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8 easy steps to perfect mitered corners

This week is all about making attractive cushions for holiday gifts, and yesterday I shared 3 reasons why embroidering text has become a bit of an obsession. In this post, I want to show you how to make perfect mitered corners in just 8 simple steps using the PFAFF creative icon. I promise you won’t ever be afraid to make one ever again!


It’s easy to make mitered corners with the creative icon

I decided to use the miter corner technique when I saw the lovely flower Border near the selvage of the Chloe panel from Northcott. I thought it would be nice if I could just place it on one corner of a quote to increase the size of the cushion to 16”.

The borders along each selvage make great corner designs

I started by cutting the quote I wanted from the panel. I went as big as possible and cut 11½”. I used one edge of the flower border, cutting rectangles at 3½” width and 12” in length, and picked some solid navy fabric to fill in the rest of the borders, cutting them also at 3½”.

Laying out the borders before starting to ensure I have everything I need.

Making the mitered corners

I started by adding some navy solids on the edge of both flower borders to have 3½” X 14½” rectangles. Now for the fun part.

The red line just behind the needle hole is exactly at ¼”, which means that by placing the edge of the fabric on that red line will get you started at the right spot.

1. Stitch the first border on the top of the panel, starting at the far left of the square with the flower border fabric and stitch going to the right. You need to leave your excess fabric (3½”) floating and start your stitch at ¼” from the edge of the square. Again, it’s easy to spot the location on your PFAFF ¼” foot. The red line just behind the needle hole is exactly at ¼”, which means that by placing the edge of the fabric on that red line will get you started at the right spot.

You can then press on the button for “immediate tie off” to go back one stitch and tie a knot. This will ensure that the stitch is secure moving forward. Then stitch along the edge.

The red line just in front of the needle hole is exactly at ¼”, which means that as soon as the edge of the fabric reaches that red line, you need to stop.

2. Stitch the second border on the left side of the panel, starting at the bottom of the square with the solid navy fabric and stitching upward. You need to stop your stitch at ¼” from the edge of the square.

It’s easy to spot the location on your PFAFF ¼” foot. The red line just in front of the needle hole is exactly at ¼”, which means that as soon as the edge of the fabric reaches that red line, you need to stop.

You can then press on the button for “immediate tie off” on the PFAFF creative icon. It will go back one stitch and tie a knot, then you can press the scissor to cut your threads. This will ensure that the stitch is secure moving forward.

Press the seams towards the square, leaving seams stitch-free for the mitered corner.

3. Press your seams towards the square.

Fold your “floating” flower borders diagonally to achieve the perfect mitered corner. Press with your iron.

4. Position your square right side up. Fold your “floating” flower borders diagonally to achieve the perfect mitered corner. Press with your iron. This will create a crease which will show you exactly where to stitch to get your mitered corner.

Fold your square diagonally, aligning the borders right sides together.

5. Fold your square diagonally, aligning the borders right sides together. You can pin the creases of both border together, but it’s not necessary.

Stitch outward, while ensuring that you remain in the crease.

6. Stitch outward, starting at the junction of all 3 seam allowances (both flower borders and square) while ensuring that you remain in the crease.

Press the seams open.

7. Press the seams open.

Cut excess fabric at ¼”.

8. Cut excess fabric at ¼”.

That’s how you create your perfect mitered corner.

Adding navy solid fabric borders to a perfect mitered corner

I added a navy solid fabric border on the right-hand side, then finished with a solid navy on the bottom. And I was ready to sandwich the piece and move on to the quilting.

Quilting the cushion

Quilting straight lines with Sulky 30wt sunset blendable thread

I started by quilting in the ditch using Sulky Rayon 40wt in Dark Navy. This secured the piece and ensured that it wouldn’t move or get distorted in my next step. Since I had a beautiful flower border on my top left corner, I didn’t want any visible quilting there. But I decided to add some straight line using my Sulky 100% cotton 30wt Sunset blendable thread. I started by aligning with my seam and quilted at ¾” alternating directions to reduce distortion. 

Adding the zippered back to finish my cushion.

When I was done with the quilting, I cut the piece to 16½” and added the zippered back to finish my cushion.

Finished cushion for the perfect holiday gift

It’s just the right project to perfect your mitered corner and quilting! Hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to make mitered corners in 2 simple steps using the PFAFF creative icon. Come back tomorrow when I share 2 simple ways to add zippers to your cushions.

This is part 4 of 5 in this series.
Go back to part 3: 3 reasons why embroidering text has become an obsession for me

The post 8 easy steps to perfect mitered corners appeared first on QUILTsocial.



This post first appeared on QUILTsocial - Eat, Sleep, QUILT, Repeat, please read the originial post: here

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