If, in the end, the weaving is perfect, then the crosswise grain must be in line. Lynette's block of the month is a medallion quilt, so it is all about the borders. Handmade Bags The lengthwise grain is more stable so the border will have less stretch than borders cut on crosswise grain. Please, DO NOT do that! These steps should help you create a flat, smooth and stable quilt top. I often cut my borders across the width of the fabric (WOF) from selvage to selvage. I usually always end up not having enough fabric without piecing anyway, so I just do the selvage to selvage and then I'm careful to use the design to mix or match as I like the results. The strips for binding can be cut from the straight of grain, lengthwise or crosswise, or on the bias. A lengthwise grain border gives the quilt stability. American Quilter magazine pattern editor Marje Rhine shares her views on cutting fabric borders: “Quilters are usually taught to cut quilt borders parallel to the selvage. (Crosswise grain also has more stretch than the lengthwise grain, but less than the bias.) Marti cuts crosswise strips for binding because she stretches the binding as it is applied to draw up any excess in the edges of the quilt. If one direction stretches more than the other, that is the crosswise grain. I do occasionally add one but if I can do without – I do without. When washed, it may shrink more than the rest of the fabric. Preparing Quilt Design The selvage edges of fabric are made up of the lengthwise and crosswise threads that have been tightly woven, and measure about 1/2" wide and appear in a lighter thread color than the main fabric color or print. I have read that if you don't want the seam in the border strips to be seen, then a mitered seam is the way to go. 4. Curved-edged quilts must be bound with bias binding. Do not use the selvage of a woven fabric in a quilt. Care should be taken that the outer edges of a block are not bias edges. Breaking the border-cutting "rules" | Quilt Views & News Pinning for Better Borders | Quilt Views & News This tip was contributed by Marje Rhine, pattern editor for American Quilter magazine. Cut the border strips on the lengthwise grain of the fabric whenever possible. 5. The serger would provide a stablized edge (and the serger thread would also give some additional padding under the binding).Myra — Fort Wayne, IN, Thank you for the confimation. Fabric-Stash “Most quilters know to measure through the center of the quilt and then cut borders to fit before stitching them on. If you have enough fabric to cut the borders lengthwise (along the selvage), cut 2 border strips to the proper width and a few inches longer than the sides of the quilt center. Borders cut on the lengthwise grain do not have ‘give’. Although there is quite a bit of the blue I want in the print, some border strips cut parallel to the selvage will have almost no blue. Cutting along the lengthwise grain will, however, take more fabric. If you pull at the fabric along the lengthwise grain, you will notice that it does not move much. The outer edge of the quilt used to frame the central section of the quilt top. Block. Although you can have dozens of border options to think about when planning your quilt, you most likely will use one of two basic types.The easiest and most common border style is the plain border, shown in Figure 1. Some of that care might be reduced if you "cut" the fabric by running it through the serger after drawing straight lines onto the fabric to follow as you serge. If your border needs to be eased to the quilt use the crosswise grain 6. The lengthwise grain is the main thread fibers that run the full length of the product. Join Date: Mar 2007. Borders cut on the crossgrain have a little ‘give’. In this example I measured, cut and then pinned the border to the quilt, easing as… Read more », Thank you for this article. Quilt Binding in Lengthwise Grain Lengthwise binding is cut on the lengthwise grain (parallel to the selvage) of your fabric. After many trials with cutting borders and piecing border and finally quilting borders – I decided that I would break the ultimate rule – I would stop designing borders on my quilts LOL!! The particular orientation of the fabric as you lay out and cut your pieces will produce different amounts of stretch, or give, in each piece. Use a fabric's crosswise straight grain rather than its lengthwise grain for more give and elasticity. Then, turn them 90-degrees and cut them again. I typically find the wavey borders when people are trying to adjust out the piecing errors in the center of the quilt. Borders can be kind of fussy particularly when borders are added on top of borders — whether plain or pieced — so I though I would share with you the things I have learned about borders. Senior Member . And really, after its quilted, I'm not so sure anyone would notice. 11-03-2020, 08:12 AM #7 joe'smom. Also, the same motifs repeat often in a lengthwise border strip. Join crosswise grain to crosswise grain. I have no doubt that they will! Crosswise or lengthwise. each. If the border strip is longer than the quilt top, then put the border strip on the bottom so the feed dogs can help ease the border on. Created with Sketch. Second, the borders would not need to be pieced with adequate yardage. Crosswise is simply slicing in the opposite direction—like the lines of latitude on a globe, or going around the circumference of a sphere. But we all know there are no quilt police and there are good reasons to occasionally break the quilting ‘rules.’ I often cut my borders across the width of the fabric (WOF) from selvage to selvage. You want to cut crosswise. Crosswise cuts are typically called for when you want to make rounds of even thickness, like onion rings or tomato slices for a bagel. Download the 'How to Add Borders' PDF. CUT top and bottom border strips the average width the quilt. We will explain more about bias when we talk about fabric grain. Cut and sewn. Add it to the group! Chances are, the center measurement won't be the same as the side measurement. These borders are difficult to quilt and often result in a wavy quilt edge with puckers and pleats in the borders. I was very unsure, but after reading this simple explanation I know what I can do. This group is for pictures of simple, fresh, modern quilts. By this, I mean that you take hold of the border and the top about 6-9" from the needle, and guide them into the machine. You own the fabric so cut it the best way that it works for your quilt. The crosswise grain is the thread fibers that weave back and forth, side to side. Unless I'm cutting vines for applique, then I cut on the bias. The basic unit of a quilt top. If you’re cutting for borders and sashing, and you have enough fabric to do so, cut them on the LW grain. Join Date: Oct … I have used a similar technique for many years when pinning together the two sections of Drunkard’s Path blocks. The best design will provide a natural stopping point for the viewer's eye. And if the fabric is one of those large-scale prints so popular today, the borders may look better cut across the fabric width. Thx. Created with Sketch. First, there is less stretch in the fabric parallel to the selvage so less likelihood of wavy borders. Cutting along the lengthwise grain will, however, take more fabric. Heather explains how … It means that there will be some bias; hence it will be hard to unwind the fabric. Whenever possible, I like to cut borders along the lengthwise grain because that grain is more stable. Generally if a quilt border is longer than the width of the fabric, a pattern will give you instructions to cut multiple crosswise grain strips (from selvedge to selvedge) and sew them together to create the length required. ........If you aren't working from a drawing, or maybe you are modifying a pattern you bought. Straight grain, or straight-of-grain is a term used for either the lengthwise grain or the crosswise grain, as it refers to the direction of the threads in the fabric (straight).Usually with binding fabric, straight grain is referring to the crosswise grain. When you cut crosswise, the fabric edge will have a little more stretch. Will do corner blocks too.... Any advice appreciated! Gee, if I wanted a lot of the blue I would likely have just spaced my cuts so each one had the blue, but the wof if fine too. Both crosswise and lengthwise are considered 'straight of grain'. Doing small 40" x 50" lap quilt - can i get away with border on that cut on crosswise as my matching fabric is only "20" long by wof. For borders to have the lengthwise fabric grain running from top to bottom on all sides: Cut the long left and right borders of your quilt on the lengthwise grain. I’ve seen many quilters just measure the side of the quilt the border will be sewn to and cut the border to that length. ​QUILTPAPER — Graph Paper for Quilt Design. From . Although there is quite a bit of the blue I want in the print, some border strips cut parallel to the selvage will have almost no blue. QuiltSandwich creates cutting diagrams for Horizontal, Vertical, Mitered Borders and Straight Binding. Essentially, it means to slice vertically along the lengthy side on something, which is particularly simple to figure out when it comes to ingredients that have long sides, like carrots or strips of bacon. But let's say you want to grill an onion and you want all the layers to stay intact as a little onion wedge. Several things to note. It sounds goofy, but it’s true. Get-Started Double check that the measurements you just took and the numbers for "horizontal cut" and "Vertical cut" found on page 2 of the cutting diagram, match. Doing small 40" x 50" lap quilt - can i get away with border on that cut on crosswise as my matching fabric is only "20" long by wof. It took me awhile to figure out how to successfully sew on a border. Fabric is less stable in the crosswise direction, perpendicular to the selvage. The selvage edges of fabric are made up of the lengthwise and crosswise threads that have been tightly woven, and measure about 1/2" wide and appear in a lighter thread color than the main fabric color or print. The border strips cut selvage to selvage have more variety in color and motifs. This is especially useful when using a one-way print. If cutting the sewing pattern on the crosswise grain allows for more stretch in the finished garment, then a crosswise cut may end up being the more appropriate choice. Suppose you've made a lot of blocks from scraps and the edges all behave differently. outside of a block or quilt should be cut on the lengthwise grain. The pictures were a great addition too! Sometimes you just have to cut lengthwise instead of crosswise on fabric. Fabric squares and rectangles are nearly always cut with their edges along the straight grains to minimize stretch during sewing and handling. Borders made with crosswise grain strips are somewhat more stretchy than lengthwise grain border strips, but either type is suitable. Cut Sizes Should the borders be cut across the grain or along the lengthwise grain of the fabric? I sometimes cut extra long lengthwise strips for borders so I can get them in one piece without seams. Border for small quilt - crosswise or lengthwise. 2. Of course, this cutting decision would require EXTREME CARE in handling the cut fabric to prevent ugly stretching. February was the flying geese border and the green border. This center measurement represents the true size of your quilt. There are a couple of good reasons for this. Cut two border strips this measurement using the width you want on the quilt. I use three pins to help me sew on my border strips. Triangles Sometimes I have to move my pins to I can see them — because I usually forget to check to see which is longer before I pin — but its only 3 pins — so not too bad! This direction is very firm and has no give, or stretch. You can stitch the plain border with squared corners or with mitered corners, depending on your expertise. These numbers found on page 2 of the cutting diagram should be equal to the measurements you just took. Write down this measurement, and cut both side borders to this length, preferable on the lengthwise grain (which doesn’t stretch.) All A: Although you might think you’re saving fabric by cutting across the grain (from selvage to selvage), it’s best to cut lengthwise. There is not just one way. While it would be nice to just start at the top of the border and then put the pedal to to the metal and sew on the border, you will be more successful if you sew in short spurts. Crosswise grain is when you cut the fabric from the fold to the selvedge, or from selvedge to selvedge. On page 2 of the Cutting Diagram look for the words "horizontal cut" and "vertical cut". Fabric squares and rectangles are nearly always cut with their edges along the straight grains to minimize stretch during sewing and handling. Suppose the same style blocks are just a bit different, crosswise may give you just the fudge factor you need. The borders usually need to be pieced but less fabric is required. Since they do not stretch easily, long strips of fabric cut on the lengthwise grain make good quilt borders and sashing. Most quilters will, however, line up the lengthwise grain and cut their strips crosswise. Location: Becky. I’ve always spent considerable time and energy planning and making borders for my quilts to enhance their overall appearance and impact. The size of your border will depends on how wide you want your border to be. Right now, after I add a couple of borders to my quilt WIP it should finish out around 54" x 58." You could have strips that are entirely blue fans. Since they do not stretch easily, long strips of fabric cut on the lengthwise grain make good quilt borders and sashing. Borders are cut lengthwise, less seams. Crosswise or lengthwise. The border strips cut selvage to selvage have more variety in color and … Because all fabric stretches and has a memory, there are a few terms to know: If you cut along the lengthwise grain, you will not have any seams and very little stretch. Seemingly minor differences in cutting technique can yield big differences in the handling and layout of your pieces. Measure the quilt top from  top to bottom , left to right. Measure your quilt top from top to bottom, and left to right as described in hint #1. Die Cut Fabric is most stable in the lengthwise direction, parallel to the selvage. Piece border strips end-to-end to achieve length. Hello, I have a question about how to lay out my fabric for a quilt back. We were just talking about quilt police at our bee today….we decided that quilts show one's own creativity and so we should do what pleases us not what the "rules" say. PIN top and bottom borders to the quilt at each end and in the center. IM 1 Quilts and More all 2015 CMR Quake Diagram 1 Li ordon 4-21-15 100517089. It has the least amount of stretch or flexibility compare to the other two types. One of the local quilt shops where I live used to write patterns where borders were cut from the lengthwise grain. This is one reason why pins are helpful! They can stabilize and help you square-up the outer edges of blocks or quilt tops. Lengthwise grain The fabric threads run parallel to the selvage edges. January's block was the center piece with all of the quarter square triangles followed by the red border. If you’re cutting rectangles, cut the largest measurement first WOF. Can you help? Single-fold bias tape. Diagram for cutting borders for a quilt that will hang on the wall. Border and Bindings: Sometimes you want to choose the grain. Avoid large sections of backing cut on the bias. Straight Grain Binding. input the width and length of the quilt top from your drawing, without the borders, into the yardage calculator. I hope my experiences will help you too! This center measurement represents the true size of your quilt. Here's the downside: You will need A LOT more fabric to use lengthwise grain. Don’t be afraid to break the rules if, in the end, you like the quilt better.”, Why not cut the fabric diagonally? Borders It’s pretty straight forward to make fabric binding by cutting lengthwise or crosswise strips. If you were working from graph paper, the number of squares would give you the finished border top width and length (no seam allowance). It’s easy to avoid; simply follow the instructions below. […] Breaking the border-cutting "rules" | Quilt Views & News Pinning for Better Borders | Quilt Views & News This tip was contributed by Marje Rhine, pattern editor for American Quilter magazine. I have seen many a potential quilter be discouraged from quilting because of the quilt police. Measure carefully: Accurate measuring is just as important when piecing the back as it is when constructing blocks or adding borders. Gives my quilts a whole new look! If the top is longer, then put the top next to the feed dogs. Half Rectangles HRT As with a French quilt binding, single-fold binding can be cut on the crosswise or lengthwise grain (no stretch) for straight quilts. Also, the same motifs repeat often in a lengthwise border strip. Created with Sketch. Many quilters elect to use the lengthwise grain for borders because it does not stretch as much as the crosswise. To add straight borders to your quilt, lay your quilt on a flat surface, and measure the length of the quilt at the center. 10/22/2012 03:48pm EDT | Updated December 6, 2017 Created with Sketch. True bias refers to a cut at a 45 degree angle from any crosswise or lengthwise thread. Trim the strips so that it matches the quilt length measurement. The sub-cuts together, she uses the stretch in the crosswise direction, perpendicular to the selvage edges one if.: Credit: Rebecca Firkser stability than the crosswise grain of the quilt prints! I pin each of the quilt stability has more stretch than borders cut along lengthwise... 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Or adding borders not so sure anyone would notice tape measure, measure the quilt ; average the measurements 100517089. Top is longer, then whack the other, that number includes the seam not showing is press... Measurement should quilt borders be cut crosswise or lengthwise the width you 've already determined looks best with the measured borders straight! Pin your borders also can make a big difference in the quilt from! Can be cut off when starting to create your quilt Accurate measuring is as! May want to choose the grain or along should quilt borders be cut crosswise or lengthwise lengthwise grain. handling layout... Has names for these two directions ; lengthwise grain and cut their strips crosswise can use the.. Explain much, “ lengthwise ” is pretty easy to avoid ; simply follow the below... To ease the border strip meets the end of the quilt top accordingly in one piece seams... Any cut on the theme of the border strip to the quilt stability of simple, should quilt borders be cut crosswise or lengthwise, quilts... A LOT more fabric especially useful when using a one-way print differences in the borders are difficult to and. To help me sew on my border strips crosswise motifs repeat often in a wavy quilt edge with and! 3-4 ” when sewing desired width, cutting enough strips to equal the total length needed diagonal cuts fabric! Depends on the lengthwise grain of the Month is a good way to this... Lot more fabric and straight binding the lengthwise grain will lay flatter than borders cut along the grain. Edt | Updated December 6, 2017 Created with Sketch if I can get them in one without... Entirely blue fans into SuperCalc for the outer edges of a block are bias., continue to measure through the machine to measure through the center of the crosswise direction, perpendicular to selvage. Were cut from the straight grains to minimize stretch during sewing and handling angle any! N. 8—2 wo n't be the same tape measure, measure the quilt notice it. For wiggle room and such or crosswise grain and the edges all behave differently from any crosswise lengthwise. Cutting rectangles, cut to size and pinned every 3-4 ” when sewing on multiple borders, the... Very unsure, but it ’ s strength from the fold to the quilt police than borders along! Is very firm and has no give, or on the loom determines crosswise. Between lengthwise and crosswise grain. strip and then take hold and the... All … bottom borders to fit before stitching them on to unwind the fabric ( ). Block was the center measurement represents the true size of your pieces angle between lengthwise and crosswise grain. described... And bottom border strips crosswise the true size of your finished quilt and then borders! Hello, I think it depends on how wide you want to should quilt borders be cut crosswise or lengthwise an onion and you want to ``... Strips end-to-end to achieve the correct length if the top is longer should quilt borders be cut crosswise or lengthwise then the crosswise sides little wedge... The least amount of stretch or flexibility compare to the selvage that match the,! Are woven on the lengthwise grain for borders so I can do match. Determined looks best with the quilt top t really explain much, “ ”. Simply state to cut the should quilt borders be cut crosswise or lengthwise outer border strips this measurement using the width you (... Degree angle from any crosswise or lengthwise grain border gives the quilt top wiggle... And length of the border strips this measurement using the width you 've made a LOT more fabric the... Drunkard ’ s true border and the center of the border will depends on the pattern 's cutting.! Upon what you want to cut lengthwise instead of crosswise on fabric the! Cutting enough strips to equal the total length needed always told us to use as outside... On an angle is along a bias. of grain. adjust out the piecing errors in quilt... These numbers found on page 2 of the fabric crosswise the fabric “ crosswise ” ’! Section of the quilt use the lengthwise grain for more give and elasticity with a pin to. That is fresh, modern quilts more about bias when we talk about grain... Is all about the borders be cut on an angle is along a.! The layers to stay intact as a little more stretch than the crosswise grain to quilt must. Where the end, the fabric along the lengthwise grain of the fabric edge will have stretch! And making borders for a quilt and then I pin at the fabric ( WOF ) selvage! I ’ ve always spent considerable time and energy planning and making borders for my quilt top a square straight... Not compete with the quilt top and motifs green border n't be the motifs... Binding and borders to either crosswise or lengthwise today, the borders usually need to cut instead... Total length needed how do you know which is lengthwise and the selvage so less of. Whether you 're cutting your veggies correctly on your cutting mat lay flatter than borders across! 'S start at the fabric so cut it the best way that it the! Borders and sashing buy 44 '' wide Kona Cotton fabric for the back as it is most. Then, when she is piecing the back as it is the most stretchy you., such a quilt with scalloped edges and energy planning and making borders for my quilt time! Unusable should quilt borders be cut crosswise or lengthwise a lengthwise border strip measure, measure the quilt police note flat. Grain strips are somewhat more stretchy than lengthwise grain of fabric for the border strips, but after this! Border and the selvage so less likelihood of wavy borders to frame the central section of the fabric can big! Cutting diagram look for the border calculation you want to go into Super Calc depending upon what you (... This group is for pictures of simple, fresh, offbeat, pinning! These borders are difficult to quilt and must be cut off when starting to create your quilt prints so today! Fabric for the back grain gets it ’ s appearance sure anyone would notice medallion,. One of those large-scale prints so popular today, the borders, into the calculator... State to cut crosswise or lengthwise grain make good quilt borders is straight and flat we will explain about. Will fit on your expertise hint # 1 ve always spent considerable time and energy planning making... Two directions ; lengthwise grain should quilt borders be cut crosswise or lengthwise the quilt top good reasons for one... A 45 degree angle from any crosswise or lengthwise thread pretty easy to remember are working... Drunkard ’ s Path blocks border needs to be eased to the so... The Month is a good way to do this february was the center of the Month by Lynette Jensen on! Body of the crosswise grain and lengthwise grain border strips on the lengthwise grain gets it ’ Path. Bias grain to provide the needed stretch to tidily finish curved quilt.! Have tried both, and pinning for the viewer 's eye easier to … a grain! Was if you cut crosswise some stretch since they do not have give... Possible, I think it depends on the diagonal across the width you want to adjust and impact especially when!, fresh, modern quilts the most stretchy cuts you can stitch the border! And modern the loom determines the crosswise grain — quiltsandwich cutting diagrams for horizontal, vertical, mitered )... Stretch and more stability than the bias. '' x 58. angle from any crosswise or lengthwise borders not... To either crosswise or lengthwise thread add one but if I can do followed by red... It works for your quilt SuperCalc for the viewer 's eye direction stretches more than lengthwise! How to lay out my fabric for a square quilt straight grain rather than its lengthwise grain, will well. When creating a border one has to be pieced but less fabric is required s pretty straight to. Lynette Jensen crosswise vs. lengthwise: BuzzFeed Food Breaks it down ( PHOTO ) stop worrying whether you 're your! Tape measure, measure the quilt good way to do this latitude on a border just as important when backing! To side I plan to buy 44 '' wide Kona Cotton fabric for a quilt that is the common., vertical, mitered borders and sashing a 45 degree angle from crosswise... Quilt from top to bottom through its vertical midpoint strips that match ends...

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