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I have never done the diagonal stitching to the corner. That seems to be a perfect way to make sure the miter will be perfect. I'm gioing to try that. Thanks for the tip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckcowl (Post 5906809)

if you are using a 1/4" seam to attach the binding to the first side- when nearing a corner stop- place a dot (pencil works) 1/4" from the corner on the binding fabric- then stitch right to that dot- stop- raise the pressure foot (with the needle down) turn the quilt so you can stitch a diagonal line off the quilt/binding...stop, cut threads, remove quilt. fold binding fabric straight up- then back down-lining up the raw edges again- start sewing the second side-starting at the 1/4" dot...continue around the quilt stopping & folding each corner-
now- when you fold the binding to the other side to stitch down when you reach a corner fold one side straight - then fold the second side forming your miter.]
try it on a small practice piece (like a pot holder) to get the hang of it

I didn't even try to miter my first 2 quilts. The 3rd one I just finished I tried it. It wasn't perfect and I started to really get frustrated, but decided that I have read so much on this board about how there aren't really any 'quilt police' and that it didn't look horrible even though not perfect. After reading these guidelines I know more of what I did wrong....which is stopping exactly with the same seam allowance you are using. I used a 1/2 inch and stopped a 1/4 inch. Not too old to keep learning something new. Never learn unless you try! The next one will be better for you.

Unfortunately all or most al binding instructions give the 1/4" seam. Very rarely do they say that if your seam is larger than 1/4" then you must stop that distance from the end. But as I said in my previous post, stopping a stitch or two before you get there will give space for the fold and makes the corner fold flatter.

I usually have 3 good corners, then 1 ucky corner. You're not alone.

I had a teacher that had a different idea with corners. Since we all don't use a 1/4 inch seam she taught us this way. It seems to work for me.
1. When you get about 2 inches from edge stop and fold a 90 degree angle with the binding. Make sure the angle is 90 degrees and either iron or finger press a crease on the angle folded edge.
2. Lay the binding straight and stop exactly where you needle reaches the crease.
3. Back stitch a few inches. Cut your threads and move the quilt away and fold the binding at the 90 degrees and then down, making sure the turned corner is exactly at top of quilt
4. start sewing again at the top edge the distance you are using.
Works every time for me. Hope this helps

Take a look at these Sharon chamber tutorials on binding using Elmer's School Glue. The one on mitering corners really helped me. Don't let the glue scare you. Try a mini quilt so that you can get the hang of it. You don't have to have the special tip. You partially open the regular bottle tip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PE0Yq9iGlc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3vHI7rgZpw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W--xgi4nux8

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z (Post 5907921)

I use Sharon's method and it works really well for me!

uou sew to 1/4 " from the end needle down now pivot sew 45% angle to the outside cut threads now turn quilt and work on side

my problem is the which direction to do the 45 degree angle for the corners to make the mitered corner. Do I angle to left or right of the corner?

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee_2000 (Post 5909141)

my problem is the which direction to do the 45 degree angle for the corners to make the mitered corner. Do I angle to left or right of the corner?

You would have to angle to the right -- sewing directly into the corner's outside point. Sewing to the left would make it impossible to cover the corner with the binding fabric.