Our Exemplary Quilt
Our exemplary quilt is shown to the right. We need to attach borders to the quilt’s center. We have marked the
-
Top C,
-
Bottom D,
-
Side A, and
-
Side B.
Note that the side borders only extend from one end of the quilt’s center to the other, while the top and bottom borders extend across the quilt’s center as well as across the two side borders. This implies that the side borders are attached first, before the top and bottom borders.
The Side Borders
We will attach the side borders first.
1. Lay the quilt center out, flat.
2. Measure your quilt’s length along one side: A_______
3. Measure your quilt’s length along the other side: B:______
4. Take the average, X, of the two lengths: (A_____+ B_____) / 2 = X______ [add the two sides and divide by 2].
Note: The difference between the two measurements should be a half inch or less. Any larger difference means that the quilt is not square and any method of applying borders will result in less than satisfactory results and the center will have to be squared.
5. Measure the two border strips, Y, to be two inches larger than the average length, above [X_____ + 2 = Y_____].
6. Cut the two border strips to the adjusted, average size [Y]
.
7. Mark each border 1” from the end on the wrong side of the fabric.
8. Align the marks with the edge of the center of the quilt and pin the border to the quilt’s center at the end of the centers.
9. Pin the borders appropriately [about 3” apart] to keep the borders in place.
10. Sew the borders onto the quilt. If the fabric is bunching at the next pin, then you are not keeping the fabrics together as they go through the feed dogs and you may need to pin closer together.
11. Press the border seams towards the darker of the fabrics.
12. With a square template/ruler, cut the borders flush with the edge of the quilt.
The Top And Bottom Borders
The technique for applying the top and bottom borders is basically the same as for the side borders. The exception is that both the top and bottom borders cover the quilt’s center plus the side borders.
1. Lay out the quilt’s center with the two side borders so that it lays flat.
2. Measure your quilt’s width [including side borders] along the top: C_______
3. Measure your quilt’s width along the bottom: D:____
4. Take the average, Z, of the two widths: (C_____+ D_____) / 2 = Z______ [add the top and the bottom and divide by 2].
Note: The difference between the two measurements should be a half inch or less.
5. Measure the two border strips to be two inches larger than the average width, above [Z_____ + 2 = W_____].
6. Cut the two border strips to the adjusted average width, W.
7. Mark each border 1” from the end on the wrong side of the fabric.
8. Align the marks with the outer edge of the side borders of the quilt and pin the border to the quilt at the ends.
9. Pin the borders appropriately [about 3” apart] to keep the borders in place.
10. Sew the borders onto the quilt. If the fabric is bunching at the next pin, then you are not keeping the fabrics together as they go through the feed dogs and you may need to pin closer together.
11. Press the border seams towards the darker of the fabrics [border or quilt’s center].
12. With a square template/ruler, cut the borders flush with the edge of the quilt.
You are now ready to take or send your quilt top to Forever In Stitches for professional or DIY longarming.
