A mitered corner is a corner that comes together at a precise 45° angle, like a picture frame. This is considered an advanced technique, but with practice, you can master it. The beautiful seam is worth the extra brain power.

Like many do-it-yourself techniques, with mitering, a successful end comes from a well-planned beginning. As they say: measure twice, cut once.

Cutting the Borders

First, you need to calculate how large to cut the border strips. These strips will need to be quite a bit wider than the center piece, so they can accommodate the mitering.

1. Start by measuring the piece you will be attaching the borders to.
2. Then decide how wide you want your finished border to be.
3. Add this number to the center measurement twice (once for each side).
4. Then add 2 inches for the mitering. This is the standard rule-of-thumb for mitering; it takes an extra 2 inches of fabric to make it work.
5. Lastly, you will have to add your seam allowance (1" when using a ½" seam allowance - because you are making two ½" seams).

This is best explained with an example:

1. The center piece I want to add my border to measures 12" x 12".
   
2. I want my finished border width to be 4" (remember, when you cut the strip to width you will add 1" for your two ½" seam allowances).
   
3. I add 12 (center piece) + 4 (one side) + 4 (the other side) = 20.
   
4. 20 + 2 + 2  accounts for the extra width needed for mitering = 24.
   
5. 24 + 1" for the two ½" seam allowances.

In my example, each border strip would need to measure 25" long x 5" wide. My center piece has, of course, four sides, so I will cut four strips.

Attaching the Borders

1. Fold each border strip in half lengthwise, and mark the center with a pin.
2. Fold the center piece in half and mark it with a pin.
   
3. Match up the center of the border strip and the center of the center piece. With right sides together, pin these pieces together.
   
4. Sew borders to the top and bottom of the center, stopping and starting ¼"- ½" from each corner. Be sure to back tack at the ends to secure the seams.
   
5. Repeat steps 1 - 4 to sew borders to the remaining two sides.
   
6. Fold the entire piece in half diagonally with right sides together. This will make the two adjacent border strips situated on top of each other with right sides together, and will create a 45° angle between the two pieces.
   
7. Using a ruler and marking pen, mark the 45° seam line. Make sure the borders are lined up evenly, and pin along the drawn seam line.
   
8. Starting your stitches in the center piece, stitch along the marked seam line. Begin your first stitch in the last stitch you made when attaching the borders. (This will make sure there is no gap between the normal border line and the miter.)
   
9. Open the borders to check that there is not gap in the seams. 
   
10. Re-fold diagonally and trim the excess fabric from the back of the mitered border, leaving a ¼"- ½" seam allowance.
    
11. Repeat steps 6-10 for the three remaining corners.
    

Comments (9)

Theresa S said:

... Thank you for such wonderful instructions. You have made it so easy!

December 05, 2011

Molly P said:

... I'm making a baby quilt for a friend of mine and I want to add a satin bias tape border to mimic the border from my daughter's blanket. My daughter's blanket has mitered corners with no finished edge. It's one seamless stitch. I can't for the life of me figure out how it was done. This tutorial that shows a mitered border comes close to what I'm looking for, but I'm wanting to know how I would fold that over to make the bias tape look. I'm not sure if this is making sense to you, but if you have any tips I would appreciate it. Thanks!

November 11, 2011

Debbers said:

... Thank you this finally makes sense.

September 21, 2011

kendra said:

... Love it! As a beginner, I couldn't ask for simpler instructions! Thank you

September 15, 2011

ADM said:

... Finally! Directions I can actually make sense of and follow!

August 23, 2011

Rita B. said:

... I have looked at a gazillion sites for this project and this is by far the most concise and easy to follow set of instructions. You have made my day. Thank YOu

August 07, 2011

Pixi Bowen said:

... Have been looking for these instructions for days ... thank you very much, just what I needed

April 14, 2011

Janine said:

... Excellent instructions thanks!

October 27, 2010

di said:

... just what i needed to figure it out and instructions clear thank you

October 16, 2010

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