cmierley

I was thinking the same thing Kitsie.

117becca

i measure - alot - and pin to keep things from shifting.

bearisgray

If the length of the strip with the cornerstones is " right" before i start sewing it to the top -

I divide the lengths of the top and border strips into eighths - and then mark those intervals.
Then I match up the marks and pin. It is a lot easier for me to keep shorter lengths matched up than the whole length.

That extra step has helped me to get things to come out even more often.

toverly

I think it has to do with 1/4" seams and pins. I recently made an Irish chain and had difficulty with the snowball like blocks because I sewed with a scant seam that made my "strips" about a 1/16 to 1/8" too long. Also, if you by chance aren't using the thinner longer quilting pins, your pins may be taking to much of a "bite" out of the fabric.

solstice3

Looks great! Nice fabric

lclang

I divide my border and my quilt top in fourths, pinning at those points and then pin the border to the quilt top, matching those pins. Add more pins in between and you should have no trouble. Your feed dogs can make the difference because they pull the fabric through at a faster rate than the top piece of fabric. Or better yet, if you have one, use a walking foot.

Boston1954

I have only done cornerstones one or two times. I found that I had to pin just about every other inch, but it came out okay.

bigsister63

Where are you measuring the length of the borders. You should be measuring at the center of the top and maybe either side to get the length of the borders. This is the measurement that you should use for the borders. If you are adding cornerstones then make the main border smaller by the width of the other border for the cornerstone. Just measure the width of the inside of the top not including the side borders. Then add the cornerstone that is the width of the border. this should fit the top.

You should not just sew the borders to the side of the top and then cut off the excess border since te sides of the top may stretch and each side of the top may be different.

To add borders- Measure the INSIDE of the top and cut both borders the same length using this measurement. Fold the border and the top in half and quarters and then pin these sections together. If ther is a difference then ease the extra fabric into the other top/border. This method assures that the quilt will be even on the sides. should prevent wavy borders.

tessagin

Going to make note of all these tips. Love this board.

cpfrog

A problem with excess fabric, even after measuring, might be if strip lengths are cut WOF where there is more stretch in the weft as opposed to Length Of Fabric where the warp is taut.

When I add borders or sashings with or without cornerstones, I consider what should be (if there are 12 inch finished blocks plus "x" number of sashings each of "y" inches width) and then measure what I've got. Hopefully they are exact (Haha) or within a 1/2 inch. I, too, pin like crazy, but divide and mark the quilt in half and then in half again (fourths) as well as mark the added strip (sashing or border) so that the marks (fourths) match before I sew. If there is any fudging to do I can adjust by slightly tugging/stretching the quilt or strip. Measuring and marking and pinning at the corner fabrics also helps. It takes a bit of extra time, but well worth it!

I hope that all makes sense.

Good luck.