How to Sew Very Easy Mitered Corners for your Projects with this Simple Technique

A Comprehensive Guide to Sewing Very Easy Mitered Corners

Mitered corners are a basic sewing technique that can really elevate the look of your projects. Whether you’re making quilts, pillows, bags, or garments, mitered corners add a neat, professional finish. From my experience as a home sewer, mitered corners can seem intimidating at first but they’re actually very simple once you know the method. In this article, I’ll explain the easy steps to sew perfect mitered corners every time.

Understanding Mitered Corners

Let’s start with the basics – what exactly is a mitered corner? A mitered corner is when two pieces of fabric meet at an angle to form a sharp point. The edges are cut at 45-degree angles and then joined together. This results in a seamless connection without any bulky fabric overlapping. Mitered corners provide a clean, tailored appearance that makes your project look polished.

Sewing mitered seams can feel tricky because you have to match up cut angles precisely. However, with a little practice, you’ll be able to master the technique in no time. The key is to cut carefully, press as you go, and move slowly through each step. Taking your time will ensure you end up with perfect corners every single time.

Preparing Your Fabrics

Before you start sewing, it’s important to prepare your fabrics properly. First, iron all pieces of fabricyou’ll be using so they are nice and flat and crease-free. This will make cutting and matching up the angles much simpler.

Next, measure and mark the corners that will need mitered seams on all pieces. You can use fabric pencil, chalk, or heat erase markers – just make sure the marks will come out in the wash. Then, carefully cut the corners at 45-degree angles. A clear acrylic ruler and rotary cutter make this step much easier. Take your time and double check the angles are precise.

Sewing the Mitered Seams

Now you’re ready for the sewing! Follow these steps for perfect mitered corners every time:

1. With right sides facing, place the two cut corner pieces together with raw edges aligned and points matching up.
2. Sew the seam starting 1/4″ from the point and stitch towards the corner, pivoting at a 45 degree angle when you reach the point. Stop 1/4″ from the point on the other side of the corner.
3. Trim the excess fabric from the corner in a triangular shape, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance.
4. Finger press the seam open or use your iron to press it flat. The corner point should lie perfectly flat.
5. Continue sewing and pressing seams in the same manner for all remaining corners.

Go slowly through each step and triple check your points are matching up exactly. Taking your time will result in beautifully crisp mitered corners. Pressing as you go is also key because it sets your seams.

Tips for Perfect Mitered Corners

Here are some additional tips I’ve learned from experience to get perfect mitered corners:

1. Use a shorter stitch length (around 1.5-2mm) for more accuracy when pivoting at points.
2. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam for reinforcement and to prevent unraveling.
3. Arrange pieces so the cut sides are facing out like a picture frame as you sew – it’s easier to match points that way.
4. Press seams open or to one side with an iron as recommended for your fabric.
5. Carefully clip excess fabric from the point afterward for a supersharp appearance.

With some practice, you’ll have mitered corners down to a science. If you’re feeling lazy or in a time crunch, you could also fudge it a little and simply overlap fabrics at corners without cutting angles – it’s not quite as tailored but works in a pinch!

Real-Life Project Examples

Now that you’ve got the technique down, let me share a couple projects where mitered corners would be perfect:

For a quilting project, mitered corners on the quilt blocks and outer border would look super polished. Take your time cutting them exactly to make your quilt look professionally pieced. Mitered corners are also ideal for pillows – they give pillow shapes like hexagons really crisp lines.

When making tote bags, mitered corners on the handles and bottom hem finish it off nicely. I also love using mitered seams on garment details like the collar, cuffs, and waistband of a button-up shirt – it elevates it from basic to elegant. Get creative and you’ll find mitered corners have endless uses!

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on my experience helping other sewists, here are some common questions people have about sewing mitered corners:

Q: What if my points don’t match up perfectly?

Don’t sweat it – just take your time clipping and adjusting until they meet. Go slowly and you’ll get it.

Q: The bulk from the seam allowance won’t lay flat. What do I do?

Try clipping deeper into the seam allowance with scissors until it lays smooth. You can also fuse or bastestay tape strips on the back of bulky seams before sewing for support.

Q: Will my mitered corners unravel or stretch out over time?

Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam. You can also reinforce the points with a drop of fabric glue if working with delicate fabrics that tend to fray.

In Closing

While mitered corners may seem daunting, I hope this primer has shown you just how surprisingly straightforward and within reach they really are. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to sew professional-looking mitered corners on any project. Keep at it and have no fear – you’ve got this! Now get out there and start adding some polished points to all your sewing creations.

Please let me know if you need any other tips! Happy sewing.

How to Sew Mitered Corners Easily

FAQ

1. What are mitered corners?

   Mitered corners are where two pieces of fabric or trim meet at an angle, like the corner of a picture frame. The edges are cut on a diagonal so they form a sharp point together.

2. How do I cut mitered corners?

   To cut mitered corners, measure and mark the diagonal cuts on your fabric pieces. Then use scissors to cut along the lines at a 45 degree angle. The cuts should match up neatly when you put the pieces together. Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to get them looking perfect.

3. What tools do I need?

   The basic tools for cutting mitered corners include a ruler, fabric scissors or rotary cutter, and a cutting mat if using a rotary cutter. A miter square or protractor can help you measure the 45 degree angles accurately. It really helps to have sharp scissors or blades too.

   

4. How can I reinforce the corners?

   To reinforce mitered corners and prevent fraying, you can turn the raw edges under and topstitch close to the fold. Using bias tape or piping around the seam line gives a super tidy finish. Some folks iron on fusible web to the wrong sides before sewing. Just be sure not to glue your pieces permanently!

5. What if I mess up the cut?

   No worries – we’ve all been there. If a corner isn’t quite right, just recut it. You can also consider fudging the measurements a tad to make the pieces fit better. As the old saying goes “close enough for government work!” With practice, your corners will come out sharp as a tack.

6. Any advice for tricky fabrics?

   For stretchy knits or thick quilting cotton, try using pinking shears instead of a rotary cutter to prevent gaps. On velvet or plush fabrics, a warm iron before cutting can help the nap lie flatter. For huge cuts like on a quilt, tape the pieces to newspaper first for easier handling. With careful measuring you can mitre corners on any material.