How to Add Mitered Corners to Quilt Borders | Quilting Technique

Mastering Mitered Corners for Successful Quilt Borders

Whether you’re an experienced quilter or still learning the ropes, mitered corners can be intimidating. From my experience, getting those points to line up just right takes some practice. But with the right techniques, you’ll be sewing perfect Corners like a pro in no time.

Understanding Mitered Corners

To start, let’s cover the basics. A mitered corner is when two pieces of fabric meet at a 45-degree angle to form a sharp point. This gives the appearance of a continuous border running around all four sides of your quilt. While it seems straightforward, getting those angles to match up smoothly can be tricky, as I’m sure some of you quilters out there can attest!

1. You’ll need to cut both edges of your border strips at 45-degree angles to get that mitered look.
2. When sewing the borders to the quilt, those angled edges need to nest together perfectly without any gaps.
3. If the angles are even a tiny bit off, the points won’t line up right and you’ll end up with frustrating gaps or overlaps in your corners.

The good news is, with a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it. And there are some tried-and-true techniques to help ensure success.

Make a Gauge/Template

Many quilters swear by using a gauge or template to mark and cut their mitered corners accurately. To make your own, cut a small square from cardboard or template plastic that’s exactly 2.5″ x 2.5″. Then use a rotary cutter and ruler to cut the corners off at a 45-degree angle.

Now, when cutting your border strips, simply line up the gauge along one edge and use it to mark the ideal angled cut. Repeat on the other end. By using this little template, you’ll cut perfectly matching miters every time! Does this make sense or do I need to explain it again, kind human readers?

Press First, Then Sew

Proper pressing as you work is another key to successful mitered corners. Once your strips are cut, take some time to press each angled edge open, away from the center crease. This helps the fabric lie flat so your points nest smoothly.

You’ll also want to press each seam as you sew, before adding the next piece. The extra attention to pressing flattens seams and reduces bulk, giving you crisp corners in the end.

“But is pressing really that important?” you may ask. Take it from this quilter – when it comes to complicated seams like miters, pressing makes a world of difference! A few minutes of ironing pays off with beautiful results.

Layer and Sew Method

Another tactic I’ve found helpful is sewing my borders using a “layer and sew” method. Start by placing a cut border strip right sides together with the pressed edge of the quilt. Pin or baste in place.

Now, lay the second border strip right on top with its angled edge pressed open and lined up to the first strip. Pin or baste these together as a unit before sewing the border down. The layered strips help keep everything aligned as you stitch.

Using this method, I find it easier to keep my seamline straight and ensure the points will nest properly. The layers also help prevent stretching or distortion as you sew. Give it a try – you may find it works better for you, too!

Stop and Check as You Sew

No matter the technique, it’s always a good idea to pause and verify your points are lining up smoothly as you sew each seam. Simply stop with your needle down, unfold the pieces, and check the match on the corner.

If things look good, you proceed. But if there’s a gap or overlap, don’t keep sewing! Carefully rip out the last stitch or two and make any small adjustments needed before continuing. It’s better to fix it then rather than later!

Pausing to inspect your work ensures beautifully mitered points the whole way around the quilt. The extra few minutes spent checking is worthwhile to avoid frustrating mistakes down the road, in my experience.

Square up Your Corners

Last but definitely not least is squaring up those just-sewn corners when complete. Lay the quilt flat and smooth out the border fabric, paying close attention to the four corners.

If things look a tiny bit distorted, you can gently ease or tug on the border strips until the points are perfect right angles. A quick trim here and there if needed finishes them neatly. Take your time at this final step to achieve beautiful professional-looking corners!

And there you have it – my tried-and-true techniques for nailing mitered borders every time. Hopefully some of these tips help take the fear out of corners and get you sewing like a pro. But if you find yourself struggling on a particular corner, don’t despair! We’ve all been there, just shout out and the quilting community will help you troubleshoot. Now go nail those miters – you’ve got this!

Tips for Sewing Accurate Mitered Corners on Quilt Borders

FAQ

1. How do I add mitered corners to a quilt border?

   Basically, mitered corners are when opposite edges of a border meet at a 45 degree angle. To add them, cut the border strips at a 45 degree angle before sewing them to the sides of the quilt. Match up the edge pieces so they form neat corners. Sew with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Try using a clear acrylic ruler and rotary cutter – they kinda make the job easier.

   

2. What’s the best way to hide the raw edges of a mitered border?

   There are a few options here. Some people like to turn the border strips inside out and topstitch close to the folded edge. However, this can get bulky. Instead, consider serging or zigzag stitching the raw edges before attaching the border. At the same time, maybe just finish the inside border edges with fusible web if using a mitered corner ruler. That way, everything stays super flat and clean.

3. Should I add batting between the quilt layers at the mitered corners?

   On one hand, adding extra batting in the corners can add bulk. On the other hand, it helps the corners stay sharp and not cave in over time. Honestly, it depends on your fabric and batting combo. For thin cottons, extra batting is probably not crucial. However, with thicker wools or flannels, those corners might really need that support. Try it on a test quilt corner first before putting in the extra work.

4. My quilt corners are not coming out perfectly sharp. What am I doing wrong?

   A few things could be happening here. Are you perhaps cutting the border strips a smidge too long or short? Even a tiny bit off can make a big difference in the final corner fit. It’s also key to match up the cut edges EXACTLY before sewing. Another issue could be your sewing – are you backstitching at the starts and ends? That reinforces the seam. Maybe slow down and pay close attention to keeping the 1/4 inch seam allowance even. Practice makes perfect with mitered corners, my friend!

5. Can I add cornerstones or squares to mitered quilt borders?

   For sure you can add cornerstones or squares! It takes some careful measuring and cutting, but the results are totally worth it. Place the cornerstones between the mitered border strips before sewing the three layers together. Be sure to leave a scant 1/4 inch past the last border stitching for the cornerstone seam allowance. Sew from the center outwards in stages. Take your time sewing and it should come out fine. The cornerstones really make those points pop!

6. The borders on my quilt are looking a little small. Is there any way to make them appear larger?

   There are a few tricks you can try here. Obviously, using wider border strips will make the biggest impact. But if you’ve already sewn them, don’t sweat it – there are still options. You could consider adding another row of borders outside the current ones. Piecing extra half-strips onto the ends could also help expand the borders in a way that appears intentional. Or go bold by adding some dramatic mitered corner designs. Our eyes are often drawn to the corners, so fancying them up may distract from any border size issues. With some creativity, you can make it work!

7. How many border options are there besides straight and mitered corners?

   Man, there are tons of unique border options beyond the basics! Some clever looking ones are wagon wheel, angle inset, corner triangles, and puzzle piece borders. You can get really inventive with bias binding or different angles too. Square-in-a-square borders are jaw-dropping. And what about circles or octagons? The possiblities are endless if you let your imagination run wild. Just be sure to draw your designs out first. Quilt borders are too permanent for on-the-fly ideas!