I haven't been able to update the blog for a little while. Blimmin work always gets in the way!
So here is an update on my baby quilt.
Thank you to all of you who read my blog and take the time to comment. Thank you so much. It means a lot to me.
I have another question. I've watched lots of youtube tutorials on how to add borders to quilts. The majority say that you measure 3 times and then take the average. Why can't I cut longer and then trim to size? It would be so much easier! Does the same apply when I am adding borders to blocks?
I had my monthly meeting at the quilting group I go to. We had a talk by a lovely lady called Helen Howes. She was taught by Jennie Rayment and her quilts are fabulous. I like the way she doesn't stick to rules and applies her own spin on things. You can see more about Helen on her website here. The meetings are only held once a month but I really look forward to them.
I've been up to quite a bit of sewing and hopefully I'll be able to share some more with you soon.
Ally
The reason it is recommended to measure 3 times and use the average is to keep your quilt "square" - that is, it doesn't have wavy edged that don't lay flat. Now, I admit that I do it the way you say, sometimes, and if the quilt is just for me and my family's use, then what difference does it make?? Generally, I do the precise thing when the quilt is a gift. Or something really special that I want to take pains with.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jayne and sometimes I do it that way and other times I just cut my borders a little bigger and go for it. Just try and be careful not to stretch the fabric. The important thing is to have fun!
ReplyDeleteI say the same as Jayne - it's important to have an accurate measurement to keep your quilt "square" so it doesn't twist out of shape when it's finished. Only takes a few minutes, and it really is worth it. The same applies to borders around individual blocks - it means your work will look neat and well finished.
ReplyDeleteI'll add to the other comments. Square is important but for me, even more important is that the quilt lay more or less flat. It seems like quilts can sometimes expand their measurements as they get larger, so the center measurements of the quilt are smaller than the edge measurements. I think that may happen because fabric stretches a little, more so on cross-grain than long-grain.
ReplyDeleteI've put on a border before without measuring and ended up with a quilt that ruffled (or was wavy) along the edges. (I don't know how best to describe it.) The center was flat but toward the edges, the fabric went up and down like gentle rolling hills. If I smoothed one edge out, it was slightly curved and there were even more gently rolling hills on the adjoining sides.
Using the center measurement or an average of three measurements will help confine the edges by allowing the edges of the quilt center to be gently eased into the border while pinning and sewing. Once quilted it will probably lay completely flat.
When I'm working on a border I generally use the center measurement. I lay my border fabric across the center of the quilt and line up the edge, then use a pin to mark where it should be cut. I fold the border in half lengthwise and mark the center with a pin. I also mark the center of the quilt edge where the border will go. Then I move the border fabric to the edge of the quilt and pin it on both ends and in the center. That makes it easy to ease in any excess fabric on the quilt. This helps with square and flat.
I don't know if that helps or not....