How do you measure fabric for borders

[Quiltfreestyle]

Hello all
Here is something I always struggle with & I thought "what better place to get a definitive answer than this Forum"?
What's the best way to measure the long pieces needed for my borders?
I don't have much trouble on small quilts, just lay out the fabric on the dining room table, measure & cut. But when I make big quilts for beds it's a real hassle. I tried just using an oversized strip & pinning & sewing it on, then cutting off the excess. Problem is sometimes the border doesn't lay flat...
Can anyone tell me what works for them??

Thanks for any help you can give me

[soul60s]

The Ultimate Quilt Binding Tutorial | Always Great, Always Free Quilting Tutorials

http://quiltingtutorials.com/all/bin...g-tips-tricks/

maybe this will help.

[Vonnie]

I do it the way Bonnie over at Quiltville does it: Border Hints and Tricks

That's where I learned it from and never have a problem with wavy borders and the best thing is there is no math involved!

[Spiff]

What Vonnie mentions above is how I was taught at the classes I took. Lay two strips down the center of the quilt and cut off at the bottom. When you do the top - lay across the middle and cut the two at the same time. Then ease or stretch a little as you sew them on.

[MRoy]

I added borders to a wall hanging this morning using this method. It worked very well..

I do it the way Bonnie over at Quiltville does it: Border Hints and Tricks

That's where I learned it from and never have a problem with wavy borders and the best thing is there is no math involved!

[bubba]

I measure across each end as well as the middle, add together then divide by three. Match up the centers, etc and sew. That is how I was taught and mine turn out fine.

[madampolo]

I have never understood the logic behind measuring in three places, cutting, and then sewing. What confuses me is that for mitered quilts, you must cut your border longer than the top. I lay my quilt out on the floor and unfold fabric until it is longer than the quilt top. I mark that length, then cut off, then carefully fold and cut the width of my border. Only one time did my border turn out a bit wavy was when I put a black piping between the border and the quilt top. I couldn't quilt across the piping, so my border didn't get stitched down with quilting stitches. What I worry more is working with bias fabric, especially when it is on the edge of the quilt. I've got some pretty good waves then.

[bubba]

I don't understand it either!!!! It was how I was taught, and I questioned about it, but still didn't understand the why's of it, but it works, so that is how I do it!!! Since I have never done mitered corners, I know nothing about that.....

[GinnyKNC]

I have never understood the logic behind measuring in three places, cutting, and then sewing. What confuses me is that for mitered quilts, you must cut your border longer than the top. I lay my quilt out on the floor and unfold fabric until it is longer than the quilt top. I mark that length, then cut off, then carefully fold and cut the width of my border. Only one time did my border turn out a bit wavy was when I put a black piping between the border and the quilt top. I couldn't quilt across the piping, so my border didn't get stitched down with quilting stitches. What I worry more is working with bias fabric, especially when it is on the edge of the quilt. I've got some pretty good waves then.

I've been using this mitered border tool and it works great! Have you tried it?
Quick Easy Border Mitering Tools - Quilting - Rulers & Templates - Supplies - Nancy's Notions

[Quiltfreestyle]

Thanks all
I get the part about measuring in three places, it makes good sense to me. I guess I'll need to find floor space big enough to lay out my quilts flat, somewhere where the dog can't curl up on them LOL

I'll check out the links tonight when I get home.