QUILTERS MISC. BASIC TECHNIQUES

Half Square Triangles

Take 2 dark and 2 light 4-7/8” squares, stack together in pairs right sides together. Draw diagonal line on back of light color and sew on either side of line at a quarter inch. Cut on line. Press to the dark. These should measure 4- 1/2”.

CUPBOARD STARCH

Dissolve 2-3 tsps of cornstarch in 3 Tbsp. cold water in a cup. Mix very well. Bring  1 1/2 c. water to the boil, stir cornstarch mixture into it and stir for a minute. Remove from heat and let cool. Put in spray bottle. Only keeps a couple of days.

MAKING A MITERED BORDER

 

1. Measure your quilt lengthwise and crosswise. You will measure and cut strips for the border that are equal to these measurements plus the width of the border at each end and don’t forget quarter inch seam allowances (x2). 

For example: - quilt is 60” x 80” Border is 6” wide. 60 + 12 + 1/2” for the two seam allowances. Each short sides of quilt will need 72 1/2” strip, cut 6 1/2” wide. Long sides will each need 92 1/2”.

2. Measure the borders at each end and mark a 6” square on the border strips on the wrong side of the fabric and within the 1/4” seam allowance. After marking the square, lightly draw an X from corner to corner across the square on the wrong side of fabric. (See Figure 1).

3. Sew the borders on the quilt, leaving the seam allowances loose and the extra 6: square and seam allowances at each end of the border strip extending beyond the top to flap loose at each end. Sew all four borders to the body of the quilt in this manner. Remember that the corners will remain unattached. Do not sew into the seam allowance. (See Figure 2).

4. At each corner, take the corner squares that you have not sewn down, pin the inner and outer corners. Match the points where the X crosses. To finish the miter on the corner, sew from the quilt corner to the outside corner of the border. Be careful to keep the body of the quilt from being caught into the seam. You will stitch only the border fabric. (See Figure 3).

 

 

TRADITIONAL QUILT SIZES:

Baby -- 36” x 54”
Throw -- 54” X 72”
Twin bed -- 54” X 90”
Double bed -- 72” X 90”
Queen bed -- 90” X 108”
King bed __ 108” x 108”

 

Strips you can cut from a yard of 44 - 45” fabric
2”                      17
2 1/2”              13
3”                      11
3 1/2”              10
4”                      8
4 1/2”              7
5”                      7
5 1/2”               6
6”                      5