Connie in CO

I don't see what the big deal is.Take the corner and pinch it in your fingers.Connie in CO

qbquilts

What helps me, is when I get to the 1/4" point (assuming a 1/4" seam) where I stop sewing, instead of just stopping, I sew a diagonal line to the corner. Then I lift up my foot and adjust the binding for the next side. Since I've been doing that, it has made all the difference in my corners.

JanieW

The big deal is that Blackberry's mitred corners are not working the way she would like and she is asking for help in getting them to look the way she wants.

If the binding is not sewn on a certain way, you can pinch the corners all day long and they won't mitre properly.

People shouldn't be made to feel like they are making a big deal when they ask for help. :)

barbrdunn

It looks like you are having trouble with the machine sewing on the top side. Perhaps you are attaching the binding to the back correctly but having trouble turning the corner on the top side. I just posted these pictures on another post, but maybe they will be helpful.

First I cut my binding 2 1/4 inches and press in half with lots of starch. Wetting with starch before I fold helps the fabric stick to it self before pressing and I can get a good press and a stiff binding. After attaching the binding to the back, then fold the binding to the front and place the edge right on the stitching line. I then use my "stitch in the ditch" foot and move my needle from the center position to the right slightly. That way when I run the guide on the stitching line, it catches both the front and the back of the binding equal distance from the edge. The following pictures show how I turn the corner. Hope this helps.

M.I.Late

That's exactly what I do. I don't stop, I veer off into the corner and off of the quilt entirely. When I do my fold, for the miter, I put it all the way up, bring it down (hold a pin where the fold will be and check it for completely square before I start to sew again. I start to sew again 1/4" from the top. You can feel where the needle should start there should be no bulk underneath - if there is, you're too high. Also, looking at your miters, you can see it's trying to round itself out. you're pulling that binding down too far. That's why I use the pin at the edge when I bring it back down. Hope that helps.

I don't machine stitch the second time around. I put my binding on the front and hand stitch the back down with a blind stitch. But the poster above did a nice job on the machine stitching for the binding. I'm just not that accurate and would probably miss some of the back...

Holice

it is possible that your seam allowance is not consistent in width as you approach the end of the side. This will cause distorted mitres.
Also.....as you are approaching the corner, stop about 2 stitches before you get to your 1/4", 1/2" or 3/8" or whatever your width of seam. This will allow for the fold just as the scant 1/4" will allow for fold in piecing.

qbquilts

I always blind stitch the miter on the back. I thought everyone did it, which was why I didn't mention that along with my other suggestion (to sew diagonally to the corner). Thanks for mentioning this tip.

janeknapp

I press my binding three times. First, press in half before sewing. Next, after sewing warm the seam and then press the binding toward the edge. Last, fold the binding over the edge and press again from the back side.

I cut the binding two inches wide and can still stitch-in-the-ditch from the front side and catch the binding on the back if so desired. I usually finish the binding by hand stitching, but I stitch-in-the-ditch from the front side for charity quilts.

PattyJean

I took at binding class at my local quilt shop and she showed us how to use a little tool called a perfect binding miter by Glenna. You can find one at most quilt shops for $5.00. I don't mind mitering binding any more at all, infact enjoy it. Also website www.quiltsnstuff.net

Marion Jean

This is a great tip - I'm going to try it on my next quilt. Thanks :)