myself, but the vast majority have! When it's not square I go with which ever makes best use of fabric, because for me that usually overrides the final purpose of the quilt. Is this the store sample you mentioned in your other post? if so, can you have the shop owner do it one way and you the other, then you can get a comparison and you'll know for future which you prefer.

Cheers Anne

Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia

My quilts, crafts, QIs, and more -

I learned to do it like you Lorraine. I was told that it felt more like it was capped off if the top and bottom were the last two borders. I'm not sure why, but that's how I view it even now. That it's "finished" with the top done last. The other way, it feels like the sides aren't "contained". Just my warped view based on something I read or was told long ago. If it's not square, then you don't have as long a piece for the side if you do those first when you do it our way.

For goodness sake, I had no idea that it mattered. I usually do mine for economy of fabric too. While we're here though, how do you go about measuring something like 100" accurately? I can see the need and borrow DH's metal wind-up sort of tape or use his long metal ruler plus my yardstick. Still, I wonder if someone's perfected the challenge. Polly

I have a fold out banquet table that I use for pinning quilts so if I am to borders I am close enough to pull that out and use it while measuring. I have a nice metal yard stick I use for measuring borders and pin each 36" segment carefully. I also use mom's little 12' Stanley tape measure that dad gave me. I like to use that for any occasion I can cause of the sentimental ties. The yardstick really works best for me measuring borders though. I'd surely like to hear a perfected method though. Taria

Polly Esther wrote:

I've said this before, but for borders I "measure" with the untrimmed border fabric piece. I stretch (well not stretch, but you know what I mean) the fabric through the middle and mark where to trim it for the measurement. Then I cut the other border from the first one....or use the top again...whatever is easiest. Works really well.

I have a cloth/plastic coated/whatever measuring tape that's 120 in. long. That is a great tool for measuring borders. But, that said, I usually fold the fabric in half and cut a 100 in. border at 50 in. from the fold.

Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

Well, golly, Kathyl. Why didn't I think of that? Well, we know why. Nevermind. The truth is, the number of inches isn't important - it is having the measurement right. You are just so smart. Thank you. Polly

Depends on the design of the quilt! I've done both ways. And, I've used cornerstones and mitred corners too. There are NO quilt police.

Happy quilting,

Lenore

Howdy!

when I add borders...

R/Sandy

That's pretty much the way I do it, too. I fold my quilt in half, then in half again, so the center of the quilt is aligned with the edges. Then I measure my border pieces against that. I guess my piecing must be pretty accurate, because there is seldom any difference between the two sides and the center. Of course, I cut the borders for the two sides exactly the same length. I sew those two borders on and repeat the process for the other two sides.

Julia in MN

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KJ wrote:

I almost always do the longer sides first because the longest pieces won't be quite so long. I might do it the other way if I think it will eliminate some seams in the border (because I almost always cut my borders on the cross grain and so they are usually pieced.)

Julia in MN

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Tw> Ok friends, I'm at a loss here. I'm turning to the group to see what ya'll

Hey! Great minds think alike!! I haven't "measured" a border in ages - just layout the borders (with a little extra length for insurance) across the top, fold ¼, ½ & ¾ registration marks and I'm off to the machine. Do I really care if it's 100½ of 99¾? I do measure through the middles though, just to check for square. Also, I don't "really" check the measure of the ends. Again, I just fold the ends to the middle and see if they are within reason. So far, everything has been really flat and square this way. Any little smidges work their way out and the outer ends are all even and straight.

Lorraine in WA

Since I like to cut my borders on the lengthwise grain so I don't have seams across them, and they help stabilize the quilt, I am with you. I generally do sides, then top/bottom. Of course sometimes I put in cornerstones and then you can't tell. I think it is also easier to work the the shorter lengths. BTW, in EQ they have both options available, so I don't think there is really a "right" and a "wrong" way, just two different options.

Pati, > Ok friends, I'm at a loss here. I'm turning to the group to see what ya'll

I'm a rebel, Polly. I don't measure with a tape, even though I do have a 120" tape measure. I measure the border against the middle of the quilt top. If it is large I have been known to fold the top in half, and fold the border in half too to get accurate measurements. That way I don't make a mistake transferring numbers from one to the other. (It has been known to happen. sigh. Especially if I am tired/excited/in a push to finish.) I also cut both borders at the same time to be sure they are exactly the same size.

Pati, > For goodness sake, I had no idea that it mattered. I usually do mine for

Kathyl: Your method is how my Quilts of Valor Bee usually does the borders of our QoV. This seems to work nicely, especially since we rotate meeting places and do not always have the same rulers available.

When I work alone, I often measure with paper rolls from adding machines (cash register tape works too.) I use it in manner similar to what you describe. There is NO flex in the paper, so this is very accurate.

PAT in VA/USA