Episode 33 ~ Mitered Corners, Borders

Today we talked about doing mitered corners on borders – like this!

Thank you to everyone who commented or emailed this week.  Special thanks to Mindy and Debby for sharing their paper piecing pictures.

Lisa posted a video tutorial on her site on how to do a mitered binding.  Check it out here.

Lori shared her original Speed Racer Quilt with us.  Love the concept, workmanship, EVERYTHING!  Leave a comment and let Lori know what you think.

I finished another block on Frolic.  Only one more to go!!

How to make a Mitered Corner

Cut your border piece longer then the quilt/piece.  A good gauge is double the border width plus 1/2″ for each corner.  This may be a bit longer than you need, but better safe then sorry.  Pin the border to the quilt top leaving an overhang of double the border plus seam allowance; for a 2″ border, that would be 4 1/2″.

When sewing on this piece you start 1/4″ in from the edge and stop 1/4″ from the edge.  So measure and mark this.  You can leave a gap bigger than 1/4″, but never smaller.

Fold the piece you just sewed back and pin the next side on.  Mark 1/4″ from the edge for the starting and stopping points.

When you stitch the second piece, the stitches shoule be close, but not touching.  I found that this was about 1 stitch too close.

Fold the side up and line the top edges.  Be sure the stitch lines are matching too.

Line up the top edge with the 45 degree mark on your ruler.  The side of the ruler lines up with the fold line.

Mark the line.

I found that it was easier with the seam allowance pressed down instead of up.

Stitch on your marked line from the quilt to the edge.

Trim, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance.  I use a “add a quarter” ruler for a guide.

Fold it out, press and you are done.

This is what happens when you don’t leave a 1/4″ from the edge when stitching on your borders or when you don’t match up your stitching lines when folding it in half and lining up the top edges.

Try it out and let me know how it goes.  If you have any tips, leave it in the comments section to share with everyone.

Tags: Borders, Mitered Corner, Quilting