Sashing and border
From your remaining sashing fabric cut 1 ½” strips, you will
probably need 7 - 1 ½” strips. You can
join these strips end to end. I like to
use a diagonal join using the Quick Quarter Ruler; however a straight join will
also work, just be sure to cut your selvages off.
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| Diagonal join using the Quick Quarter Ruler |
How to add borders and how to square a quilt
(this makes it easier to quilt especially for longarm quilters).
First measure the length of your quilt right down the middle
(very center). To make this easier I
fold my quilt in quarters and measure the lengthwise middle fold and then
multiply this number by two. Mine measured
35 ¼” X 2 = 70 ½”
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| Measure center of quilt lengthwise |
You will now want to cut two sashing strips to this length. Fold your sashing strip in four and mark the
middle and quarters with a pin and do the same with the long sides of your
quilt top.
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| Mark middle and quarters on Sashing |
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| Mark middle and quarters on Quilt top |
Now with your sashing and
quilt right sides together match the middles and quarter pins, also match and pin
the outside edge of the quilt and sashing, ease and pin the sashing and
quilt top together. I know you’ve all
heard about measure through the middle, however I also know that people still
have trouble with the borders fitting – most of us will have to do some easing.
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| Ease quilt top and sashing |
Main border
Once again, we will do the long sides first, so measure the length
in the middle of your quilt.
For my border I cut the material lengthwise because of how I
wanted the stripes to look. Also if you
cut your borders this way you don’t have to piece them.
I cut my border fabric into four 10 inch strips. You will need two strips that are the length of
your quilt and then the two for the top and bottom will be the width of your
quilt plus 20” that you’ve added for the two side borders, this is a warning so you don’t hack off the length and then find
yourself short for the top and bottom.
My long sides were 73 inches and
my top and bottom measured 78 inches.
Add your borders, like the sashing, pinning, easing and
pressing toward the border.
You are done your quilt top!
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| Beige Mile a Minute with 10 inch borders |
Now - I have a Longarm special for you. If you complete your Mile a Minute top and get it to me in
May (or before) I will give you 50% off the longarm quilting price. I will then reduce the discount by 10% each
month until October (full price).
Some details:
For this special you can choose from one of my
all-over pantograph designs.
Your backing fabric and batting must be 4
inches bigger or more on all four sides.
You can
purchase batting from me if you like.
Let’s get
these lovely quilts finished and on your beds!
