How to Tame a Wavy Border on a Longarm Machine
Starch and steam are my best friends on a quilt that needs a little help. Lots of piecing, hand stitching and over handling of fabric, can cause a quilt to change shape. Sometimes this isn’t known until a top is on the frame and the quilting has begun. This particular quilt was found by some friends at a garage sale for $5!! Oh my gosh, all that piecing! I finished it for their church raffle coming soon. All the starch and steam was worth the beautiful finish. I’ve got a video at the end to show the flattening process.
Before starch there is quite a bit of wave to the border.
This is after the starch and steam trick. I did have about 8 ‘sessions’ with the starch and iron. If it doesn’t happen on the first go over, don’t be afraid to do it again. After the first spray of starch, I only use water on the next rounds.
The finish is fabulous! I used thjis digitized design by Anne Bright Designs, Snowballs. It’s a great design that also settles down any of the puckering that might have been in the quilt top.
There you have it! If you’ve ever had this wavy border on a quilt top, check out my YouTube video.
Have a great day everyone!!
Comments
Leave a Comment
Top Posts & Pages
Susan S
November 9, 2018
Amazing that it could shrink that much. 8 sessions of ironing,etc? Your patience and persistence is legendary
Kelly
November 9, 2018
HA, thanks! I’m persistent when I have to be!!!
Roxanne Dear
November 9, 2018
Hi Kelly! This is great! Ive often used this trick on the ironing board first if I catch it…I like this much better. Squaring on the frame is wonderful. Thank you! I have a few questions: Where did you get the tool tray? I love it! Also, how did you video this hands free? Im trying to figure out a system and failing miserbly. Thank you!
Kelly
November 9, 2018
Hi Roxanne, tool tray is from Amazon. Use the words ‘adjustable tool tray’. I’ve got the link somewhere on my FB page. I also got a hands free phone holder on Amazon. I’ll send you the link through FB messenger!
Dawn
February 6, 2019
I am doing my first “custom” quilt. I am on my last wide border and it is wavy. Not horrible but wavy enough. It is clearly a piecing issue. This video was so incredibly helpful. Getting ready to try it now. Will follow up comment to let you know how it goes. Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge and tips with all of us.
Kelly
February 6, 2019
Awesome Dawn, well, not the wavy border, but excited you are trying this. It should work perfectly! Yes, let me know!!!