February's Floating Borders

[Sandy L.]

My first floating border finishes at 1-1/4 inches. Is it feasible for me to match the width of the two inner floating borders so that they both finish close to the same width? I was thinking it might be more pleasing to my eye if they both finished close to the same width since they are of the same fabric. Could I make up the difference in next month's floating border if I did this?

Bonnie in Central California

[Margo C.]

I'm not sure I understand what you are trying, but if you can think of any way to make this quilt your own, I say GO FOR IT!!
Just try to end each month close to the final measurement that Sue gives in her directions so that the next month won't start out with math issues!

[Margo C.]

Okay, can any of you quilting mavens explain to me how the center measurement can be soooooo far off from the actual side measurement? :? It took a bit of teasing (more like tormenting) to get the floater strips in place! :x

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Margo C.]

Just the nature of the beast, I think, Maggie! Especially on a block with lots of seams on the bias like these stars. That's why directions always tell you to measure the center of the quilt for your borders. If you just add the borders to match the length of the outside edges, the borders will almost always be longer, and therefore you are guaranteed to have ruffled borders!!
When you have fullness like that to deal with, it helps to put the side with the fullness (in this case the center of the block) on the bottom so that the feed dogs can help you ease in the fullness, and the smaller side (in this case the floater strips) on the top as you are stitching them together. You can gently hold on to the fabrics so that the feed dogs can do their magic![list][/list:u]

It also helps to block the feathered star so that it's close to the size that Sue tells us before adding the floaters, or at least get the sides the same length as the center measurements.

[Lynn K.]

I knew there was a reason I'm waiting to do this month's border! I'll let the rest of you get all the kinks out and discussed first!

[Lynn K.]

It also helps to block the feathered star so that it's close to the size that Sue tells us before adding the floaters, or at least get the sides the same length as the center measurements.[/quote]

That makes a lot of sense! I will know better next time!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Cathy R.]

I am curious - what happens to the quilt when the center block is a different measurement than the edge of the block and you then add the floating borders. Will it ever straighten out or is this where you need to use starch and creative pressing to get the edges even with the center?

Another question - the directions have you cut the floating borders parallel to the salvage. I happen to choose fabrics for my borders where I had enough yardage for this. What do you do if you only have a smaller piece of fabric? Do you piece the border so you can still cut along the salvage or buy more fabric???

Cathy

[Cathy R.]

Cathy,

Although I had enough yardage to avoid piecing my floating borders, I pieced them anyway to save fabric. I made two cuts lengthwise on my fabric, which yielded four strips. These strips were long enough each to get two of the inner borders, with a little leftover. They were not quite long enough each to cut two of the outer borders. So, two of my outer borders were lengthen using the leftovers from cutting the inner borders.

I debated on whether to piece or just cut another strip. Since my fabric was busy enough to hide the seams, I decided to piece them. The BOM instructions do not specify cutting layouts for us to determine if there would be enough fabric to accommodate that third strip, directional prints, etc.

[Margo C.]

I am curious - what happens to the quilt when the center block is a different measurement than the edge of the block and you then add the floating borders. Will it ever straighten out or is this where you need to use starch and creative pressing to get the edges even with the center?
Cathy

Cathy, when adding the floater strips, always measure the center of your block, and cut the strips to fit that length. If you have to ease or stretch the edges of the center block, do it so that the block fits the length of the floaters, then steam block the center so that it is flat.


Right on, Nancy! The only thing I would add is that if you piece your floater strips, or any border strips, piece them on the diagonal and press the seam open to reduce the bulk.

[Cathy R.]

Thank you Margo and Nancy! I did consider piecing my last border so I could uses a different green fabric, but went with the one that I had more yardage. I designed my quilt in EQ6 so that I would know where I want which color for borders - so I will need to piece the other borders in the future.

I am learning so much about using Starch. There are so many seams that I am impressed when I am only off 1/4 or 1/2 inch in total. I am also going to look at quilts differently when they have so many borders - they may be there not just for design, but as floaters.

Cathy

[Cathy R.]

Hi Margo,

I commented on the beautiful quilt that you made for your niece. But, the more I think about it, your quilt is way too precious to be used in a college dorm. If I make a graduation quilt for my niece, it will be one that's a lot easier to make. I'll make something more precious, if and when she gets married.

[Margo C.]

Nancy, I've made HS graduation quilts for all 8 of my nieces/nephews, but this is by far the most complicated. Sarah is the youngest, so I won't be doing any more graduation quilts. I don't do wedding quilts (who knows how long they will be together?) but I am making baby quilts as the great nieces/nephews come along, and I hope that they are all used and loved to rags!

I also wanted to make a BOM showing that it's possible to make a quilt that isn't as complicated as the original design, so this quilt served two big purposes!

[Vireya J.]

I cut my floating borders on the cross-grain, because I didn't have enough of the fabric I had chosen to do it the other way. I don't think it will make a huge difference in my case.