Quiltingboard Forums - How do you cut your borders?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonpi

For big quilts, I rip them lengthwise.

I think that this is the best way to assure that the strips are straight. Just trim off the ripped edges.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlf0122quilting

I used to get wavy cuts and it was because I was not "walking" my fingers up the ruler as I cut my strips. If you only hold your ruler in one spot for the entire cut, the ruler has a tendency to shift just slightly and there will be a small wavy area where you were holding the ruler. I learned this from an instructor and I have never had that problem since. I also was instructed that you can cut WOF for sashing strips but borders should be cut LOF to prevent wavy borders. Sometimes I try it LOF if I have bought enough fabric but I do not find much difference as long as I have been careful in walking my fingers up the ruler as I cut. For the newby's, walking is like "Itsy Bitsy Spider" walking by always moving your thumb up to meet your fingers, then move your fingers forward. Another tip is to always hold your pinky finger off the edge of the ruler against the side of the ruler to steady it on the fabric. It is probably just as important that you put little dots of sand paper or Invisigrip or something like these products on the bottom of your ruler so it adheres to the fabric. These little tips saved me so much time and ruined fabric because my ruler was always sliding on the fabric when I would cut. I hope some of these tips will help you. I do not use a metal ruler only because I am fortunate enough to have the Omnigrid (and others) rulers so I do not know if these tips will help you when using the metal rulers but you might try some of them. Good luck.

I have used both sandpaper and Invisigrip. the sandpaper works just fine for me, (although it's not perfect, bc you can't see thru it), but I eventually took my Invisigrip off. I did not find it to help much and bc I use "handles" with the suction cups, I have a lg. one that was made for using on side of tub...I started doing that, before anybody sold them for that, bc one of my girls is handicapped and I had bought an extra one,...anyway, the suction caused the invisigrip to buckle. It wasn't doing it's job anyway IMHO. thanks for all the tips dlfquilting. I too, have learned to walk fingers,...anything that'll keep that sucker still. :D

for long ruler cuts i take a piece of no slip drawer liner and lay it an inch or so away from the to be cut edge onto the fabric and then lay the ruler down on top of the no slip drawer liner. This keeps the ruler from shifting when you are cutting with one hand and holding the ruler down with the other.'
I try not to buy crap from CHINA, but the $1 store carries this so I can cut sizes to match all my rulers. IF you have a long metal ruler you can spray glue the drawer liner to the bottom of the ruler and save a step.

I was told to cut your border material the length of your material not across the width. Apparently there is less 'give' to the length so you end up with flatter borders. This is the first quilt I've done it with and so far they do look flat. I'll let you know once it is quilted. Barb

I was also taught not to piece borders (back in 1982), so I go out of my way to purchase extra length to avoid piecing...though on rare occasions, it has been necessary. When that happens, I usually try to find a creative idea to insert in the border (like blocks the width of the border) that enhance the appearance of the quilt. I would NEVER cut long borders from selvage to selvage and piece them. With large quilts, I also fold the fabric and make one cut to remove the selvage and then another one for each section of border. I have never had a problem with waviness. Maybe it would help to press the folded fabric before making the cuts. Spray starch or sizing on the fabric could help too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb in calif

I have some of this in sewing room. going to try it tomorrow fer sure! thanks eb in calif. :)

The most fun I had with a border was to make 1/2 sq triangles. Use a tone on tone white or tan for one half and then cut up all thoes charm squares you 've aquired. Be sure to also use some pieces from the body of the top.

Your finished product will improve if you cut crosswise and piece the borders. The reason is because there is no give in the fabric when cutting lengthwise but there is a slight give side to side.

If you have a bit longer on one side than the other be sure you average the length and cut both sides the same and make them fit. Whichever piece is the longer one needs to be put on the bottom so the feeds will ease the excess in without tucks. Divide up the side of the quilt in fourths and the border as well. Match the points. With longer side down sew.

Good luck

i do the diaginal cuton my fabric to .it seemsso much simpler to me .my grandmother used to fold the back of th quilt over to to front an make that her selavage but she also used a sheet for her backs of her quilts .the only way i use a sheet for the back of my quilt is if it is high qulity sheet not a cheepy from walmart.i have picked up a few at the good will that are the higher thread count.an make a betufil backing .matter of a fact i have one i have not used because of the qulity of the thread count in it .it's like a very fine linnen.i want to put it on a very special quilt like on i'm getting good money for our one that i'm going to put on myveryon bed.

iputit on the bottom of sewing feet so i dont have to chase across the room an on serger feet to.an for a asortment of fabric i get the ones from the carpet an apolsterey material. an get a real good asortment from my aunt for free. can't beat that all i have to do is make sure theres gas in car. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)