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Thread: I should know the answer to this but

  1. #1
    Louise is offline Senior Member
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    Default I should know the answer to this but

    Why is it is important to measure the middle of the quilt when measuring for the borders for the life of me I can't remember why isn't easier tho just start on one side and move to the others?

  2. #2
    Claire Hallman's Avatar Claire Hallman is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: I should know the answer to this but

    The edges can stretch and the center end up being smaller. If you make the borders the size of the stretched edges it will continue to get bigger and end up with wavy edges/borders.
    I use the border fabric strip themselves and cut to the same size as the center then ease the edges putting the larger one against the feed dogs while being sewn. So far no wavy edges and fairly square quilts.
    GinnyKNC likes this.

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    quiltsRfun's Avatar quiltsRfun is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: I should know the answer to this but

    Quote Originally Posted by Claire Hallman View Post
    The edges can stretch and the center end up being smaller. If you make the borders the size of the stretched edges it will continue to get bigger and end up with wavy edges/borders.
    I use the border fabric strip themselves and cut to the same size as the center then ease the edges putting the larger one against the feed dogs while being sewn. So far no wavy edges and fairly square quilts.
    Also, sometimes one side will be slightly (or more) longer than the other. By measuring through the middle and easing in if necessary your quilt will be more square.

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    easyquilts's Avatar easyquilts is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: I should know the answer to this but

    Quote Originally Posted by Claire Hallman View Post
    The edges can stretch and the center end up being smaller. If you make the borders the size of the stretched edges it will continue to get bigger and end up with wavy edges/borders.
    I use the border fabric strip themselves and cut to the same size as the center then ease the edges putting the larger one against the feed dogs while being sewn. So far no wavy edges and fairly square quilts.
    I do the same thing.... Much better than measuring....


    Sandy from Cincinnati


    AKA Kermit

  5. #5
    Pattycake is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: I should know the answer to this but

    I was taught to measure the top, bottom and middle and then use the average of those 3 measurements to cut the borders.
    bubba likes this.

  6. #6
    Bubby's Avatar Bubby is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: I should know the answer to this but

    I use the center measurement for my borders and they turn out nice and flat and even. I cut my border strips extra long. Then I fold my quilt in half lengthwise and I lay a strip of the border along the fold and mark both ends and cut two border pieces. I sew the border strips on the long edges of my quilt, press and trim and then fold the quilt in half the other way. I lay two more border strips along the new fold and mark both ends and cut and sew. I match the center point of my quilt edges with the center point of each border strip to make sure I get the border on evenly. This technique is so simple and I don't have to measure the length of the border strips. It also allows me to use my bed and I don't have to crawl around on my hands and knees on the floor.

  7. #7
    Vonnie is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: I should know the answer to this but

    You might find this interesting: Border Hints and Tricks

    Like the others, I measure through the center using Bonnie's method.
    Vonnie

  8. #8
    Oleg's Avatar Oleg is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: I should know the answer to this but

    I use the link below as my reference for making borders. You want your borders to lay flat, and your center not to balloon up when being quilted. I follow her instructions and only make my borders from the length of the center measurement. And I don't even measure; I just pin my border strip down the center of the quilt top (make 2) then sew them to the sides. Of course, I pin together the middles, quarters, eighth, and so on to ensure a good seam. If one seems looser than the other, that's the one that goes down against the feed dogs when sewing. My borders look pretty good!
    Border Hints and Tricks

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