How to Apply a Quilt Border

Why is this important?

One very common problem with quilt tops is "wavy" borders. Borders that are wavy or have extra fullness are difficult to quilt, and often result in tucks or pleats. That extra fabric has to have somewhere to go! Another problem with wavy borders is that the quilt top will not load properly onto the longarm machine. A top with borders that are too small or tight causes the center section of the quilt to sag, also resulting in possible tucks and pleats.

How did this happen?

POSSIBLE CAUSES
	Sewing from one end to the other, and cutting off the excess border at the end will result in "wavy" borders, or excess border fabric.
	If the thread tension on your sewing machine is set too tightly, this will cause a very slight gathering effect in the seam, which over the length of the border, will cause the outer edge to have excess fabric. Having your tension adjusted correctly, as well as the use of a walking foot for applying borders WILL help.
	Stretchy fabric. Go heavy on the starch when pressing the fabric and be cautious of stretching the fabric when sewing.

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

It is not difficult to apply borders the right way and end up with a nice flat quilt top. Here is how you start:

After the body of the quilt has been pieced, gently press before adding borders. Lay the quilt top on a flat surface, such as the floor. The logical place to measure the finished top is along its outside edges, and this is a useful measurement. However, measurements should be taken across the center in two or three places for both the width and length. If these measurements are different from that of the outer edge, some stretching or distortion has occurred. To keep the finished quilt as straight and square as possible, you must measure the centers.

To make a border with straight-cut corners:

Determine the length to cut the quilt border by averaging the distance of two or three center measurements (see Fig. A). Cut two borders that length and pin them to opposite sides of the quilt matching ends and centers and easing in the fullness. Sew and press.

Determine the width of the quilt border by averaging the distance of two or three center measurements (see Fig. B). Cut two borders that length and pin them to opposite sides of the quilt matching ends and centers and easing in the fullness. Sew and press.