Getting your top flat

[MissSongbird]

While I was at Thimbleberries today I was looking around the room and noticed that the quilt tops hanging on the wall were flat and neat. It seems when I make a quilt it never comes close to being to nice. Other quilters, during show and tell, had quilts that were just and flat and unwrinkled.

What's the trick to this? Does the iron or ironing board make a different or am I just doing something wrong?

[auntjana]

Tops that seem to lay flat for me comes from when you make the borders. The trick I have learned is to measure all the sides of the quilt - and then adjust the border to fit them.

When you measure the sides and top and bottom - they will probably different from the opposite side - one will be longer than the other is what I have always found. So you split the difference between them in half and cut your border to fit that measurement. Usually it is around 1/2 or less I find. Then you ease the border to fit. Then do the same for the top and bottom - cut to fit that measurement.

This will give you a straight outside edge of the border to add your binding to and everything will be the same. This should make your quilt lay flat and nice.

You do have to watch your pressing of the top too - be careful to press not iron - you don't want to stretch the top as you press it.

Good luck!

[polkadotgirl]

For me, it has taken a lot of PRACTICE. Making sure my fabric is cut as exactly as possible (i lay the ruler on top of the strip i'm cutting so it's uniform), taking the time to make sure that my squares are the size they are supposed to be before i sew them together, (I lay a square ruler over them and cut them to fit using the diagonal line to make sure it's really square), sewing exactly one quarter inch seams,...and then also doing what auntjana suggested with the borders, except that i have heard people say to include one or two measurements of the middle of the quilt in your average for the borders.

[Quilter7]

You have received some excellent advice. I would add that borders should also be sewn from the center out to the corners. If you want additional information you might take a free class at Quilt University. It is excellent and will give you great information.
Carol

[Joannequilts]

I find that if I cut the borders on the length of grain that they stay more stable. Cross grain has more "give" and gives me wavy borders!

The last quilt that I put together, I did one of the borders on cross grain..and there seems to be too much fabric..and a little wavey!

Joanne

[elise26]

Thanks everyone for your input now I have to this right