Border Matters 03: mitres

If I have sufficient fabric I like to make a mitred border. You need the length of the side of the quilt plus two border widths for each one. I add a little bit extra. 

Here illustrated with my quilt.

First I mark the seam lines at the corners on the reverse side of the quilt top. Where they cross is the starting and stopping point of the seam stitching.

Reverse of top piece

Then match the centre of the border strip to the middle of the edge of the quilt  and pin. 

Centre fold of border strip matched
to top piece centre.

Pinned

The rest of the pinning is done with the back of  the quilt top uppermost and right sides together.














Sew all four border strips stopping and starting where the seams cross. I do two opposite sides and then the remaining two.

 

First two sides. Note stop and start points.

Last two sides pinned at the centre ready to turn over and
sew on the reverse.

Now draw or press a 45 degree line from the marked point to the outer edge of the border strip, using the lines on your ruler or a set square.

Using a set square. note side of the
set square is aligned with the edge of
the border trip.

Using a ruler.

Place the two adjacent strips alongside each other and pin.
Sew along your marked line either back stitching or using a smaller stitch before you reach the point.

Ready to sew: borders pinned together and sides aligned.

Open out and press. 

You see the excess length I cut
poking out

Trim away excess fabric.

Be careful!