the monster quilt update #2

What made is stressful? That is how I do all my borders? I don't lay it out on the floor -- I just measure at the middle -- across the quilt... and add the measurements as I go across. I don't stretch or pull it -- just gently smooth it with my hands on my ironing board.

Seems to work I guess! So far so good!

Kate in MI

Fingers crossed and holding my breath for you - and the borders

I had about an inch to ease in on each side and it's made the border look wavy I don't normally measure a border - just add and sew and it's perfect

now I have 48 hours before I have to hand this thing in and the borders are not *flat* despite pinning and spray basting I had to do a bit of serious pulling to keep things pleat-less

this is definitively a YMMV thing

I'm crossing my fingers for you, Jessamy!

It sounds to me like your borders were longer than the side of your quilt. Is that correct? If so, my next question would be....why were the borders not cut the same size as the sides of your quilt?

Having to "ease in" more fabric than needed will definitely make the borders wavy.

Laurie G. in CA

I measured across the centre as so many big name quilters tell you to and I was trying to do the best I could to make this quilt perfect for the show

so I didn't so what I normally do and that is measure the sides

thanks :D

Ah, well I hope it comes out to your liking.....I hate when that happens although my mantra is usually "It'll quilt out"!!!! Good luck with the show!

Laurie G. in CA

well it usually does :-(

thanks!

You might be ok if you block it after it's all done. Get it very damp, straighten it out on the floor to dry and then leave it until dry. Some of my worst borders have behaved wonderfully after doing this. Diane Gaudynski blocks all her quilts. I thought she wrote about it on her webpage, but I can't find it. It must be in her book.

What I usually do is measure at the 1/4 from the top -- the middle and 1/4 from the bottom. Generally -- they are pretty close -- if they are way out of whack -- you can always "average" them.

But if you just add fabric and sew... if one side is a big longer than the other

-- you could end up with one side of the quilt an inch or so different from the opposite side. For a bed quilt this wouldn't be the end of the world -- but if you plan to hang it -- it would never hang straight... you'd be unhappy for sure.

Kate in MI

There may not be time for a serious blocking - but, it may be possible to block a kick or curl with the steam iron. Don't touch, just hover. Lots of fingers crossed for you. Best of luck, Polly

This is how I do my borders too, Jessamy. I must admit that I don't know how the measure after I'm done, but they lie flat and look good. Don't know if that would pass muster at a quilt show, but that's way outta my league anyway.

I've never had that problem - I square up the sides and top bottom as I go - and have added up to 5 border and still had a straight quilt.

trimming off excess batting and backing and binding the monster did wonders :-D next time I am finishing a month in advance so I can hang it with weights to get it just *so*

next time I'm making a smaller one too - about 40 inches I think - plan is in place already and fabrics oggled - now all I have to do is get going on that while I wait for the Hoffman's challenge fabrics to come available in the shops - the pattern for that is ready and waiting down to colour placement - all I have to do is buy, cut and sew! LOL

oh I don't know - just try it - it's FUN! at least if your quilt is finished on time LOL

this is what the beginner categories are for in shows - for first time people entering a show and local shows are the way to start :-D

thanks for the tip - I did pin it on the table while keeping it just as "tight" as the rest but maybe not enough - well I will get the hang of it though I may take to using a handi quilter for larger quilts LOL