One more little bloggie before I am off to Minnesota. While daughter J. was here I came across a top in my closet that I did two years ago. It needed a border, but never got it. So it hung in the closet jammed between other unfinished works. After I brought it out to see the light of day again, I decided I really liked it and so I put on the previously planned red border. Then it looked boring. I messed around on EQ and like the simplist border the best. Yay! So I added two inch strips of various colors around the red border. They ranged in length between five inches and seven inches. Now I love it again. Funny how just a simple little detail can add so much. As I was attaching borders I realized that sewing those big lengths together is my least favorite part. I always worry that it will ruffle or not hang flat. I am so careful, but it is always a concern. I always try to cut border strips on the vertical grain line for less stretching. You need to buy extra fabric to do this, but it is worth it to me. As I cut the small strips for the border, I made an effort to cut them on the vertical grain line also. This method is one that I like to pass along when I am teaching. Probably most of you are already well aware of the difference the grain line can make, but since it was on my mind, I thought I would pass it along. I got a backing together and that baby is off to the quilters! I admire so many of you and the fine work you do with your machine quilting. That is not my thing, so let me tell you that your work is greatly appreciated by those of us who love to piece the tops and need you to bring them to life! In the photo you will see my wonderful quilter! She is working on someone elses quilt, but I let her do that sometimes.
8 comments:
I hate doing borders too!!!
Borders and binding are the worst part to me too---the tops is heavy and hard to handle and tries to pull every which way while you attach that last bit. UGH.
In a nutshell, I am ready to move on!
I'm so glad you clarified that she is working on someone elses quilt... I was trying to "find" the border you described... Is sounds suspiciously like the one I am about to undertake. Except some of my lengths will be longer...
Where are you going in Minnesota? We're moving to Minneapolis in Nov or Dec so I'm curious.
Minnesota, huh? As a former Minnesotan I'm always curious as to why people visit there. Are you from there?
As for borders, I haven't decided it I like them or not. I haven't made anything but plain borders so I guess I need to make some different ones so I can decide if I like them or not.
Thanks for the border tip. I don't like putting them on either-I'm always worried about them ruffling or waving at me when I have them on the machine.
Just like Calico Cat, I was looking at the picture searching for that red border!
Hi
Just a hint to stop wavy borders. Measure through the center of your borderless top. Cut border that length. Divide top and border into 4 and place a pin, now match the top and border pins - easing and stretching where or if necessary. This totally squares up your top and your borders are wavelss.
Good Luck
Pat
That's a nice quilt she's got on the frame there too. :)
I too dislike sewing the long edges on for borders - especially since the quilt police have told me that it's better not to have a seam in a long border - that's why I make so many pieced borders!
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