Quilt in a Day Forums

When I add borders to my quilts they ripple. I really want to know what I'm doing wrong. So I can put borders to future quilts.

Are you measuring across the center of the quilt to know the length you need to use, or just going by what the directions say to use?
If you measure across the middle and use that to cut your border strip you may have to ease the fabric gently in, or big bottom it, but it will lay flat, no ripples.
Do the same from top to bottom across the middle for the second measurement. If that's not clear, let me know and I'll try to explain it better.
Joan

So I already have put the borders on should I take them off ?

when you layer your quilt, press and starch it before you baste. It helps all 3 layers "stick"together with a static electricity. I just learned this in my guild meeting this week.

Elise, if you want it to lay flat, try taking one off and redo it. If it helps, then do the others. That's what I would suggest anyway.

also, when you sew the borders on put the borders on the bottom and the quilt top wrong side up...this way you can help any seams to go in the right direction

I have found that when borders ripple it is usually caused by not matching the side lengths and the top and bottom lengths to the pieced top causing things not to be square and flat.

What I mean is that you need to measure the side lengths - from each side separately and write down those numbers - they could be the same, but more than likely, they are different -so then take the average between the two sides and use that number to cut the length of your side borders - both borders the same as that average number. You can fudge the difference in lengths by tugging or easing - which ever you may need to do. Now do the same for the top and the bottom of the quilt - again measuring from the middle out and writing down that number.

This should give you the straight flat borders that you are looking for. Any more questions - pm me and I will try to explain and help more - glad to!

Jana

What everyone else said. But I'd like to add that sometimes, just handling the raw-edged borders and quilts can stretch the fabric. I've learned the hard way to be VERY careful about that. When folding my quilt top, or laying it out or showing it off, I try to always handle it inside a block so I don't stretch the borders. Sometimes, if it gets a little wonky, it can be quilted out with heavy quilting.

That's what El says, too..."Quilt the h*ll out of it!" LOL

Adding in the machine quilting really can hide the little whoopsies!

Thanks everyone I had my husband read what you wrote and he explained to he knows I get confused easily but I think I get it. My first border when on great.
Elise