Everything You Need to Know About Adding Mitered Borders to Your Quilts
When perusing online quilt patterns or browsing through quilt books, you may have noticed the prominent use of mitered borders as a way to frame and finish the edges of quilts. Mitered borders not only add a polished look but also serve the practical purpose of binding raw quilt edges. If you’ve been reluctant to try mitered borders due to perceived difficulty, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step and dispel any myths about their complexity.
Understanding the Basics of Mitered Corners
A mitered corner is one where two pieces of fabric or trim meet at an angle of 45 degrees. When pieces are cut and joined precisely at this 45 degree angle, it creates the optical illusion of a seamless 90 degree inner corner. This angled cut is what sets mitered borders apart from simple straight or squared borders.
From my experience quilting for over a decade, most quilters’ initial hesitation with mitered borders comes from uncertainty around calculating and cutting those precise 45 degree angles. However, it’s actually not as hard as it may seem! All it takes is measuring carefully and either using a clear marking tool or cutting guide to ensure accurate cuts. Some experts also recommend practicing the technique on scrap fabric first to gain confidence.
Choosing Fabric for Your Mitered Borders
When selecting fabric for mitered borders, solids or low-volume prints generally work best as they allow the precision of the cuts and joins to shine through. Busy prints could risk getting lost or disguising construction mistakes. For beginners, steer clear of ultra-fine quilting cottons too, as they can be tricky to cut and handle precisely.
In terms of width, aim for border strips that are at least 2-3 inches wide for easiest construction. Narrower strips mean less margin for error. For most home machine sewing, a 3-4 inch width is a sweet spot where the fabric is generous but not overwhelming to manipulate.
Preparing Your Fabric
- Cut strips of border fabric the desired width across the width of the fabric.
- For double-fold mitered borders, cut twice as many strips as the number of sides on your quilt.
- For single-fold borders, cut the same number of strips as quilt sides.
Press all strips in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. This presses a foldline along the center for accurate measurement and folding. It also reduces bulk when sewing.
Measuring and Marking the Strips
Measure the length needed for each border strip, adding 1/4″ seam allowances to the measurements. Then use a clear acrylic ruler and fabric marking pen or pencil to draw a line at the 45 degree angle from each folded edge to create the miter.
Some quilters find using a clear acrylic miter square or 45 degree marking ruler more accurate than freehand marking. But with a steady hand and practice, you can reliably mark miters by connecting the edges at the proper angle with your regular quilting ruler too. Just take your time for best results.
Sewing the Miters
With right sides together, place two border strips at a 90 degree angle with raw edges matching up and the pointed ends of the miters also nicely aligned. Begin sewing straight down one side at a 1/4″ seam.
When you reach the point of the miter, slowly and cautiously sew up the point, keeping fabric straight and not stretching it. Then continue sewing down the remaining side. Backstitch at beginning and end for reinforcement.
Trim the excess fabric just past the seam line, being careful not to cut your stitches. Press seams open or to one side, depending on your quilt’s design. Continue attaching strips in this manner, working your way around the quilt until all sides are complete.
Tips for Perfect Miters Every Time
- Go slowly when sewing up the miter point for best results.
- Always press seams before assembling miters to reduce bulk and keep strips flat.
- Use spray starch on border strips for extra crispness if needed.
- Check miters from the front for even points before proceeding to next seam.
- A 1/4″ piecing foot can help keep you on track if new to the technique.
With practice, mitered borders will become second nature. But be patient with yourself if they don’t come out perfectly the first time – even experienced quilters sometimes have to “unpick” a miter seam and redo it. The finished quilt is what matters most!
Adding Borders to Large Quilts
For larger quilts requiring very long border strips, you may choose to sew the borders on in shorter sections then join them with either diagonal or straight seams. Measure and mark diagonal seams just like miters to maintain a smooth flow.
Some people find sewing smaller piecemeal sections easier to manage than wrestling with a single massive long strip. Just be sure to press all seams before joining to keep things neatly aligned. Taking breaks is also advised to prevent hand fatigue on big projects.
Alternative Methods for Challenging Fabrics
If you find getting clean miters is too tricky with fine prints or delicate fabrics, there are a few options. One is using slightly wider border strips (4″+) and just squaring off the inner corners. Another is butting welting or bias tape onto the raw quilt edges for a straighter finish.
You could also try clipping threads just outside the stitching line of the first seam before pressing. This allows the fabric point to fold up more easily without bulk. Or consider fusible web applique instead of traditional piecing for certain fabrics. Don’t be afraid to modify techniques to suit your skills and materials.
In summary, mitered borders are well worth conquering for any intermediate to advanced quilter looking to up their finishing game. With the right preparation, sharp tools, patience and practice, beautiful miters are definitely within reach. When in doubt, start with calmer solids and focus on quality over speed. Ultimately perfect corners are less important than sheer enjoyment of the process. Happy quilting!
Choosing the Right Miter Border Style for Your Quilt
| Miter Border Style | When to Use | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Miter | All quilt styles and fabrics | Simple and classic look, flat edges lay nicely |
| Mitered Corner Pieces | Adding visual interest to quilts with darker fabrics | Emphasizes the corners with fabric triangles |
| Welted Miter | Softer, rounded look for quilts with light or busy prints | Hides seamlines and gives the illusion of a continuous border |
| Pointed Miter | Ideal for traditional quilts with a focus on precise points | Very tailored, emphasizes pieced corners |
| Mitered Borders with Inner Fabrics | Textural interest for modern or art quilts | Layers of fabric add visual depth and dimension |
FAQ
-
What is a miter border?
A miter border is where the corners of quilt blocks or fabric pieces are sliced at a 45 degree angle so they fit together neatly like a jigsaw puzzle. It takes some practice to get the cuts just right!
-
Why use miter borders on quilts?
Miter borders help frames quilt blocks or designs in a clean, sharp way. They basically give the quilt a more polished look compared to just square corners. Some people find miters more attractive than bias binding too. However, miters require more precise cutting than other border options.
-
How do you cut miter borders?
To cut miter corners, place the ruler or template at a 45 degree angle to mark and cut the fabric strips. It helps to align and pin the strips before cutting to make sure everything fits together nicely later. Be sure to double check the measurements also – it would be a real bummer to have to recut something!
-
What tools do you need to sew miter borders?
At a basic level, you need strong scissors, a clear ruler or acrylic template, and pins to mark and cut the miters. An acrylic grid ruler or mitering tool can assist with keeping angles accurate. Rotary cutters and mats speed things along. A walking foot or free motion quilting foot on your sewing machine helps the folds feed evenly under the presser foot when stitching.
-
Any tips for getting perfect miter corners?
Take your time measuring and cutting – there’s no going back if you botch a corner! Some quilters mark diagonal reference lines with an air soluble pen too. It also helps to press seams open as you construct the border, instead of to one side, to keep the points crisp. If a corner still isn’t quite sharp, use a pair of small scissors to nip the dog-ear away.
-
Are miter borders harder than straight borders?
Miter borders require a little extra care compared to just sewing straight border strips, so you could say they are harder. Nevertheless, the skills used – like accurate cutting and precise sewing – are good practice. With some experience, mitered borders become way less of a hassle. Despite needing care, they make a quilt look so nice that it’s worth putting in the effort.