Tartan

I figured I would be fine to carefully sew on my last 2 borders. I laid it out on the floor and my borders were bad.[ATTACH=CONFIG]603303[/ATTACH]

bearisgray

I think you know what to do - unappealing as the idea is - - - -

Tartan

I picked off my borders, measured the quilt center( what I should have done in the first place) chalked a line and pinned the top and bottom of the border to the quilt top. I pinched up the extra quilt top in the center and pinned it the the center border. I then equally distributed the extra quilt top on both sides of the center and put in lots of pins. I sewed with the quilt top on top because the feed dogs would not ease in about 2 inches of extra fabric. I swept the quilt top towards the foot as I sewed with a straight pin just short of making a pleat. Voila, the borders lay perfectly flat now and this is how much I was able to ease using this method.[ATTACH=CONFIG]603309[/ATTACH]

Maggie_Sue

Well done!!!

bearisgray

I usually measure the "center" in three places - take an average of the three numbers (if there is a huge discrepancy between the numbers, there is a problem that needs to be addressed!)

I fold the top into halves, quarters, and then into eighths - and pin or put a chalk mark on the edge.

I usually cut the border "a bit" longer - hardly ever "exact length" - mark off the "length that matches the top" on the borders - I leave a bit "extra" on both ends - just in case - sometimes I need that extra little bit - and then divide the "length that matches the top" into segments.

Then I match up the segments. It's a lot easier to only have to deal with easing in a one to two foot stretch than worrying about the whole side.

This usually works for me.

rryder

Thanks for the explanation Tartan and for the diagram Bearisgray- very helpful.

Rob

Onebyone

I cut my borders to fit after I sew them on. If there is a small wave I ease the fullness to the seam and press the fullness fold to the seam and since I quilt my quilts myself I put a dab of glue on it to hold and the quilting always hold it down. No one can tell and not even the fair judges who examine them up close.

Cheshirepat

Bearisgray, I could have used that diagram and explanation a few months back. I was close to tears trying to figure out a fairly wonky border job on one of my quilts! This is perfectly clear, and reasonable, thanks!

Rhonda K

Great job with the re-do. Glad you were able to fix them.

I stay-stitch using a 2.0 stitch length along each quilt edge and each border edge. Give both another press. Then mark and pin as described by bearisgray.

Stitch both together. The extra stay-stitching prevents the fabrics from stretching as they go through the feed dogs and presser foot. It takes less than 5 more minutes to stay-stitch.

Jingle

Measuring through the center keeps that from happening. I use one strip then use that strip to measure against the border for other side. Do the top and bottom the same way.