DAY 9- TAPE MEASURES…
I really LOVE my tape measures…I am using it all the time…I carry a small one in my purse…you never know when you need to know the size of anything! I also know you probably already have one of these or you have a serveral tapes…that we have to constantly wind/roll up…My pet peeve is when I can’t find my measuring tape…where did I last use it?..Now I have a special place for all of my tapes…
These two tapes are very reasonably priced on SALE HERE for $7.50 for both…we ordered LOTS of them to get a great deal, and they have our PG name on them…how sweet!!!…The small red one is a 60″ retractable tape and this is the one I carry in my purse…Then large grey/purple retractable one is the work horse it is 120″ long, a nice sturdy tape…This is the one that is responsible for perfect borders…so your machine quilter is not crying when she gets your quilt because you never measured your quilt before you put the border on…Maybe you just cut it like the directions stated and put it on……some of you will NOT even pin it on…some will just start sewing and when you some to the end just cut the remaining off!…I pray that you were taught better or have figured out over the years how to put borders on correctly…If a machine quilter has turned down quilting for you after she has done a quilt or two of yours…this possibly could be the reason…If she is honest/caring long-armer she may even tell you that you need to work on how to put your borders on and show you…so she can continue to quilt for you. Wavy borders are a long-armers nightmare…Just being frank here, not trying to be harsh or hurt anyones feelings…just want to give you good information to be great quilters!!! When your blocks and quilts are going together that makes a Happy Quilter!!! I don’t ever want to settle for the T-shirt I saw…”I sew…therefor, I swear!” No!…you just don’t know all the tricks or the right way to do somethings!!!
PROPER WAY TO STITCH A BORDER ON: You MEASURE your quilt in at least 3 spots to see what it measures. (if you are putting side borders on you measure from the top to the bottom in 3 or more spots) Then you take the average measurement..cut your borders to THAT size. (not the size on the pattern) Pin the border at the center of the border to the center of the quilt, again don’t just assume you know where the center of your quilt is..if it is 8 blocks long it may not be exactly at the 4&5 blocks, it could be slightly off. Pin the ends and then pin in-between. Then stitch the border on…If you have a little more fullness in the border or the quilt..that side goes down against the feed dogs and will ease it in along the way…I know not everyone has a place to take classes from a great teacher, but reading and socializing/learning with other quilters can help.
So I hope you may NEED another tape or two…these are great gifts for quilting friends too, because you can never have too many tapes!
This is a funny text I got yesterday morning after Jace was here Wednesday…”little man” lifted my new tape that I got with the new logo on it!!! See this is why I can’t find them sometimes…no fault of my own.
Jess has been reposting all the 12 Days on the shops blog and Facebook…so if it looks like you are getting these posts twice its because your on both blogs subscriptions…just ignore those…I will not be picking winners from them…they have to sign on to my personal blog to win…Lisa Bongean Weblog…
I loved reading all your comments about PRECUTS…I am going to pick 6 winners and you will all get some sort of PRE-CUT from yesterdays post…
Cyndy Ward
December 15, 2016 at 10:03 am
I’ve purchased, used and hoarded precuts. I’ve bought more than I’ve used. I think of the small ones as something like a fabric chart of the colorways, fabric scale and prints in a line. Wish I could collect them all but as my friend Barbara says “where would you put them?”. Always found a solution so far . . .
Pam H
December 15, 2016 at 10:50 am
I have been using the small tumbler precuts to make a table runner for a large table. I like having hand piecing to do so this fits that bill. I haven’t worked on it for a bit though, because Clara’s Stars has been taking up my hand work time. Now that that’s almost done, I’m finding I need a few more tumbler packs to continue the table runner project. I usually pick up one a year on my annual jaunt to PG but I should be picking up more…I’ve run out! The other thing I like precuts for, is so I have a record of the whole line and can easily call and order more of a particular fabric, should I need that.
Donna Sparling
December 15, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Yes, I LOVE precuts! It saves so much time – which I have very little of! I have made baby bibs, blankets and throws from precuts. I like that you get an entire collection with them. My favorite precut is a toss up…. I love layer cakes and charm packs. Sometimes I will buy a mini charm pack and play around with it – it helps me to see how I like the pattern/color placement. Thanks for the pattern…..I have a few jelly rolls tht I have been saving and may try this pattern!
Beth Esser
December 15, 2016 at 3:48 pm
I have used a few pre cuts and am finding them fascinating at what can be done with them. I want more! Thanks for the chance to get some ot yours on sale!
Jacqueline morris
December 16, 2016 at 7:08 am
Sounds silly or shocking I bet to some! I have never used pre-cuts, I love how perfect they look. So why have I never bought some? This I think is because I have always bought fabric off the bolt.. It’s rather funny as only yesterday my husband surprised me with a Moda mini charm pack called Farm Fun. It’s adorable and I see why people love pre-cuts like this! As for what to make with it?? This is new territory for me! An exciting new challenge, awesome! I think I could get used to these pre-cuts!!
Lisa Angel
December 15, 2016 at 9:51 pm
Love pre cuts. I have a huge collection. I’ve made projects from them and u could say I collect also. Lol. I’ll probably not live long enough to use my fabric stash or complete my project list Having fun though.
WINNERS…PLEASE EMAIL AMY YOUR NAME/ADDRESS to get your prize! at: ahoefler@new.rr.com
You have until 12/31/16.
What to comment on for todays post!!!!
Time to fess up…were you ever guilty of stated crime above?…lol….or were you lucky to have taken a beginning quilting class and shown the proper way to put a border on?? Or tell me what comes to your mind with this post…I think being a beginning quilting teacher is the best…because…those new quilters will worship you…if you taught them this awesome art of quilting…and new way of life! Everyone remembers their first quilting teacher…Touey Dwarick (I’m sure I just murdered the spelling of her name) was mine about 20 years ago..and I still remember her…and when I see her, which I haven’t for awhile… she and I have big smiles on our faces!
We might have a snowday tomorrow!!! LB
My sister in law taught me just about everything. Except we started at all the very hard stuff. She always said “you can do it”. She is the most generous person I know. All her sewing stuff is yours to use. Fabric, lace, trim. I mean everything. She even takes women to her cabin in upper michigan for a sewing stitch n bitch and pretty much spends the whole time helping. I pretty much owe my addiction to her! Lol
I am guilty of making borders too long. I am a self taught quilter and did it once and when the quilter explained what she had to do so she could quilt I learned. I was amazed at the difference on the two side border’s. Would love these tape measures .
I was fortunate enough to have learned that border lesson in a beginners class. I’ve read via numerous sources on how to do it, but I think actually having a person show you how to do it is the absolute best way! I was officially hooked on quilting after that first class. Love your posts!
The directions you have on you post is exactly how I was taught. Perfect borders every time and my quilts always square up perfectly! Thanks Lisa!
Thanks for the border tip because I was never taught that and I was possibly quilty of that! I have made lots of quilts and never had a problem, but once I received a quilt back from a new quilter and on one side she crimped up the fabric in a section. The question of the borders measurement came up and I had no idea what she was talking about. Thankfully I was able to fix the section by hand sewing.
I happend upon a youtube video of how to fit your borders. It was so very helpful. No waves after that!! at least, not many. I am enjoying your 12 days….thanks so much.
Yes, I have been guilty of technology quick way to add borders! My beginning teacher would be sd. She was an awesome teacher. After being away from quilting for several years, I forgot the proper technique, however, reading blogs got me back on track!! I love PG and hope to make it to one of you retreats one day.
I made a quilt that had a couple of borders. The inner border I cut on the diagonal to get the movement of a check/plaid on diagonal. Unfortunately this was pre starching days…so you know what happened with that …. stretch stretch stretch. So when I made my next border, which was four patches, I ended up with a terrible mess. Being newish to quilting, I had help from my frequented shop, but somethings are just lipstick on a pig! But I still like the quilt and I just fold it advantageously and thank the Talent and Skill Gods that no one else in my family sews well enough to know its a bit of a disaster!
Years ago I was a stay home mom on a limited budget, so no extra for taking classes. So I read what I could find at the library, but that was limited. I was totally guilty of improper border sewing. The new quilters are so fortunate these days to have the internet at their fingertips to gain wonderful knowledge, if for some reason they can’t make it to a fantastic class and learn from a guru!
Yikes!!! I hate that the phone tries to fix my messages. I meant to say that I have been guilty of adding borders the incorrect way!
I, fortunately, learned in the beginning the proper way to measure and sew on borders. Saved me a lot of frustration. Thanks for the opportunity to win your tape measures.
My first full size quilt was sent to a long arm quilter…she sent back instructions for how to avoid border disorder:) I had no clue at that time…now I know better.
I had a friend tell me how to put borders on. Actually, she told me how to put columns together on a quilt where each column was not made up of the same kind of blocks. It’s the same process, and I am so glad I learned it while assembling my first quilt.
Thank you so much for the border tips. I find I enjoy making the actual body of the quilt but when it comes to the borders I am sometimes at a loss. I found your lesson very easy to understand and visualize. Hopefully from now on, I too, will have nice, even borders! I actually have liked all of your favorite “needful” things that you have shown this week and thank you for not only just telling about the product but also showing us how to use it. Merry Christmas!
I measure several times and worry, check again then cut. I’m sure I have been guilty of every quilting crime there is. Keeps me humble, lol!
Layer Cake pre-cut is my favorite… makes up a great scrapie quilt. I haven’t figured out what to do with the tiny pre-cuts
I am a self taught quilter. My very first quilt you described reminded me of that very same thing of “just sew the borders on” without measuring at all. The quilter explained to me what I had done when I went to pick up the quilt She had to neatly get all of that extra border fabric stuffed in there ever so neatly to hide my “mistake”! Will never forget that one! Now it is a different story. I measure at least 3 times on the quilt and take the average just like you said. I go a step further and not only use the pins in the outside edges, 1/2, 1/4, but also the 1/8th position on the quilt and and on the borders. I then match them up and “pin, pin, pin!! My Mother asked me a few months ago why I had so many pincushions! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season! Kathy
I’m a long arm quilter that this was/is my number one headache. I’ve become quite adept at fixing this issue, but it adds time and cost to the quilt and is soooooo simple to avoid!
I do .measure the middle of my top if I am adding borders. I am sure it came from making a mistake at some point and learning from that. I never had anyone tea h me to quilt. I am self taught. Lots of things I do are a result of making a mistake and Lear I g from it.
I was lucky to take a series of beginning quilt classe and some girls in that class became life long friends. Yes , I do borders this way. I used to machine quilt and the worst one I worked on for a customer, one side was 6 inches wider than the other!
You’re right about beginning quilters adoring and listens ng carefully to their first quilting teachers… that’s what I did although I had been sewing for years. So, they did teach me well… borders and all! Thanks Marion and Yvonne!
I am partly guilty. My dear mother taught me well how to sew and put on borders. But I still find it a stressful task. I have not measured the quilt in 3 places prior to cutting. But I do find the middle and the middle of the border and pin from the middle out. I like the idea of the tape measures! Thanks of the tips.
Love it when you give tips to help us Quilter’s. we can always use a reminder of the right way to do things and of course I have had wavy borders, but not for awhile. Thanks for all your good advise
I was taught the correct way to put on a border and it sure does make a difference in how the quilt lies. No matter how careful I am in cutting and sewing, it seems I’m always just a little off from the pattern measurement. I will never cut a border before measuring the quilt, most of the time twice, before cutting it! It takes so little time and avoids costly mistakes. I also carry a measuring tape in my purse… you never know when you need one! I love the picture of your grandson!
Lisa, I sure do enjoy all the helpful hints that you are giving in your post
Lisa I sure do enjoy all the helpful hints that you are leaving in your post
I did long arm quilting for several years and my pet peeve was folks who didn’t measure their borders. There’s nothing much a long arm quilter can do with wonky borders. You just can’t nicely work in all that excess fabric. Please measure and pin, your long arm quilter will thank you and be able to give you back a beautifully quilted quilt.
Because I was a new quilter and did not know better, my first quilt was a king size from Quiltmaker magazine in 1991. The first thing they had me cut was the border fabric and save it, which I dutifully attached not knowing if my quilt was that size or not. My daughter still has that quilt on her bed and it’s a good thing no one ever looked at the wavy outside edge of it. She loves it (and really that’s all that matters), but I have mended the error of my ways since then.
These tape measures look much more user friendly to use than the big, metal 100′ contractor tape that I occasionally nab from my husband’s work shop. Not sure if I have always some how lucked out with my borders or if the machine quilter was too kind to point out my deficiencies but nothing has been brought to my attention so far. :0)
I was guilty of it at first, but fortunately I learned the correct way. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Guilty!!! But learned my lesson and measure to make the end result much nicer
Guilty of the crime! I was a self-taught quilter and have learned the hard way about wavy borders. I had also taught myself to hand quilt which I still love to do to this day but those first couple quilts had so many tucks in the borders that it looked like smocking! I now am proud to say that I do borders correctly now.
I was taught properly, but as the years have passed, some of the finer points have vanished! Thanks for the reminder, especially since I am now teaching my granddaughters to quilt!
Hmm! I know that I do it the right way now, but I’m not sure that I have ALWAYS done it the right way. A few good friends/mentors/teachers keep me in check. But guess what? Lots of my quilts don’t even have borders, or else only narrow ones. I like patterns that go all the way to the edge. One more thing: Does this page have little white stars floating across it? Or is it just my computer? Or (scary thing) – my eyes?
Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!
I totally remember my first teacher, unfortunately didn’t remember all of her teachings. Touhy Dvorak at FVTC late 80’s. I am re-learning these last few years as I have gotten back into quilting. My longarm’er gave me a few tips, I’ve gotten many from your blog and just try to keep growing/learning.
I measure–measure-measure and when I think I have measured enough I measure again. I divide in half
and in fourths and do the same with the quilt, if it is a big quilt I will baste the border on before sewing . This is a lot of work but borders have come out great. MY friends think I’m crazy for doing this much work for borders!
Thanks, Lisa for the refresher on measuring and cutting borders correctly. I use this technique for my borders too. I am a self taught quilter, but of course have read many books and watched many tutorials. Wavy borders are not cool, especially after all the work that goes into making a pretty quilt top. Hope you are feeling better.
My first teachers are Fons and Porter and Quilt in a day !!! Thank You God for PBS !! I quilted with them for years and years as I raised my 4 kids !! Luck me I got to be a stay at home Mom !! ( with a great husband that worked 2 jobs firefighter and a welder ) but sacrifices were made !! As I got my life back little ny little I went to classes more for the friendship !! Because by the time I was going to class I had made some complicated quilts with my wonderful class on PBS !! They really taught me well !! Then I got to go to Paducah Ky !! And WOW !! Got to meet some of the giants in the business and my idols like you !! Got my well worn book( bible) sign by Liz and Marianne!! And Eleanor !! I use their first name because I feel like they are part of my life !! I use and collect your fabric !! Thank you for being part of my life !! It is part of my favorite part right after my 12 grandkids !!!
I am a long-arm quilter and have conveyed this proper way to measure and apply borders often. I personally use this method now, but YEARS AGO before I learned I was guilty of following the pattern, measuring and lobbing off the extra fabric. There’s always something new to learn as we all become experts in our craft.
I had taken a few block of the month classes before I ever completed my first quilt. I took a class on borders and bindings just to get me through that next step and remember specifically paying close attention to how to prevent rippling borders. Measuring is definitely the way to go.
Guilty as charged. As a self taught quilter, I was not aware of the proper way to put on borders. Great info to know. One time I cut it based on what the pattern said and learned that lesson quickly. I really love these posts and want to thank you for taking the time to teach us the proper way of doing things. You put a lot of effort into this and I for one truly appreciate you!
measure–measure–measure
I remember my beginning teacher too. Her name was Stephanie. She taught me to measure for my borders and I still do it. I have a confession. On a rare occasion I haven’t measured. Phew! I was lucky it worked out ok. One other thing. I think it’s probably a good idea for everyone to retake a beginning class no matter the level. It’s a good refresher and there is always something to learn.
I think it was a combination of classes and quilting books. The just sew it on and cut it off approach scares the heck out of me!!
Yep, guilty as charged, but only on the first few quilts. My close friend Betty showed me the correct way to put on borders, just like you shared. Measure, pin and stitch. I’m enjoying the 12 Days of Needful Things, but I do every year. Little Man is growing up so fast, and with that tape measure he just might be the next John Flynn or Ricky Tims!
I thought I was the only one who carried a tape measure in my purse! It comes in so handy. I had an incredible teacher when I started quilting and I continued to take classes from her for several years after. Sometimes my to to teachers are the ladies in my sewing group. There is always someone with an answer.
I’ve made all the hard mistakes with my borders. I have a few wall quilts I spent much time piecing and hand quilting to now not be able to hang as these wave, fine on a tabletop. It doesn’t really take that much more time to measure and find your quarter marks to pin the border on. Thanks for the advise and the tapes look great! Like the idea of having one in purse.
Thank you Lisa for that tip. The only quilting class I ever took was a hand pieced quilt about 35 years ago and was not taught the proper way to add borders….hmmm….need these tape measures desperately…😆
This isn’t about borders but measuring tapes instead! My friend has the same tape that Jace was wearing around his neck. One day at retreat, she had measured something, then went to cut, and sliced right through the lanyard! Of course, it was retreat so there were lots of witnesses!
I admit I am guilty of doing my borders like that when I first started quilting. A radiant star quilt I was working on for a friends wedding turned into a nightmare because I did not know how to do my borders correctly. Thankfully I learned the correct way with that quilt and have been doing it correctly since. Thank you for all your helpful advice.
My life was a lot easier once I learned the right way to put on my borders. I need some of these tape measures. Since they aren’t on my Santa list, I’ll just have to order them.
I enjoyed your post about what your long arm quilter would say. My husband is a long arm quilter but I load all the quilts. About 10 years ago he started quilting for a new quilter. After about 5 or 6 of her quilts I explained to her how to measure and put on the borders. Now she is one of the best quilters that he quilts for and she never has wavy borders!
I am guilty. I was never taught this important skill. I am missing most quilting best practices. Love learning these “how to” I am seeing why quilting has been so frustrating and stressful and not the fun I hear and read others experience.
I was very fortunate to learn how to quilt from an amazing teacher, whom I still take classes from 5 years later. I definitely appreciate quilters who know how to put on borders correctly because I am a long arm quilter. I have had a few quilts from customers that I actually removed their borders and re-stitched them because I couldn’t “quilt them out”!
My confession~ I am kinda a math nerd. (I hope my friends aren’t reading this!!) 😮 So, I love doing the math in quilts and have to account for every last quarter inch. I drive myself nuts sometimes trying to figure out why something doesn’t measure what ‘the math’ says it should. LOL I probably drive my hubby nuts too, but I never talk math with my quilty friends… if only they knew. Yipes! 🙂
In the beginning I put a few borders on as you described not to do it, but soon learned that it makes the quilt a lot harder to quilt. My method of adding borders is to measure the border fabric to the middle of the quilt, cut, and then pin as you described. Makes a world of difference, especially when quilting on a long arm.
I didn’t know that there was a proper way of putting on a border. Thanks! I always hope that it lays flat and it’s square. Can’t wait to get your tape measure. I like to keep one in my purse and now it will be yours!
I try to measure correctly
It is difficult because the cats think that when I lay a quilt down to measure they must jump on it immediately and get it wrinkled
Maybe there is cat nip in the fabric
I like the idea of a tape measure in your purse. Thanks for all the tips.
I measure before putting on the borders but admit sometimes I just get anxious and want to finish; however I know in the long run to take the time needed. Thanks again for the chance to win
I must have been because my first teacher taught me exactly how you described.
That tape loos awesome, like Jace I will have to where it around my neck so I know where it is when I need it, thanks for the neat give away.
I had a fabulous teacher who taught me the correct way — no wavy borders for me 😋!
My Mom was a self-taught quilter and she taught me. She didn’t know this border technique, but the first quilting class I took was actually about perfect borders. I had struggled and figured there was something Mom and I didn’t know. In that class it was like someone flipped on a light in a dark room! I shared what I learned with Mom and we haven’t had border problems since!
I keep a small measuring tape in my purse, too, but that larger one would be very handy for measuring borders!
Jace is so adorable. I know you just love spending time with him. I am not guilty of the wavy border, I had a good teacher. I am however the community service chairperson for our guild. I have seen my fair share of wavy borders. This week when teaching a neighbor how to put a border on her first quilt, I pulled out a community service quilt top and showed her why we must measure in several places. Explained a border is supposed to be flat, not a ruffle.
Borders are not a problem for me – pressing is my demon! Keeping track of rows and which way stuff needs to turn is a system I just don’t have down yet!
I do my borders this way but its always nice to have a reminder!
I remember my friend Mary Ellen buying lots more fabric than i thought she needed for her border years ago..a concept I was ALWAYS up for. She explained she cut her border fabric on the lengthwise grain..not selvage to selvage. Her quilts lay and hang nicely…and I LOVE fabric so. I tried it. I agree!! Always learning.
I was taught this by my first quilting teacher. It always works for a nice flat border.
I was the quilter who just sewed the borders on with no measuring. The person that does my long arm quilting for me told me about the measure 3 places, it works my quilts have been a lot better. I will try your tip on putting the fullness next to the feed dogs. Thanks.
I measure, then measure again! My 120″ tape measure is worn out, and I have been looking for a new one. Thank you!
I am pretty much self taught although I have been quilting for a long time. I have taken a few classes although there are not many in my area but I am always learning. I learned the hard way on my borders when one of my borders was off and the long armer puckered the border really bad. I keep that quilt folded up!
As a long arm quilter and a teacher of long arm classes at a LQS, I am always bringing up the fact that measuring the top before attaching the borders and pinning on the corrected border works best. There are a lot of people who have never heard of this method to make their quilt lay flat! I used to be a “sew it on and whack off the excess” piecer years ago but not anymore!
Lol Lisa, You bet I’ve made a quilt where I didn’t measure before putting on the boarders, yep I had a lettuce wrap! Thankfully I learned my lesson real quick! Your right you do always remember your first quilt teacher, mine was a girl very close in age to me at the time back in 1985/86 in Sanford Maine (I was stationed at Pease AFB in New Hampshire but lived in Maine at the time) there was a local shop called the “Uncommon Pin” owned by Debbie (Gavin I think was her last name) and I wandered in one day and asked if she taught quilting the answer was yes so I signed up, and I was hooked from that moment on. Log Cabin from the Quilt in a Day book was my first quilt and back then we didn’t “longarm quilt” them, we tied them or quilted them by hand. Next was a Trip around the World also Quilt in a Day pattern, but I didn’t like the “huge” squares so I thought I’d make mine smaller, LOL I still have it in the bag in the garage someplace along with the acrylic strips we used to cut (before all the nifty acrylic rulers became available) I had them in several of the common sizes 2″ 3″ etc… I haven’t seen Debbie since then but I think of her fondly and wonder what ever became of her and the Uncommon Pin. When I was back in Maine in about 2008 I drove thru Sanford the town has grown a lot but the house I rented was still there, but Uncommon Pin was no longer there
Love the little model with tape measure I remember when my grandsons have measured everything in sight. They always have such fun🎅👏 On Fri, Dec 16, 2016 at 11:27 AM Lisa Bongean’s Weblog wrote:
> lisabongean posted: ” DAY 9- TAPE MEASURES… I really LOVE my tape > measures…I am using it all the time…I carry a small one in my > purse…you never know when you need to know the size of anything! I also > know you probably already have one of these or you have a ser” >
Thanks for your tips. I’m glad that I learned early on to put my borders on correctly and I’ve taught my daughters how to do this as well. It’s so fun to have daughters and now a new daughter in law who love sewing and quilting. I think they all would love to have your measuring tape!
I don’t remember where I learned that trick, but it sure made a difference! Now I quilt for other people and have had to really work to ease those flappy borders on some of them. If I get the chance I show them how to do it better the next time.
Both tape measures are great but the 120 inch one is a must have! I have put my borders on both ways but Suzy Peterson taught me the correct way to measure for borders. She was a great teacher and friend and one who brought joy to classes or shopping at the store. Her quilting knowledge and color coordination was superb! After being with her, one always felt a better person! Janet Kay
I have a tape measure and use it just as you described (thanks beginning teacher). But I want one with Primitive Gatherings on it, so I’ll be ordering these.
Luckily I learned how to do borders early on from Alex Anderson’s TV show on HGTV and the book Quilts, Quilts, Quilts by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes. I think I must have borrowed that book from the library a 100 times!
I have tape measures in various places. I use them all the time.
I have tape measures in various places. I use them often.
I had a wonderful teacher also. I learned to put on my borders the right way also. Did not know to use the feed dogs that way! Thanks for that tip. I just love your blog. I learn something new all the time. Think your little man is so cute!
I don’t remember where I learned how to put borders on correctly, probably from a book or at quilt club. I have to admit, I still have problems sometimes! Uggh! I think I should get these tapes for my 4 grandkids, they are 7,6,5 & 4 yrs. I’m sure they would love them as much as your little guy!
Hi Lisa, thanks for the wonderful explanation on the proper way to put on borders. Being a Longarm quilter who has quilted tops with wavy borders, I can tell you that they are a nightmare! I have tried to gently tell the quilter the issue with the quilt and the wavy borders. Some are appreciative and some are not. Unfortunately, the ones that need to pay attention to this instruction do not because in their mind they haven’t done anything wrong. They followed the directions.
A hand quilted wall hanging I was so proud of reminds me when I get it out of how not to measure the borders. Need I say more?? But it still brings back memories of when it was quilted while on vacation in Dillon, CO.
I made the mistake of stashing to much yardage in the first few years of my quilting life. I am still trying to use it up and I’m pretty tired of seeing some of it! Now I strictly buy FQs, 1/3 yards, and half yards. But every quilt I make has plenty of yardage for backing and borders and background and …. yeah, i’m tired of some of them. lol. Hope you are continuing to recover well from your recent bout of ‘medical unpleasantness.’
I was lucky and had a good teacher I measure top middle and bottom both to and bottom.
The first time I had a ruffly border I was so baffled by it. I thought I had cut everything so perfectly. Ack! Then I took a class and learned the method you described. Yay!!
I had learned to measure across the middle, but measuring in 3 places makes more sense. I have to tell my friend, she has a lot of problems with wavy borders and it is very frustrating. Thank you for all the tips you give to help us hour. Love the 12 Days of Christmas!
I learned to do borders the way you described it. I took a lot of classes when I started quilting and I had many wonderful teachers.
That’s the way I measure my borders. I, too, also keep a small tape measure in my purse!
Measure, measure and measure. Then pin, pin, pin. I hate wavy borders!
I was self taught when I first started piecing and later taking classes to better my skills. Eventually, I graduated to a longarm and started taking quilting jobs from the public. One of my stories is about this little old lady who brought her top to me to quilt. She was so proud of her top being it was her first she ever sewed on a machine. I was excited to get the job. Well, I found out quickly how much her top like to wave at me from frame. I felt so bad for her and took the borders off because no matter what I did, it would not lay still. I just could not quilt in puckers. After removing two sides, I can’t tell you how confused I was when I measured one side was 18 inches longer than the other side. I still think about how she got all that fabric into one side of the top. Of course I fixed it and it quit waving. Needless to say, she love her finished quilt and yes, I did show her how to put on borders.
I made a small table quilt and was dismayed to realize that I had neglected to measure the borders and that was why it was noticeably out of square. I did know better, but was in a hurry and just sewed and cut off. Now I do measure and make sure to do the borders the proper way.
Its amazing that you have this subject today! I have been straight line quilting (first for me!) today, and when I came to the side borders, I really had to work on the them! It made me remember that I had went by the pattern measurements instead of measuring! It really does make a difference. Sorry, I need to go write a letter of apology to my longarmmer!!!
I was never taught how to properly add borders until now! Thank you! I am a self taught quilter but I must admit I have learned the most from you! Thank you again! I sew for a home decorator as my profession and so making things square and equal is second nature to me. I do have one quilt with a very wavy border that I hurried to finish rather than taking the time to pin it before sewing it. Now I will have to take more time to remove it and do it right, one day……..I look forward to getting the 120″ tape measure in the retractable container.
I put borders on as you described my long arm quilter gives a sheet of directions for finishing a quilt to all of her first time quilters I also keep a tape measure in my purse.
I sure did make a mess of the borders on the first few quilts I made! I know the correct way now though! I love the longer measuring tape, I am always having to borrow my sweet hubby’s!! He will be glad I am getting my own now!
In the previous post about the triangle paper, you show a photo of your Juki sewing machine, I would like to know what type foot is on the machine, and is that available to purchase? I have the Juki 2010Q, but I do not have this 1/4″ foot with flange.
I will be buying those tape measure. I didn’t know they came so long…Thanks for the border info!
I do measure and apply my borders as you outlined in your post. Through the years I’ve had great quilting teachers and am grateful for all their knowledge they shared with students.
Most of my beginning projects were small and easy to measure. As I started to make larger projects I must admit I struggled with measuring the borders. I have a small workspace. I’m getting better at it now and this set of tape measures is going on my list of things to buy!
I learned the correct way when I put the borders on the first quilt I made. So glad I didn’t have to unlearn a process and was taught properly way back in the late 80’s.
I am one that messed up borders on more than one quilt :/ But I finally learned better way…but yours is Top of the Line! Thank you soooo much for sharing this info with us!!
Thanks too, for chance to win your Give-a-way! 😀
I had a great teacher when I started quilting, Aletha, but she is no longer with us. I learned how to do everything correctly she was very adamant about proper placement. The only time I do not measure for borders are on mug rugs.
I learned my lesson years ago when I sent a lovely twin bed quilt to the quuilter. It had a wide plain border to accent the appliqué and piecing in the center. She returned it with just the middle quilted and said she just couldn’t quilt the border. It would never lay flat. It looked like a ruffle. That was an expensive lesson. I have carefully measured ever after.
I commented earlier, but now I have a question. Do you starch your border fabric also, or just the fabric you are piecing?
ALL of it Beth…I do not always do the binding…
Thanks for the great tip. I have had some wavy borders but now I measure 3 places then cut.
Reading about our teachers just brought tears to my eyes ♡ but joyful tears! I was lucky to have my neighbor Eileen with her quilting 101 class (about 30 years,ago) she in now in her mid 80’s & still teachs daily quilt lessons…she is my hero & I love her dearly….trust me the measuring tape has been used since day one 🙂 my sweetheart built me a new quilting room in basement with a HQ Avante & I’m forever going up & down looking for my tape….one is definitely not enough 🙂
I have learned so many things from your posts and how to add borders is another great tip. Some day I hope I can attend one of your classes. I could learn so much from you in just a short amount of time.
I too have my share of tape measures. One or two in my purse, at least one in my truck, I don’t know how many in my studio, and shop. Yet I seem to be always looking for them too. Especially the ones in the shop, the mr. takes them and never brings them back.
Your instructions for a border have been added to my notebook with other tips I’ve picked up along the way. I have only made one quilt with a border and must have been lucky…it did not wave. The small tape measure would be helpful. Love the quilts and other projects from Primitive Gatherings, Lisa. Thanks for a chance in the giveaway.
Let’s just say I learned the hard way…someone told me the measure in three places idea but I didn’t get it until I was shown so some of the early projects are a bit wonky. Live and learn!
I am a self taught quilter. When I reached the point where borders needed to be attached to my first quilt, I did my research to discover the correct way to apply them. I love the story of your grandson and the tape measure. So sweet! He just wants to be like grandma! Love the idea of carrying a tape measure in your purse.
Yes, I am guilty of the crime you talked about! I’ve never taken a quilting class BUT I have learned the hard way that there is a right way to put on borders!!!
My first quilt teacher was also my boss that hired me in an entry level position. After 10 years time when I was married, had kids (settled down), she taught me! I’m so fortunate to know her. Even 16 years from that time we are still great friends and share fabric, projects UFOs and finished and finally finished projects. She teaches at a community art center while working full time. The gifts of her quilts she has given me remain my favorites and adorn my walls and couches…I’m so lucky to know Mary Ellen Ewert.
I learned this from the ladies in my quilt group, have been measuring ever since ! Thank you for sharing the tip though, love reading your blog and the part about little man is adorable!
You are so right. As a quilter who is self taught, messed up a few borders. But even tho I am pretty isolated, in this wonderful age of internet and videos, and you tube, we have such an opportunity to learn.
You’ll enjoy reading this post! Maybe save it for all our customers that have wavy borders….teehee.
From: Lisa Bongean’s Weblog To: wendyboomer@yahoo.ca Sent: Friday, December 16, 2016 9:25 AM Subject: [New post] 9 Days til Christmas! Needful Things #yiv5367767572 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv5367767572 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv5367767572 a.yiv5367767572primaryactionlink:link, #yiv5367767572 a.yiv5367767572primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv5367767572 a.yiv5367767572primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv5367767572 a.yiv5367767572primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv5367767572 WordPress.com | lisabongean posted: “DAY 9- TAPE MEASURES…I really LOVE my tape measures…I am using it all the time…I carry a small one in my purse…you never know when you need to know the size of anything! I also know you probably already have one of these or you have a ser” | |
first teacher was a friend in our church. She invited a few women to come to her home and she taught us to quilt. I was hooked and now 20 plus years later I think of her and her patience. Her name was Laura Leach and she was an awesome quilter in her own right. I so appreciate all that she taught me.
I was taught to measure in 3 places on your quilt but not to find the center that I remember Good to know to find the center not by squares Love the picture Too cute
linda m
Wonderful!! Thank you for choosing my name, lucky me!!
I have sent a message ….thank you! Eeeeeek!!
Merry Christmas 🙂
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