HELP Binding is wonky
03-17-2012, 05:55 AM
#1
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HELP Binding is wonky
Got my latest quilt all pieced together but when I added the binding (2 of them) the edges ended up being a little wonky (wavy). Not a lot but enough that I ended up taking them off & starting fresh. What could I be doing wrong? Would love some help.
03-17-2012, 06:28 AM
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03-17-2012, 07:02 AM
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Sounds like you are really talking about borders. If so, the reason they are wonky is probably because you just added strips to the sides by laying the border fabric to each side. The way to stop that is:
1. Measure both the horizontal and vertical sides in the middle and at both edges
2. Take the shortest measurement for horizontal and vertical and cut the border strips to the size.
3. Sew on to the edges easing in the border to fit
4. If you are adding 2 borders, make the 2 strips a unit and then attach as one border, each the same length.
Hopefully I've explained clearly....By the way, if your quilt top (before borders) measurements are way off you need to square the quilt top before starting this procedure of adding borders. You can ease in up around 1/2 - 3/4 an inch easily but if it's inches off this won't work.
1. Measure both the horizontal and vertical sides in the middle and at both edges
2. Take the shortest measurement for horizontal and vertical and cut the border strips to the size.
3. Sew on to the edges easing in the border to fit
4. If you are adding 2 borders, make the 2 strips a unit and then attach as one border, each the same length.
Hopefully I've explained clearly....By the way, if your quilt top (before borders) measurements are way off you need to square the quilt top before starting this procedure of adding borders. You can ease in up around 1/2 - 3/4 an inch easily but if it's inches off this won't work.
03-17-2012, 12:30 PM
#6
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Ok, I had a brain freeze !! Yes, I meant borders & not binding. I am working on borders but thinking ahead of how I will do the binding so I had a senior moment. Tks for the heads up.
03-17-2012, 12:34 PM
#7
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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Sounds like you are really talking about borders. If so, the reason they are wonky is probably because you just added strips to the sides by laying the border fabric to each side. The way to stop that is:
1. Measure both the horizontal and vertical sides in the middle and at both edges
2. Take the shortest measurement for horizontal and vertical and cut the border strips to the size.
3. Sew on to the edges easing in the border to fit
4. If you are adding 2 borders, make the 2 strips a unit and then attach as one border, each the same length.
Hopefully I've explained clearly....By the way, if your quilt top (before borders) measurements are way off you need to square the quilt top before starting this procedure of adding borders. You can ease in up around 1/2 - 3/4 an inch easily but if it's inches off this won't work.
1. Measure both the horizontal and vertical sides in the middle and at both edges
2. Take the shortest measurement for horizontal and vertical and cut the border strips to the size.
3. Sew on to the edges easing in the border to fit
4. If you are adding 2 borders, make the 2 strips a unit and then attach as one border, each the same length.
Hopefully I've explained clearly....By the way, if your quilt top (before borders) measurements are way off you need to square the quilt top before starting this procedure of adding borders. You can ease in up around 1/2 - 3/4 an inch easily but if it's inches off this won't work.
03-17-2012, 12:35 PM
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03-17-2012, 12:47 PM
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So you add borders after you have quilted?(Can you tell I am new) I have a pattern (that I haven't tried yet) that said to add the borders and then quilt as desired. I tried this with just a placemat but the edges are wavy. I added the borders first then FM the inside.....the border is an inch wide and I didn't FM quilt the border.
03-17-2012, 03:20 PM
#10
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Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
When working with borders is is far more likey to have them go wonky .. if you are using cross -cut/grain fabric. The cross cut stretches. Lenghtwise grain has very little stretch. The problem will magnify the wider the borders when using cross cut. There are times when I just can not bring myself to use lenghtwise , particulary for a skinny border. In those instances I starch the ..heck out of the fabric prior to cutting. I then pin the border(s) while the top is laying completely flat so I do not inadvertantly stretch while attaching.
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